Channel Setup

Connect CowNojo to the messaging app your team already uses. Pick a channel below and follow the steps.

💬

WhatsApp via Twilio

Sandbox free · Production ~$1/mo
ℹ️ WhatsApp links each phone number to one farm role. The farm owner sets up first, then shares the Farm ID with workers so they can join.
1

Create a Twilio account

Go to twilio.com/try-twilio and sign up for free.

Free trial gives you ~$15 credit — enough to test and go live.

2

Activate the WhatsApp Sandbox

  1. In Twilio Console → Messaging → Try it out → Send a WhatsApp message
  2. You'll see a sandbox number (e.g. +1 415 523 8886) and a join code like join copper-fish
  3. From your WhatsApp, text that join code to the sandbox number to opt in
  4. Anyone testing must do this opt-in step first
💡 For production (real business use), you'll need to purchase a dedicated Twilio number and apply for WhatsApp Business approval — takes 1–3 days.
3

Set the webhook URL

  1. Twilio Console → Messaging → Settings → WhatsApp Sandbox Settings
  2. Under "When a message comes in", paste:
https://cownojo.com/api/webhook/whatsapp
  1. Set Method to HTTP POST
  2. Click Save
4

Add Twilio credentials to Vercel

In your Vercel dashboard → Project → Settings → Environment Variables, add:

TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID=ACxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN=your_auth_token_here

Find these in Twilio Console → Account Info (top of dashboard). Redeploy after adding.

5

Test it

  1. Text the sandbox number from WhatsApp
  2. CowNojo responds with a welcome message
  3. Type /setup My Ranch to create your farm
  4. Share your Farm ID with workers — they text /join [Farm ID]
6

Go live (production)

Optional
  1. Twilio Console → Phone Numbers → Buy a Number → filter by WhatsApp capability
  2. Submit WhatsApp Business profile (name, description, category)
  3. Twilio reviews in 1–3 business days
  4. Once approved, point the same webhook URL at your new number
  5. Workers text your number directly — no opt-in code required

Commands — Same on Every Channel

/setup [Farm Name]Create your farm (owner)
/join [Farm ID]Join an existing farm (worker)
/myidSee your Farm ID
reg COW001 Angus 2023-05-01Register an animal
log COW001 vaccine BVDLog a health event
weight COW001 450kgRecord body weight
note COW001 looks thin todayAdd a field note
[send a photo]AI body condition assessment
statusFull AI herd summary
helpShow all commands