> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.robbu.global/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Introduction to Templates

> Templates are pre-approved WhatsApp messages used to start marketing, utility, and authentication conversations.

# Introduction to Templates

`Templates` (message templates) are used in template messages to open marketing, utility, and authentication conversations with your customers. Unlike free-form messages, template messages are the only type of message that can be sent to customers who have not yet sent you a message or who have not sent you a message in the last 24 hours.

## Categories

Each template belongs to a category. The Positus public API accepts template creation only in the categories below:

| Category | Code | Use |
| - | - | - |
| Marketing | `MARKETING` | Promotions, news, and commercial communications |
| Services | `UTILITY` | Transactional messages and follow-ups on an order or service |
| Authentication | `AUTHENTICATION` | Sending verification codes (one-time passwords) |

<Info>
  Meta may recategorize a template during review. For this reason, the category returned by the API may differ from the category sent at creation. See the [attributes](/en/positus/templates/attributes) for the complete list of categories.
</Info>

## Lifecycle and Approval

Templates must be approved by Meta before they can be sent. A template created through the API normally starts with the `PENDING` status and evolves according to the review and usage:

* **Approved (`APPROVED`)**: the template is cleared for sending.
* **Rejected (`REJECTED`)**: the template did not pass the review.
* **Paused, disabled, or limited**: templates can also be changed automatically based on customer feedback and engagement. While the template is not eligible, it cannot be sent in a template message.
* **Deleted (`DELETED`)**: the template was removed.

The complete list of statuses is on the [attributes](/en/positus/templates/attributes#status) page. Each relevant change generates a [webhook](/en/positus/templates/webhooks) event in the workspace.

<Info>
  For Meta's guidelines on templates, see the [template guidelines](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/message-templates/guidelines). For Meta's complete documentation, see the [template management API](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/business-management-api/message-templates).
</Info>

## Learn More

Explore topics related to WhatsApp Templates:

* [Attributes](/en/positus/templates/attributes)
* [Templates API](/en/positus/templates/api)
* [Bulk Sending](/en/positus/templates/bulk-sending)
* [Webhooks](/en/positus/templates/webhooks)
* [Examples](/en/positus/templates/examples)


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