WhatsApp (pywhats)

Drive a WhatsApp account as a linked companion device (like WhatsApp Web) from async Python via pywhats (pre-alpha, text/image only). This is an unofficial multi-device client — not the official WhatsApp Business / Cloud API.

CLI entrypoint: scripts/wa.py (auto-bootstraps a managed venv on first run).

Mental model

• Pairing = one-time QR scan. wa.py pair shows an ASCII QR; scan it in WhatsApp → Linked Devices. Credentials persist to $PYWHATS_HOME/<session>.session (+ .signal.db).
• Resuming = silent. Later commands reconnect with the same session — no QR.
• JIDs address chats. Bare phone 15550001234 → 15550001234@s.whatsapp.net; groups use ...@g.us.
• Events are how you receive. wa.py listen prints one JSON object per event.