Use this as the first stop for WhatsApp work. Keep the source boundary sharp:

wacrawl: primary WhatsApp Desktop archive. Read-only, best local history, no network, no sending.
wacli: linked-device accounts. Use for alt accounts, live sync, auth, sending, chat/group mutation, and WhatsApp Web protocol questions.

If the user names wacrawl or wacli repo work specifically, read that tool's own skill too.

Routing

Primary WhatsApp reads/search/history: use wacrawl.
Read/unread counts from WhatsApp Desktop: use wacrawl; it has chat-level unread counts, not per-message read state.
Freshness-sensitive primary reads: check wacrawl status; run wacrawl sync when asked or when current data matters.
Alt accounts such as me, molty, or named stores: use wacli --account NAME.
Sending, reactions, presence, archive/pin/mute/mark-read, group/channel mutations: use wacli only after explicit user intent.
Comparing coverage between sources: treat wacrawl as Desktop archive truth for primary history, and wacli as linked-device/live coverage with protocol limits.

whatsapp