Conversational components

Updated June 2026 5 min read

The little touches that make a first chat feel welcoming — an automatic greeting, tappable starter questions, and quick commands that guide customers to what they need.

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Quick facts

Welcome message
Auto-greets first-timers
Ice-breakers
Tappable starter questions
Commands
Quick '/' shortcuts
Goal
Guide the first chat

Conversational components shape the start of a chat. A welcome message auto-greets a customer on their first message. Ice-breakers are tappable starter questions that show before anyone types. Commands are quick '/' shortcuts customers can use to jump to common actions. Together they make first contact feel guided, not blank.

In simple language: These are the friendly nudges at the start of a chat — a hello that sends itself, and tappable options so customers aren't staring at an empty box.

Who should read this?

  • Anyone whose customers go quiet after the first hello
  • Businesses wanting a polished first impression
  • Teams reducing repetitive 'what do you offer?' questions

For A restaurant

  • Welcome message with hours and a menu link
  • Ice-breakers: 'See menu', 'Book a table', 'Order now'

For An institute

  • Welcome message introducing courses
  • Ice-breakers: 'Course fees', 'Demo class', 'Talk to counsellor'

The hardest moment in any chat is the blank screen. A new customer opens your WhatsApp and… now what? Conversational components fill that gap warmly.

Welcome messages

A welcome message sends itself the first time someone messages you. Instead of silence, they get an instant, friendly hello — even at 11 PM.

Example: a new customer messages a restaurant at midnight. They instantly see: “Hi! 👋 We’re open 11 AM–11 PM. Here’s our menu — how can we help?” No one had to be awake.

Tip: set a sensible re-welcome interval so regulars aren’t greeted from scratch every visit.

Ice-breakers

Ice-breakers are tappable starter questions that appear before the customer types anything. They turn a blank box into a guided menu.

Example: the restaurant shows three ice-breakers — “See menu”, “Book a table”, “Order now”. The customer taps instead of wondering what to say.

Pick three that match your most-asked questions.

Commands

Commands are quick shortcuts a customer types with a / to jump to common things — like a small built-in menu. They suit businesses where customers return often and know what they want.

Blank chat  →  welcome message (hello)
            →  ice-breakers (tap a starter)
            →  commands (jump to an action)

Set these up once and your first-chat experience guides customers automatically — pair them with a short flow to capture details, or automate replies via the Auto Reply feature.

Keep reading

Related questions people ask

What is a WhatsApp welcome message?

An automatic greeting sent the first time a new customer messages your business — so they're welcomed instantly instead of waiting in silence.

What are WhatsApp ice-breakers?

Tappable starter questions shown before the customer types, like 'See menu' or 'Book a table', so they can begin with one tap.

What are WhatsApp commands?

Quick shortcuts customers type with a '/' to jump to common actions or information, like a small built-in menu of options.

Key takeaways

  • Welcome messages auto-greet first-time customers.
  • Ice-breakers offer tappable starter questions.
  • Commands are quick '/' shortcuts to common actions.
  • Together they make the first chat guided, not blank.
Published: June 2026 Last reviewed: June 2026 Reviewed by: ChatMitra WhatsApp API Team

Sources: ChatMitra auto reply & welcome, Meta conversational components docs

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