Overview

This guide walks through setting up the automated WhatsApp → AI → Notion system for founder requests.

How it works:

1. Founder texts the Raba WhatsApp number
2. Twilio receives the message and sends it to Make.com
3. Make.com calls Claude API to understand the request and match playbooks
4. Claude drafts a helpful reply with playbook links
5. Make.com sends the reply via Twilio
6. Make.com logs the request to Notion (📬 Founder Requests)
7. If no playbook match or complex request → sends you a notification

Step 1: Set Up Twilio (~15 min)

1.1 Create Twilio Account

• Go to twilio.com and sign up
• Verify your email and phone number
• You'll get $15 free trial credit

1.2 Get a WhatsApp-Enabled Number

• In Twilio Console → Messaging → Try it Out → Send a WhatsApp message
• For production: Go to Messaging → Senders → WhatsApp Senders
• Apply for a WhatsApp Business number (takes 1-3 days approval)
• Or use Twilio's sandbox number for testing first

1.3 Note Your Credentials

• Account SID (from Dashboard)
• Auth Token (from Dashboard)
• Your WhatsApp number (e.g., +1 415 xxx xxxx)

Step 2: Set Up Make.com (~20 min)

2.1 Create Make Account

• Go to make.com and sign up
• Free tier gives 1,000 operations/month

2.2 Create New Scenario

• Click "Create a new scenario"
• Name it: "Raba WhatsApp AI Concierge"

2.3 Add Modules (in order):

Module 1: Twilio - Watch Incoming Messages

• Search "Twilio" and add "Watch Incoming Messages"
• Connect your Twilio account (Account SID + Auth Token)
• Set to watch WhatsApp messages

Module 2: HTTP - Call Claude API

• Add HTTP module → "Make a request"
• URL: https://api.anthropic.com/v1/messages
• Method: POST
• Headers:
• x-api-key: [Your Anthropic API key]
• anthropic-version: 2023-06-01
• content-type: application/json
• Body (JSON):

Module 3: JSON - Parse Response

• Add JSON → Parse JSON
• Parse Claude's response to extract fields

Module 4: Router (Split into 2 paths)

Path A: Normal Reply

• Filter: needs_human = false
• Twilio → Send WhatsApp Message
• Body: {{reply_message}}
• To: {{1.From}}

Path B: Needs Human Attention

• Filter: needs_human = true
• Email/Slack → Send notification to George
• Include: founder phone, message, and reason

Module 5: Notion - Create Database Item

• Add Notion module
• Database: 📬 Founder Requests
• Map fields:
• Request: {{1.Body}}
• Source: "WhatsApp"
• Status: "🆕 New"
• Type: {{request_type}}
• Received: {{now}}
• Notes: Matched playbooks: {{matched_playbooks}}

Step 3: Get Claude API Key (~5 min)

• Go to console.anthropic.com
• Sign up or log in
• Go to API Keys → Create Key
• Copy and save securely
• Add $20 credit to start (~4,000 founder messages)

Step 4: Connect Twilio Webhook

• In Make.com, copy the webhook URL from Module 1
• In Twilio Console → Phone Numbers → Your WhatsApp number
• Under "Messaging", set webhook to your Make.com URL
• Method: POST

Step 5: Test the System

1. Send a test message to your Twilio WhatsApp number
2. Check Make.com scenario execution
3. Verify:
• Reply was sent with relevant playbooks
• Entry was created in 📬 Founder Requests
• If needed, notification was sent to you

Notification Options

Choose how you want to be notified of exceptions:

Option A: Email

• Add Gmail/Outlook module to Path B
• Send to: george@rabacap.com

Option B: Slack

• Add Slack module → Send yourself a DM

Option C: SMS

• Add Twilio SMS module → Text your personal phone

Cost Estimate

Support

If you need help setting this up, George can:

1. Walk through it with a technical advisor
2. Hire a Make.com expert on Upwork (~$200-500 one-time)
3. Use a no-code agency to set it up

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