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

# Auto Replies

> Configure welcome, hours, order, and status auto-reply templates.

Auto-replies handle greetings, menus, order confirmations, and out-of-hours messages so no customer waits for a human response.

## Overview

Auto-reply types:

* **Welcome greeting** — first message with the menu link
* **Business hours** — friendly note when closed
* **Order acknowledgement** — immediate confirmation when a cart is submitted
* **Status updates** — preparing, ready, out for delivery
* **Post-delivery** — thank you + review prompt

## Configure auto-replies

<Frame caption="Auto-reply templates">
  <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/dishink/images/whatsapp/auto-replies.png" alt="Auto-replies" />
</Frame>

<Note>
  WhatsApp Business API requires pre-approved templates for outbound messages after 24h of inactivity. DishInk pre-approves the standard set.
</Note>

## Tips & best practices

<Tip>
  Write auto-replies in the language your customers use. Bilingual variants work — don't guess.
</Tip>

## Common mistakes

<Warning>
  Do not stuff auto-replies with marketing. Customers unsubscribe from over-messaging.
</Warning>

## Related pages

* [Setup](/whatsapp/setup)
* [Order Lifecycle](/whatsapp/order-lifecycle)