---
title: "Developer Overview"
source: https://sumgenius.ai/docs/chatgenius-webhook-api
generated: 2026-07-30
---

# Developer Overview

Build on the ChatGenius messaging layer: receive every customer message as a webhook the moment it arrives, send replies from your own system, and read or manage your data over REST. Supports Facebook, Instagram, SMS, WhatsApp, and Telegram.

Add-on · $29/month · Requires Creator+ plan

## Overview

The Webhook & API Add-on gives you programmatic access to the ChatGenius messaging layer. Three surfaces, one API key:

- [Receive webhooks](https://sumgenius.ai/docs/receiving-webhooks)
  Every inbound message, comment, lead, appointment, and escalation forwarded to up to 3 HTTPS endpoints in real time, signed and retried. 14 event types.
- [Send messages](https://sumgenius.ai/docs/#sending)
  Send replies (free-form text or approved WhatsApp templates), react to DM messages, and show typing indicators on all five channels, from your server.
- [REST API](https://sumgenius.ai/docs/rest-api)
  Read and manage contacts, conversations, messages, tags, appointments, and your team over 19 endpoints. Includes `POST /v1/messages`, the recommended send for new integrations.

Use them independently or together. The common pattern: receive events via webhook (see the [Event Reference](https://sumgenius.ai/docs/webhook-events) for all 14 types), process them in your own system, and reply through the Send API or `POST /v1/messages`.

> **Tip**
>
> For teams that want to disable ChatGenius AI entirely and handle all replies themselves, see [Global External Reply Mode](https://sumgenius.ai/docs/receiving-webhooks#external-reply-mode).

## Getting Started

### Requirements

- An active ChatGenius subscription on the **Creator, Professional, or Business** plan
- The Webhook & Send API add-on purchased from your portal ([Add to plan →](https://sumgenius.ai/portal/purchase_solutions.php#chatgenius_webhook_addon))
- A publicly accessible HTTPS endpoint to receive events (for webhook forwarding)

### Five-minute setup

1. Log in to your [ChatGenius portal](https://sumgenius.ai/portal/login) and open **Integrations → Webhook & Send API**
2. Create an [endpoint](https://sumgenius.ai/docs/receiving-webhooks#endpoints): your HTTPS URL, the event types it should receive, and its data-sharing declaration. New endpoints start disabled
3. Copy the endpoint's **signing secret** and wire up [signature verification](https://sumgenius.ai/docs/receiving-webhooks#verify)
4. Send a **test event** from the portal and confirm your handler verifies and acknowledges it
5. Enable the endpoint. Real events start flowing
6. Create a named [API key](https://sumgenius.ai/docs/api-authentication) and make your first call: `GET /api/v1/account` returns your plan and endpoint config

> **Note**
>
> You can run up to **3 endpoints** and up to **10 named API keys**, each rotatable independently. Endpoint secrets rotate with a 24-hour grace window; API key rotation is immediate. Details: [Receiving Webhooks](https://sumgenius.ai/docs/receiving-webhooks) and [Authentication & API Keys](https://sumgenius.ai/docs/api-authentication).

---

## Sending Messages

There are two ways to send, driven by the same engine with the same request body. They differ only in URL and response shape.

- [POST /v1/messages](https://sumgenius.ai/docs/rest-api#send-message)
  **Recommended for new integrations.** Part of the REST API: v1 envelope, UTC ISO-8601 timestamps, stable machine-readable error codes.
- [Send API](https://sumgenius.ai/docs/send-api)
  The original endpoint (`/api/meta/webhook-send.php`), fully supported. If your integration already uses it, nothing changes.

Both cover every action (`send_message`, `react`, `unreact`, `typing_on`), every channel, WhatsApp templates, idempotency, and cold outbound on SMS, WhatsApp, and Telegram.

---

## Channels

The [event envelope](https://sumgenius.ai/docs/webhook-events#envelope), [signing](https://sumgenius.ai/docs/receiving-webhooks#verify), and Send API work identically on every channel. Each channel also has details unique to it — its inbound sub-block, routing identifier, supported actions, and limits. Those live on dedicated pages:

- [Meta DM (Facebook & Instagram)](https://sumgenius.ai/docs/webhook-meta)
  DMs, reel and post shares, and comments. Reactions, typing, and the 24-hour / 7-day messaging window.
- [SMS](https://sumgenius.ai/docs/webhook-sms)
  Twilio SMS. Encoding & segments, STOP/START opt-out, and the SMS error reference.
- [WhatsApp](https://sumgenius.ai/docs/webhook-whatsapp)
  WhatsApp Cloud API. Free-form text within the 24h window, plus approved templates.
- [Telegram](https://sumgenius.ai/docs/webhook-telegram)
  Telegram Bot API. `chat_id` routing, no messaging window, `send_message` and `typing_on`.

Need help?

Our team can assist with integration questions.

[Contact Support](mailto:info@sumgenius.ai)