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

# Introduction

> Welcome to the Automate Chats API Reference

<Note>
  The Automate Chats API allows you to programmatically send WhatsApp template messages and manage your templates from external systems like CRM, Pabbly, or Zapier.
</Note>

## Base URL

All API requests should be made to the following base URL:

```bash theme={null}
https://api.automatechats.com
```

## Authentication

All API endpoints are secured using an API Key. You must include your API key in the request header for every request.

| Header         | Value                 |
| :------------- | :-------------------- |
| `X-API-Key`    | `YOUR_SECRET_API_KEY` |
| `Content-Type` | `application/json`    |

To learn how to generate your API key, check out the [Authentication](/automate-chats/api-reference/authentication) guide.

## Response Format

The API returns data in JSON format. A typical success response looks like this:

```json theme={null}
{
  "status": "success",
  "data": {
    // Response data here
  }
}
```

In case of an error, the API returns an appropriate HTTP status code and an error message:

```json theme={null}
{
  "status": "error",
  "message": "Detailed error message here"
}
```