> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.channel360.co.za/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.channel360.co.za/api-usage.md).

# API Usage

- [Get started](https://docs.channel360.co.za/api-usage/get-started.md): What the Channel360 API does, how a message flows, and what you need before you start.
- [Quickstart: send your first message](https://docs.channel360.co.za/api-usage/get-started/quickstart.md): Send a WhatsApp message to your own phone and see it delivered, in about ten minutes.
- [Authentication and your Organisation API URL](https://docs.channel360.co.za/api-usage/get-started/authentication.md): How API requests are authorised, and where to find your API key and Organisation API URL.
- [Send a template notification](https://docs.channel360.co.za/api-usage/send-a-template-notification.md): Send one approved WhatsApp template to one person with one API request.
- [Filling template placeholders](https://docs.channel360.co.za/api-usage/send-a-template-notification/filling-template-placeholders.md): Learn how to provide text, media, and button values for a template.
- [Receive delivery updates](https://docs.channel360.co.za/api-usage/receive-delivery-updates.md): Get told when a message is sent, delivered, read or fails, and when a customer writes to you.
- [Reply to a customer](https://docs.channel360.co.za/api-usage/reply-to-a-customer.md): Answer a customer who messaged you with text, media, buttons or lists, within 24 hours.
- [Send a text reply](https://docs.channel360.co.za/api-usage/reply-to-a-customer/send-a-text-reply.md): Reply to a customer with a plain text message.
- [Send a media reply](https://docs.channel360.co.za/api-usage/reply-to-a-customer/send-a-media-reply.md): Reply to a customer with an image, video, audio clip or document.
- [Send an interactive reply](https://docs.channel360.co.za/api-usage/reply-to-a-customer/send-an-interactive-reply.md): Reply to a customer with reply buttons, a list or a WhatsApp Flow.
- [Match replies to your records](https://docs.channel360.co.za/api-usage/match-replies-to-your-records.md): Work out which order, ticket or person a customer's reply belongs to, without relying on their phone number.
- [WhatsApp usernames and BSUID](https://docs.channel360.co.za/api-usage/match-replies-to-your-records/whatsapp-usernames-and-bsuid.md): How WhatsApp usernames change identity fields in message:appUser events.
- [Manage templates through the API](https://docs.channel360.co.za/api-usage/manage-templates-through-the-api.md): List, create, update and re-sync WhatsApp templates from your own code.
- [Concepts](https://docs.channel360.co.za/api-usage/concepts.md): The ideas behind the Channel360 API, explained once so the guides can stay short.
- [Templates, placeholders and components](https://docs.channel360.co.za/api-usage/concepts/templates-placeholders-and-components.md): What a WhatsApp template is, what it is made of, and how placeholders work.
- [Notifications vs. replies (the 24-hour window)](https://docs.channel360.co.za/api-usage/concepts/notifications-vs-replies.md): When to send a template notification and when you can reply freely — the 24-hour window.
- [Tags vs. the API](https://docs.channel360.co.za/api-usage/concepts/tags-vs-the-api.md): Learn when template tags apply and why API sends do not use them.
- [Identifiers: which ID is which](https://docs.channel360.co.za/api-usage/concepts/identifiers.md): Every ID you will meet in the Channel360 API, where it comes from and what to use it for.
- [Troubleshooting and error messages](https://docs.channel360.co.za/api-usage/troubleshooting.md): Every error message the Channel360 API returns, why it happens and what to do.
- [FAQ](https://docs.channel360.co.za/api-usage/faq.md): Short answers to common questions about the Channel360 API.