Supercharge your chatbot by connecting it to any API! With Chitchatbot.ai’s External Request feature, you can pull real-time data from external systems (like CRMs, databases, or weather APIs) and deliver personalized experiences. Combine this with Dynamic Content to generate tailored messages on-the-fly.

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🔌 1. How to Use External Requests

Integrate any API in 3 simple steps:

1. In your Chitchatbot flow, click Actions > External API Request.
2. Configure the endpoint URL, method (GET/POST), headers, and body.
3. Test the connection to ensure your bot receives the expected response.

💡 Use Case: Fetch live currency rates, inventory status, or user profiles from your backend.

Our guide on how to connect your chatbot to HubSpot highlights how you can use external requests to connect to third-party software.

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💾 2. Saving API Data to Custom Fields

Extract specific data from JSON responses using Response Mapping:

1. After adding an External Request, open Response Mapping.
2. Define a Custom Field (e.g., exchange_rate).
3. Use JSONPath to map the API value (e.g., rates.USD for this currency API response):

{
  "rates": { "USD": 1.234 }
}

⚠️ Pro Tip: Validate your JSONPath using free tools like JSONPath Tester. Test to see if it extract as expected. Try without $ or x prefixes!

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⚙️ 3. Accessing HTTP Status Codes & Full Responses

Capture technical details via special keywords in Response Mapping:

• http_status_code: Save the HTTP status (e.g., 200, 404).
• http_response_body: Store the entire API response.
• http_download_EXTENSION: Download files (e.g., http_download_mp3 for audio).

Example: Save http_status_code to a custom field, then add conditional logic

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✨ 4. Dynamic Content: API-Powered Messages

Return ready-to-render messages from your API in a universal JSON format. Chitchatbot auto-adapts them for all channels (WhatsApp, Messenger, etc.).

Key Rules:

• Use this if you control the API.
• Structure your response with messages and actions arrays:

{
  "messages": [{...}],
  "actions": [{...}]
}

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📨 5. Dynamic Content Examples

Basic Text Message

{
  "messages": [{
    "message": {
      "text": "Hello world!",
      "quick_replies": []
    }
  }]
}

Multi-Message Sequence

{
  "messages": [
    {"message": {"text": "Step 1"}},
    {"message": {"text": "Step 2"}}
  ]
}

Image/Audio/File Attachment

{
  "messages": [{
    "message": {
      "attachment": {
        "type": "image", // or "video"/"audio"/"file"
        "payload": {"url": "https://your-file-url.jpg"}
      }
    }
  }]
}

Gallery (10 Cards Max)

{
  "messages": [{
    "message": {
      "attachment": {
        "type": "template",
        "payload": {
          "template_type": "generic",
          "elements": [
            {
              "title": "Product 1",
              "image_url": "https://...",
              "buttons": [...] // Up to 3 buttons/card
            }
          ]
        }
      }
    }
  }]
}

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📱 6. WhatsApp-Exclusive Messages

Send WhatsApp-specific templates (e.g., lists, location requests) using WhatsApp’s native format. Chitchatbot auto-populates the to field:

{
  "messages": [{
    "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
    "type": "interactive",
    "interactive": {
      "type": "list",
      "body": {"text": "Choose an option:"},
      "action": {
        "buttons": [{ "title": "Option 1", "id": "FLOW_ID" }]
      }
    }
  }]
}

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⚡ 7. Actions: Silent Backend Operations

Perform tasks without user interaction using actions:

Action	JSON Snippet
Add/Remove Tag	{"action": "add_tag", "tag_name": "VIP"}
Set Custom Field	{"action": "set_field_value", "field_name": "status", "value": "active"}
Trigger Flow	{"action": "send_flow", "flow_id": "123"}
Assign to Human Agent	{"action": "transfer_conversation_to", "value": "human"}
Combine Actions	Include multiple objects in the actions array!

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🎯 8. Pro Tip: Embed Actions in Buttons

Use actions as button payloads (serialize to JSON string):

{
  "messages": [{
    "message": {
      "attachment": {
        "payload": {
          "buttons": [{
            "title": "Unsubscribe",
            "type": "postback",
            "payload": "{\"actions\":[{\"action\":\"remove_tag\",\"tag_name\":\"subscriber\"}]}"
          }]
        }
      }
    }
  }]
}

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Ready to build smarter bots? External Requests and Dynamic Content turn Chitchatbot.ai into an integration powerhouse. Connect your CRM, payment gateway, or custom microservices – and deliver seamless, dynamic user experiences!