My sandbox isn't working? How do I connect?

Neelke Stadler Updated by Neelke Stadler

You've set up a sandbox account and would like others to test it but nothing is working? Let's help you resolve this.

Sandboxes are prototyping accounts that have most of the functionality of a live WhatsApp line so you can iterate and test seamlessly. Sandboxes are great, but you need to know one very important thing:

You have to connect to a sandbox using the 'join' message

Let's explain how it works:

All Turn.io sandboxes are routed over one WhatsApp number. To ensure that your users send messages to your sandbox they have to first send join <sandbox-name> to +27600136875.

The join <sandbox-name> message connects them to your sandbox and thereafter they can happily interact with your menu, automations, etc.

Where do I get my join code / QR code?

The easiest way to ensure users connect correctly to your sandbox is to share the QR code or the wa.me link that you get from the Turn user interface.

You can get both the QR and the join code (the provided wa.me link) in the top left corner just below the number (see below).

Copy the wa.me link and share it with people. You will note that the wa.me link contains text=join%20<sandbox-name>. If a user clicks that link they will be taken to WhatsApp and the join code will be correctly pre-filled. They just need to hit enter to send join <sandbox-name> to +27600136875.

Alternatively, when a user scans the QR code that Turn.io generates it will take them directly to WhatsApp with the correct join message already pre-populated. They can just hit the send button to start chatting.

Other Sandbox Tips

  • All sandboxes have a default welcome message and a default automation that triggers when the user message starts with 'join'. A great idea is to edit the default welcome message to something that makes sense for your prototype. Or you can disable or delete the default 'join' automation.

  • An easy way to ensure users connect correctly is to share the QR code for your sandbox. You can get the QR code in the top left corner just below the number (see below).

When a user scans the QR code that Turn.io generates it will take them directly to WhatsApp with the correct join message already pre-populated. They can just hit the send button to start chatting.

  • If you wish to join another sandbox you have to send join <that-sandbox-name> to +27600136875. All your messages thereafter will be route to that specific sandbox. In essence you can switch between sandboxes by sending the correct join message.

  • Take note of the requirements for a sandbox name: It must be a unique name consisting of a minimum of three letters, a dash and a number. For example margaret-burbidge-174. It is nice to have an easy-to-remember name but don't worry about coming up with a name, just use the default name.
Fun fact: Our default sandbox names are randomly pick from a list of female scientist in the 20th century! 🥰

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