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

# How to set up Whatsy and send your first auto-reply

> Download the Whatsy macOS app, install Ollama, link your WhatsApp by scanning a QR code, and send your first auto-reply in minutes.

This guide takes you from zero to a live auto-replying WhatsApp agent in about ten minutes. You'll download the macOS app, set up Ollama so replies stay on your device, link your WhatsApp account by scanning a QR code, and flip the switch that turns auto-replies on. No cloud accounts, no API keys, and no terminal experience required beyond a couple of commands for Ollama.

<Info>
  Before you begin, confirm you have the following on your Mac:

  * **macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later**
  * **Google Chrome** installed in `/Applications`
  * **Ollama** downloaded and ready to run at `http://localhost:11434`

  See [Requirements](/requirements) for a full breakdown if you're unsure about any of these.
</Info>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download Whatsy">
    Go to the Whatsy website and click **Get Started**. Enter your email address and you'll be taken straight to the macOS download page.

    Download the `.dmg` file, open it, and drag **Whatsy** into your Applications folder. Double-click the app to launch it — macOS may ask you to confirm you want to open an app downloaded from the internet; click **Open**.

    Whatsy is a native Swift/SwiftUI app, so it opens instantly without any additional runtime to install.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install Ollama and pull a model">
    Whatsy generates all replies locally using [Ollama](https://ollama.com). Download and install Ollama from **ollama.com**, then open Terminal and start the Ollama server:

    ```bash theme={null}
    ollama serve
    ```

    In a second Terminal tab, pull the recommended model:

    ```bash theme={null}
    ollama pull llama3.2
    ```

    The download is roughly 2 GB. Once it finishes, Ollama is ready and Whatsy will detect it automatically on the next screen.

    <Tip>
      Leave `ollama serve` running in the background — Whatsy talks to it over `http://localhost:11434` whenever it needs to generate a reply. If Ollama stops, auto-replies pause until it restarts.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Whatsy and link WhatsApp">
    With the app open, click **Start My Setup**. Whatsy launches the agent process and displays a large QR code with step-by-step instructions.

    On your iPhone (or Android), open WhatsApp and navigate to:

    **Settings → Linked Devices → Link a Device**

    Point your camera at the QR code in the Whatsy window. WhatsApp confirms the link in a few seconds, and the Whatsy screen advances to a success state: *"Your agent is connected to WhatsApp."*

    The QR code refreshes automatically if it expires before you scan it — just wait for the new one and scan again.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Turn on auto-replies">
    After linking, auto-replies are **off by default**. You'll see a clear prompt in the app: *"Replies are off. Turn them on when you're ready."*

    Click **Turn on replies**. Whatsy shows a confirmation dialog:

    > *Your agent will reply to your contacts on your behalf. Continue?*

    Click **Confirm**. The toggle switches on, the agent begins monitoring incoming messages, and your first automated reply will go out the next time someone messages you.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  To verify everything is working, send yourself a WhatsApp message from a second phone number or ask a friend to message you. You should see an automated reply appear within a few seconds (plus any response delay you've configured), and the exchange will show up in the **Activity Dashboard** inside Whatsy.
</Tip>

## Next steps

* **Customize your persona** — head to the Persona section in the app to describe your voice, writing style, and examples of how you typically reply.
* **Set behavior rules** — use the Behaviors tab to create conditional rules that control how the agent handles specific situations.
* **Review the activity feed** — the Dashboard shows every message the agent has handled, the reply it sent, and which rule or persona was active.

For more detail on each prerequisite, see [Requirements](/requirements). For a deeper walkthrough of the WhatsApp connection, see [Connecting WhatsApp](/guides/connecting-whatsapp).