# `bird whatsapp reaction set`

## Usage

```bash
bird whatsapp reaction set <message-id> [flags]
```

## Description

React to a WhatsApp message

Place an emoji reaction on a WhatsApp message the workspace received. You hold at most one reaction per message, so calling this again replaces the emoji rather than adding a second one. The message must be one the contact sent and still resolvable: Bird keeps the id a reaction needs for 15 days, so an older message is a 404. The 202 is the reaction accepted, not delivered: use whatsapp\_get and read the message's `reactions` to see what stands, or whatsapp\_reaction\_list\_events for what WhatsApp made of it.

Build the request from flags, a JSON WhatsAppReactionUpsert body via --body-file ("-" reads
stdin), or both — a flag overrides the matching body field. Run --example to
print a ready-to-edit body, or --dry-run to print the resolved request without
sending it.

## Examples

```bash
# print the body shape (no credentials needed)
bird whatsapp reaction set --example

# the body it prints:
```

```json
{
  "emoji": "👍"
}
```

## Options

#### Request

| Name                | Description                                                  |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `--body-file`       | Read the JSON request body from this file; "-" reads stdin   |
| `--example`         | Print a complete example request body, then exit             |
| `--dry-run`         | Print the resolved request without sending it, then exit     |
| `--idempotency-key` | Deduplication key; a retry with the same key won't act twice |

#### Options

| Name                | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `--emoji`           | The emoji to place, as the character itself. Replaces your existing reaction on this message if you have one. To take a reaction back entirely, delete it rather than sending an empty value. WhatsApp takes exactly one emoji, so a value carrying more than one is refused with a 422 rather than sent. The length cap is generous because a single joined emoji is many code points: a couple-kissing one carrying two skin tones is ten, which is why the cap alone cannot express the limit. (required; or in --body-file) |
| `--response-schema` | Print the fields this command returns, then exit                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |

## Related

| Name                                                                                      | Description                                  |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| [`bird whatsapp reaction list-events`](/docs/cli/reference/whatsapp-reaction-list-events) | List reaction events for a WhatsApp message  |
| [`bird whatsapp reaction remove`](/docs/cli/reference/whatsapp-reaction-remove)           | Remove your reaction from a WhatsApp message |

## Related resources

- [Should I use a Bird SDK or call the API directly?](/explained/platform/should-i-use-an-sdk-or-call-the-api-directly) (answer)
- [Build your first integration](/learn/paths/integration) (course)
- [Send your first email](/docs/get-started/send-your-first-email) (docs)

[Get an implementation brief](/learn/workspace?topic=api-basics)