What you need
A computer that can stay on during the hours you want the assistant to answer: Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit), or a Mac with macOS 11 or later, either Apple Silicon or Intel. The installer is about 10–13 MB. You will also need your phone with WhatsApp and, for the AI step, a Google account. Nothing is installed on a server; your conversations, customers and catalog stay in a local database on this computer.
Step by step
- Pick the right file. On the download section choose your platform. For Windows, the file ends in windows-x64-setup.exe. On a Mac, open the Apple menu and choose About This Mac: if the Chip line says Apple M1, M2, M3 or later, take mac-arm64.dmg; if it lists an Intel Processor, take mac-x64.dmg.
- Install the app. On a Mac, open the .dmg and drag Wabo AI Assistant into the Applications folder. On Windows, double-click the setup file and follow the installer.
- Allow the first launch. The packages are not code-signed yet, so the system warns you once. On macOS, if the app is blocked, open System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll down and click Open Anyway. On Windows, when SmartScreen appears, click More info and then Run anyway.
- Go through the setup wizard. The app opens with Welcome and "Let's set up your WhatsApp sales agent in 4 steps." The steps are described below.
- Keep the computer awake. Check the Computer card in Settings.
- Enter the license key. Do this whenever you are ready for real WhatsApp replies.
The four wizard steps
1. Good to know
A short page about two things: the computer must be on for the assistant to answer, and how Wabo protects your WhatsApp number. It also lists what you should avoid doing. Tick I've read and understood. and click Continue.
2. Your business
Enter your Business name and a few sentences under What do you sell? Describe briefly, for example what you sell, where you ship from and how. The assistant uses this when it talks to customers, and you can expand it later in Train the agent.
3. AI
Wabo writes replies with Google Gemini using your own API key. Paste the key, choose the tier and click Save and test connection. Continue becomes active once the test works. If you do not have a key yet, click I'll do it later. Our Gemini API key guide walks through getting one.
4. WhatsApp
Click Show QR code and scan it from your phone under Settings → Linked devices → Link a device, or use the phone-number pairing code. Then click Finish, or I'll connect later if you want to set up the catalog first. Details are in linking WhatsApp.
After the wizard
The Home screen shows a Finish setup checklist with four items: Link WhatsApp, AI connection, Add your products and Enter the license. Click an item to jump to the right screen. The large switch at the top turns the agent on or off, and a single sentence tells you what is still stopping it from answering.
Keep it running
Because Wabo lives on your computer, three settings in Settings → Computer matter:
- Prevent the computer from sleeping while the app is open: keep this on. Note that closing a laptop lid still puts the computer to sleep.
- Start automatically when the computer starts: useful after restarts and updates.
- Don't open the window on auto-start (run in the tray): starts quietly in the background.
Closing the window does not stop Wabo. Even if you close the window, it keeps running in the menu bar or taskbar icon. Quit it from that icon only when you really want it to stop answering.
Entering the license later
You do not need a license to set up and test. Without one, the catalog, training and Test chat all work; only WhatsApp replies are held back. When you buy a license, you receive a key that starts with WBZ1-. Open License, paste the whole key under Enter the license key and click Save. No internet connection is needed for this step. The license is a one-time purchase for one WhatsApp number; see pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my computer warn me about the app?
Wabo's installers are not code-signed yet, so macOS and Windows show a warning the first time you open them. Download only from wabodesktop.com and use the Open Anyway or Run anyway option described above.
Can I try Wabo before buying a license?
Yes. Without a license everything works, including the catalog, training and Test chat. The only thing that does not happen is sending replies on WhatsApp.
Does the computer have to stay on?
Yes. Wabo runs on your computer, not on a server. When the computer is off, asleep or offline it cannot answer. The app prevents sleep while it is open, but on a laptop closing the lid still puts it to sleep.
How big is the download?
About 10–13 MB, depending on the platform. Wabo needs Windows 10/11 64-bit or macOS 11 or later.