# Start a new chat

## How to Start a New Chat on QuickReply

Agents can initiate conversations with customers across WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, and Live Chat.

### Go to the **Conversations** tab in QuickReply

Click on the **\[+]** icon (known as the Compose WhatsApp Message Button) next to the module heading.

<figure><img src="/files/ZmdcmnyQ4z8tnlhLZHtV" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Enter the **customer's phone number** and continue.

<figure><img src="/files/FpUVf70ONt1OJwf6u4D2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Select a template

Click on "Send a Template" and choose from the pre-approved [message templates](/product-modules/templates/whatsapp-templates.md) to send the first message to the customer.

<figure><img src="/files/pn61achtS0bD3SWfDJag" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Engage with the customer

After the customer responds, agents can:

* Send text messages, images, documents, and other media files
* Use [quick replies and saved responses](/product-modules/conversations/miscellaneous.md#canned-responses)

<figure><img src="/files/KayFHHP2OkiO13ORqO8r" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Access customer conversation history

{% hint style="info" %}
The 24-hour window automatically resets when the customer sends a new message.
{% endhint %}


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.quickreply.ai/product-modules/conversations/start-a-new-chat.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
