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Message Flow Examples

This document shows examples of how messages flow between WhatsApp and Nextcloud Talk.

Important: Understanding Message Appearance

How Messages Appear in WhatsApp

Since the bridge uses your WhatsApp account as a linked device:

  • Messages sent from Nextcloud to WhatsApp appear to come from you (your WhatsApp account)
  • In the chat, you'll see these messages with your name
  • The prefix [Nextcloud] and the actual sender's name help you identify who originally sent the message

Example in WhatsApp:

You: [Nextcloud] *Alice*: Hi from Nextcloud!

This is because the bridge is linked to your account - it's sending on your behalf, but the prefix and name show the real sender.

How Messages Appear in Nextcloud Talk

Messages from WhatsApp show the original sender's name:

[WhatsApp] **John**: Hello from WhatsApp!

WhatsApp → Nextcloud Talk

When someone sends a message in WhatsApp:

WhatsApp:

John: Hello from WhatsApp!

Nextcloud Talk receives:

[WhatsApp] **John**: Hello from WhatsApp!

Nextcloud Talk → WhatsApp

When someone sends a message in Nextcloud Talk:

Nextcloud Talk:

Alice: Hi from Nextcloud!

WhatsApp receives:

You: [Nextcloud] *Alice*: Hi from Nextcloud!

Note: In WhatsApp, this appears as a message from "You" because the bridge uses your WhatsApp account. The prefix and name *Alice* show who actually sent it.

Customizing Prefixes

You can customize the message prefixes by setting environment variables:

NC_TO_WA_PREFIX=📱
WA_TO_NC_PREFIX=💬

With custom prefixes:

WhatsApp → Nextcloud:

💬 **John**: Hello!

Nextcloud → WhatsApp:

You: 📱 *Alice*: Hi!

(Remember: In WhatsApp, you'll see "You:" before the message since it's your account sending it)

Message Format

  • Bold (**text**) is used in Nextcloud Talk
  • Italic (*text*) is used in WhatsApp
  • Sender names are included in all forwarded messages
  • Original sender is preserved to avoid confusion

What Gets Forwarded

✅ Forwarded:

  • Text messages
  • Sender names
  • Message timestamps (in logs)

❌ Not Forwarded:

  • Images and media (coming in future versions)
  • Reactions
  • Replies/quotes
  • System messages (like "X joined the chat")
  • Messages from the bridge itself (prevents loops)

Privacy Notes

  • The bridge only forwards messages between the configured WhatsApp chat and Nextcloud Talk conversation
  • Messages from other chats are ignored
  • The bridge runs locally on your server - no third-party services involved
  • All authentication data stays on your server
  • The bridge uses your WhatsApp account: Messages sent to WhatsApp will appear to come from you, but the sender's name is included in the message text to show who actually sent it