WeChat

What this WeChat integration covers

WeChat in OrcaPulse is designed around Official Account messaging. After connection, incoming messages can enter OrcaPulse automatically, be stored as conversation history, and move through lead qualification without manual copy-paste between systems.

The current implementation supports account connection, webhook verification, inbound message capture, lead creation, AI or auto replies, and manual follow-up from the social inbox flow.

Before you connect

The cleanest setup starts when your team has the right WeChat admin access ready in advance. OrcaPulse needs the credentials for the Official Account itself, not a personal chat login.

• Official Account access: log in at mp.weixin.qq.com with an account that can view the app credentials.
• App ID and App Secret: copy these from the developer or basic configuration area inside the WeChat Official Account Platform.
• Public HTTPS backend: WeChat webhook verification works against a public URL, so localhost-only environments are not suitable for live callback delivery.
• Plaintext callback mode: the current OrcaPulse implementation expects plaintext callback handling for WeChat message delivery.

Step-by-step setup

The connection flow is intentionally short in OrcaPulse. Users only need to provide the App ID and App Secret first. OrcaPulse handles the first validation call and prepares the account-specific webhook details afterward.

1. Open WeChat Official Account Platform and sign in.
2. Go to the area where the account’s App ID and App Secret are available.
3. In OrcaPulse, open the WeChat page and click Connect WeChat.
4. Paste the App ID and App Secret, then confirm the connection.
5. After OrcaPulse validates the account, open the connection settings and copy the generated webhook values: callback URL, token, and EncodingAESKey.
6. Return to WeChat, paste those values into the message or server configuration area, and complete WeChat’s verification step.

Once this is complete, OrcaPulse can start receiving inbound WeChat account messages and route them into the lead capture flow automatically.

Webhook verification and delivery

WeChat uses a verification handshake before it will trust your callback URL. OrcaPulse generates the verification values per integration so each connected WeChat account has its own webhook configuration.

• Callback URL: generated by OrcaPulse after the account connects and used inside WeChat’s server configuration.
• Token: used to validate the initial verification handshake and future signatures.
• EncodingAESKey: shown for WeChat setup completeness even though the current OrcaPulse flow expects plaintext callbacks.
• Verification result: once WeChat calls the verification endpoint successfully, the integration can be marked as webhook-verified.

If messages are not arriving after connection, the first thing to check is whether the callback URL is public, reachable over HTTPS, and entered exactly as shown in OrcaPulse.

Lead capture and replies

After the webhook is live, incoming WeChat messages are not just stored as raw events. OrcaPulse can use the conversation to create or enrich a lead, extract contact details, and keep the message history attached to the lead source.

• Inbound message capture: new WeChat conversations are stored in OrcaPulse as channel activity instead of being lost in a separate inbox.
• Contact extraction: email addresses and phone numbers found inside the conversation can be attached to the lead automatically.
• Duplicate-aware flow: existing lead checks can prevent the same person from being recreated blindly.
• AI reply option: if AI DM assistant behavior is enabled, OrcaPulse can continue the chat naturally and ask for missing information.
• Manual reply support: operators can still respond directly when they want human control over the conversation.

What your team can do after connect

The goal is not only to connect a channel. The useful part comes after that, when the team can actually operate the inbox and follow-up flow without jumping between tools.

• Review connected account status: confirm the WeChat account is active and webhook setup values are stored.
• Watch captured conversations: use the social leads and inbox surfaces to inspect incoming messages and lead history.
• Tune conversation behavior: adjust AI DM assistant or auto-reply behavior in the lead capture settings if you want more or less automation.
• Reply manually when needed: continue high-value or sensitive conversations with direct human replies.
• Promote qualified prospects: once contact details are collected, the WeChat conversation can feed the broader OrcaPulse lead workflow.

Troubleshooting

• Connection fails immediately: re-check the App ID and App Secret. A typo or outdated secret will stop the first access-token validation.
• Webhook verification fails: confirm the exact callback URL and token from OrcaPulse were pasted into WeChat and that the backend is public over HTTPS.
• Messages do not appear after verification: verify that the WeChat account is sending to the same official account you connected and that callback mode is aligned with OrcaPulse’s plaintext handling.
• Replies are not sent: check that the WeChat integration is still active and that the account token can be refreshed successfully.
• Users are not converting into strong leads: review whether the conversation is collecting both email and phone, since those details improve promotion into the main lead flow.