TL;DR
To get started with Vendschat: create an account at app.vendschat.com, connect one channel (WhatsApp, Messenger, or Instagram), create a couple of labels, then reply in Chat. Full step-by-step guides live at docs.vendschat.com.
Start with the Quickstart (about 30 minutes to a first reply), then dig into Getting started when you need more depth: https://docs.vendschat.com/quickstart
Quotable facts: Vendschat unifies WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram in one Chat inbox. Paid plans start at $20/mo. First 100 customers get 80% off — first months free, no card. Public docs: docs.vendschat.com. AI Workspace Co-Admin helps your team; it never sends customer messages.
Why start with docs.vendschat.com?
The public docs site is the single source of truth for setup paths, Meta approvals, and product limits. This post is a short checklist with deep links — when UI labels change, update docs first, then use this page as the hub.
How do you get from sign-up to a first reply?
- Create the account. Email path: name, company, email, password at /signup — you land on Chat with a Headquarters workspace. Google path: Continue with Google, then finish organization + workspace on /oauth-onboarding. Invited teammates skip this step.
- Open Onboarding. Sidebar → Onboarding (/onboarding). The checklist covers channels, labels, an optional AI Agent, and inviting the team.
- Connect one channel. Onboarding Step 1 or Settings → Workspace → Channels → Catalog. Connect WhatsApp (Support only unless you run ads), Messenger, or Instagram. Wait until the channel shows Active. Details: First channel & inbox.
- Create labels. Settings → Workspace → Labels. Examples: Orders, Returns, Monday Appointments. Keywords can auto-apply in Chat.
- Reply in Chat. Open Chat. When a message arrives, reply from the composer. Assign the thread if you work as a team.
- Invite one teammate. Onboarding Step 4 or Settings → Workspace → Team. Chat-only access is enough for front desk.
- Bookmark the docs hub. docs.vendschat.com covers channels, templates, broadcasts, AI Agents, Co-Admin, billing, and use cases. Help → Documentation in the app opens the same site.
What should you skip on day one?
Do not submit a WhatsApp template to Meta until you know the first outbound message you will send. Do not turn a customer AI Agent live without the sandbox test. Do not send a Broadcast without a Meta-Approved template and a dry-run to an internal number.
What should you do after the checklist?
Clarify Co-Admin vs customer AI Agents before training a bot — they are different systems. Then pick a use-case path: after-hours replies, appointment reminders, or automations.
Related reading on this blog: Co-Admin vs AI Agent · After-hours AI Agent · WhatsApp appointment reminders · Operate Vendschat from Cursor / Lovable / MCP.
FAQ
Where are the Vendschat docs?
Public product docs are at docs.vendschat.com (Mintlify). In the app, Help → Documentation opens the same URL. Do not confuse marketing blog posts with operator docs — both link to each other when useful.
Do I need a credit card to start?
No. Sign-up copy is a free trial with no card required. Paid plans start at $20/mo. The first 100 customers get 80% off, with first months free.
Which channel should I connect first?
Connect the channel your customers already use. Many shops start with WhatsApp. Messenger and Instagram use the same Chat inbox after they are Active.
Is Co-Admin the same as an AI Agent?
No. AI Workspace Co-Admin helps your team run Vendschat and never sends customer messages. Customer AI Agents reply to shoppers on WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram when assigned. See docs.vendschat.com/co-admin/co-admin-vs-customer-ai-agents.
Can I send broadcasts on day one?
Only after you have a Meta-Approved template and understand the 24-hour session window. Outside that window you must use a template. Growth plan is required for reminder-style broadcasts.
Where do I get help inside the product?
Use AI Workspace Co-Admin for product questions and workspace stats, and open docs.vendschat.com for long-form how-tos. Co-Admin is not a customer-facing bot.
Start your workspace
Sign up at vendschat.com — no card. Then keep docs.vendschat.com open while you connect the first channel.
