Founders who run the shop from their pocket live in WhatsApp, not in Slack. Dedicated “Shopify to WhatsApp” or “Stripe to WhatsApp” plugins duplicate quotas, templates, and phone numbers.
AlertHub’s WhatsApp destination is a Pro (or higher) feature: you link one phone to a project with a one-time code. After that, every warning and critical alert on that project can land as a WhatsApp message — subject to the plan’s monthly quota.
Free accounts keep the dashboard, Slack, Telegram, email, Discord, and Teams. WhatsApp is the paid hop for people who will not install another chat app.
How linking works
- You open the project in app.thealerthub.com → Connections.
- On the WhatsApp card (not the Premium badge — upgrade first if you see it), click Link with WhatsApp.
- AlertHub shows a code. Send the pre-filled message to the AlertHub number (Open WhatsApp, QR, or copy).
- Click Validate code. The phone is bound to the project.
- Admins can unlink later from the same card.
Members cannot link or unlink. Delivery is quota-based per billing period; when the quota is exhausted, further WhatsApp sends are skipped until reset or upgrade. Other destinations keep working.
Setup (once)
- Upgrade from Pricing if you are on Free.
- Link WhatsApp as above. Confirm a test warning from the dashboard or API.
- Point sources at the same project. Do not put the WhatsApp number into Shopify or Stripe.
Docs: WhatsApp destination.
Alert 1: Failed payments on the founder’s phone
Failed Stripe charges as critical are the classic WhatsApp use case: Saturday night, inbox closed, card declined. Telegram also works; WhatsApp is for the chat you already unmute.
Keep successful invoices as info so they do not burn quota.
Alert 2: High-risk or paid Shopify orders
Use Shopify webhooks at warning for risk and stock, info for routine volume. WhatsApp quota is the reason not to forward every $9 order.
Alert 3: Uptime and CI only when production is red
GitHub Actions and uptime monitors should be critical on main / production checks. PR flakes should never consume WhatsApp.
Ideas to squeeze more value
- Quota hygiene. Info never goes to WhatsApp. Audit sources that default to warning.
- Telegram as overflow. When WhatsApp quota is gone, Telegram and Slack still fire.
- One phone per project. Agencies: one project (and optional number) per client rather than a group chat from twelve shops.
- Unlink on offboarding. Admins remove the binding; sources stay untouched.
FAQ
Is WhatsApp available on Free?
No. Pro or higher, with a monthly allowance greater than zero. The card shows Premium until you upgrade.
Do info alerts use quota?
They are not delivered to WhatsApp (or other channels). Only warning and critical.
Can two people on the same project get WhatsApp?
Linking binds the project to the phone that sent the code. For a second person, use Slack/Telegram/email on the same project, or a separate project if you need a second WhatsApp destination.
Next steps
Upgrade, follow the WhatsApp setup, and send one test warning. Then attach Stripe or Shopify without another WhatsApp vendor.
Related: alert levels · Shopify order alerts