> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.connie.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Start a new WhatsApp or LinkedIn conversation

> Initiates a new conversation on WhatsApp (by phone number) or LinkedIn (by profile identifier). Checks for an existing conversation first.




## OpenAPI

````yaml /openapi/inbox.yaml post /inbox/start-chat
openapi: 3.1.0
info:
  title: Connie Inbox API
  version: 1.0.0
  description: >
    Unified inbox API for managing conversations across email, WhatsApp, and
    LinkedIn. All endpoints require authentication unless noted otherwise.
servers:
  - url: https://connie.ai/api
    description: Production
security:
  - cookieAuth: []
tags:
  - name: Init & Counts
    description: Initialization and conversation counts
  - name: Conversations
    description: Conversation listing and retrieval
  - name: Messages
    description: Message retrieval and read status
  - name: Compose
    description: Sending emails, starting chats, and drafts
  - name: Labels
    description: Label management
  - name: Assignments
    description: Conversation assignment to team members
  - name: Search
    description: Full-text and filtered search
  - name: Attachments
    description: File attachments
  - name: Spam
    description: Spam management
  - name: Views & Starred
    description: Custom views and starred conversations
paths:
  /inbox/start-chat:
    post:
      tags:
        - Compose
      summary: Start a new WhatsApp or LinkedIn conversation
      description: >
        Initiates a new conversation on WhatsApp (by phone number) or LinkedIn
        (by profile identifier). Checks for an existing conversation first.
      operationId: startChat
      requestBody:
        required: true
        content:
          application/json:
            schema:
              type: object
              required:
                - accountId
                - platform
                - recipientId
                - message
              properties:
                accountId:
                  type: string
                platform:
                  type: string
                  enum:
                    - whatsapp
                    - linkedin
                recipientId:
                  type: string
                  description: Phone number for WhatsApp, profile identifier for LinkedIn
                message:
                  type: string
                subject:
                  type: string
                  description: LinkedIn InMail subject (optional)
                linkedinApi:
                  type: string
                  enum:
                    - messaging
                    - inmail
                attachmentOnly:
                  type: boolean
      responses:
        '200':
          description: Chat started
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                type: object
                properties:
                  success:
                    type: boolean
                  chatId:
                    type: string
                  conversationId:
                    type: string
                  isExistingConversation:
                    type: boolean
                  contactName:
                    type: string
        '401':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/Unauthorized'
components:
  responses:
    Unauthorized:
      description: Not authenticated
      content:
        application/json:
          schema:
            $ref: '#/components/schemas/Error'
  schemas:
    Error:
      type: object
      properties:
        error:
          type: string
  securitySchemes:
    cookieAuth:
      type: apiKey
      in: cookie
      name: session

````

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