An instance is a connection to a messaging channel — a WhatsApp number, a Discord bot, a Telegram bot, or a Slack workspace. Each instance has its own identity, session state, and message history.
WhatsApp instances require pairing via QR code or pairing code:
# QR code — displays in terminal, scan with phoneomni instances qr <instance-id># Pairing code — alternative for headless setupsomni instances pair <instance-id> --phone +5511999999999
For advanced instance operations including profile, privacy, and group management, see the management CLI reference.
# List all instancesomni instances list# Get instance detailsomni instances get <id># Update instance settingsomni instances update <id> --name "New Name"# Delete an instanceomni instances delete <id>
# Contacts and groupsomni instances contacts <id>omni instances groups <id># Profile managementomni instances update-bio <id> "New status message"omni instances update-picture <id> --url https://example.com/avatar.jpgomni instances remove-picture <id># Group managementomni instances group-create <id> --subject "Team Chat" --participants "+5511..." "+5511..."omni instances group-invite <id> <group-jid>omni instances group-revoke-invite <id> <group-jid># Privacy and blockingomni instances privacy <id>omni instances block <id> <contact-id>omni instances unblock <id> <contact-id>omni instances blocklist <id># Check if a number is on WhatsAppomni instances check <id> +5511999999999
omni instances delete and omni instances logout both invalidate the channel session — delete removes the row and history, logout keeps the row but clears credentials. Neither is recoverable; re-pairing requires going through QR/pair flow again.
Run omni instances whoami <id> right after pairing to confirm the connected phone/identity matches what you expect — pairing a wrong number is the most common silent setup failure.