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

# Start a conversation directly from a contact

> Initiate a new WhatsApp conversation directly from a contact's detail page in BluBash, without navigating away to the conversations inbox first.

BluBash lets you open a new conversation directly from a contact's detail page. This makes it straightforward to reach out proactively or follow up with a customer while you are already looking at their record — without needing to navigate to the conversations inbox first.

**When to use this feature:**

* **Proactive outreach**: When you need to get in touch with a customer on your own initiative.
* **Resuming contact**: To pick up where a previous conversation left off.
* **Quick action**: When you are already viewing the contact and need to start messaging immediately.

***

## Start a conversation from a contact

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Contacts section">
    In the left sidebar, click **Contacts**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the contact">
    Click the contact you want to message to open their detail page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the actions menu">
    Click the **menu** button (three dots) in the upper-right corner of the screen.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Start conversation">
    In the menu that appears, click **Start conversation** (message icon).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select a team (if applicable)">
    If you belong to more than one team or department, select the team that should handle this conversation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select a channel">
    Choose which **WhatsApp number** you want to use to contact the customer.
  </Step>

  <Step title="The conversation opens">
    After selecting the team and channel, you are redirected to the conversations inbox with the conversation already open and ready to send messages.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  To use this feature you need:

  * The contact to have a **registered WhatsApp number**.
  * **Permission to start conversations** in BluBash.
  * At least one **WhatsApp channel configured** in your account.

  If your company uses the Official WhatsApp API and the contact has not sent a message in the last 24 hours, your first outbound message must be a **message template**.
</Info>

**A few things to keep in mind:**

* The **Start conversation** option only appears if the contact has a WhatsApp number registered.
* You are **automatically redirected** to the conversations inbox after selecting the channel.
* If an active conversation already exists with the contact, that conversation will open instead of creating a new one.
* The conversation is **assigned to you automatically**.
* You can use this feature for **proactive outreach** and **follow-ups**.