Whatsapp cloud api multiple messages same trigger

Questions
1

Hi everyone,

I’m working on an n8n workflow that receives messages from WhatsApp (using the official WhatsApp Cloud API + n8n WhatsApp Trigger).

I want to combine multiple short user messages into a single input before sending them to GPT or another processor.

My goal:

  • When a user sends a message, I want to wait 8 seconds to see if any more messages are coming.
  • If additional messages come within that window, I want to append them to the previous ones.
  • Once there’s an 8-second pause, I consider the input complete and then send the combined message to the AI.

The problem:

  • WhatsApp sends each message as a separate webhook call, so each message starts a new execution in n8n.
  • I’m trying to store the messages temporarily (using Simple Memory) and track the last_message_time.
  • But since each execution is isolated, I can’t easily set up a delay inside the same flow that checks for future messages.
  • I tried using Wait + IF nodes with timestamp comparison, but it doesn’t feel reliable because the workflow finishes before new messages arrive.

What I’m looking for:

  • Has anyone successfully built a “delayed input merge” system in n8n?
  • Is there a way to delay response until user input is silent for X seconds, across multiple executions?
  • Or should I use an external system (e.g. Redis, database + cron job) to collect and check messages before triggering GPT?

Any design patterns or ideas are welcome :folded_hands:
Thanks in advance!

2

Hello! I’m at the same place while trying to create my own Whatsapp bot. My possible solution at the moment would be to create an OpenAI module, pass the threadID and prompt it to decide if it should answer or wait a little for more context before answering the client.

That’s the only possible solution I got so far. Let me know if you find something better!