Getting started

This page takes you from nothing to a bot answering #ping.

1. Install the tools

# Bun (macOS / Linux)
curl -fsSL https://bun.sh/install | bash

# FFmpeg
brew install ffmpeg          # macOS
sudo apt install ffmpeg      # Debian / Ubuntu
choco install ffmpeg         # Windows

2. Get Asena

git clone https://github.com/shellhaki/asena.git
cd asena
bun install
cp .env.example .env

Open .env and set your own number as the owner, with country code and no +:

OWNER_NUMBER=2348012345678

3. Link WhatsApp

Pick one of the two ways.

On the website

1. Open asena.fun/pair.
2. Scan the QR code with the phone that has the bot's number, or use a pairing code.
3. Copy the session ID and add it to .env:

SESSION_ID=ASENA_...

In the terminal

Leave SESSION_ID empty. When you start the bot, it prints a QR code. Scan it under WhatsApp → Settings → Linked devices → Link a device.

To use a pairing code instead, set PAIRING_NUMBER to the bot's number and restart.

4. Start the bot

bun start

You should see:

✓ Database ready
✓ 68 commands loaded
✓ Connected to WhatsApp
✓ Created system log group …

Send #ping to the bot. It answers with Pong and the response time.

5. Finish setup

The bot creates a private group called Asena · System with you in it. Run #setup there to pick the mode, language and sticker pack. Error details and alerts are posted only in this group.

In a normal group, make the bot an admin and run #groupsetup recommended for welcome messages, anti-link and anti-spam.

Keep it running

bun start stops when you close the terminal. On a server, use a process manager:

# pm2
bun add -g pm2
pm2 start "bun start" --name asena
pm2 save

# or a systemd service with: ExecStart=/home/you/.bun/bin/bun start

Next: Pairing and session IDs explains what the session ID is and how it is protected.