project1 min read
shopmsg: local-first WhatsApp messaging for small shops
Local desktop application for shopkeepers to send customer updates and order notifications directly over WhatsApp. Customer data stays on the machine with zero recurring gateway fees.
Small shop owners rely heavily on WhatsApp to notify customers: order ready for pickup, bill reminders, festival greetings.
Existing solutions force them to choose between two bad options: typing messages one by one on their phone, or paying high monthly fees for enterprise Meta API gateways with complex template approvals.
ShopMsg is a local-first desktop application that runs directly on the owner's computer.
What it does
The shop owner opens the app in their browser, pairs WhatsApp once via QR code, and uploads an Excel or CSV customer sheet:
- Local-first privacy: Contact lists, messages, and session tokens never leave the local machine. There is no cloud database hoarding customer phone numbers.
- Templating & pacing: Dynamic variables (
{{name}},{{balance}}) with humanized jitter delays to prevent account flags. - Reply matching: Captures customer replies right in the app, linked back to the broadcast they answered.
- Ed25519 licensing: Offline-capable signed license keys verified locally, backed by a lightweight Cloudflare Worker.
- Cross-platform: Packaged with simple one-click launcher scripts for both Windows and macOS.
Stack
Node.js, Express, and Baileys (direct WhatsApp Web socket). Licensing via Cloudflare Workers + D1. Standalone packaging with native desktop state isolation.
Live
Marketing site and download portal at wa.replyji.in.