Dialogflow WhatsApp (Twilio) Integration

A simple way to connect and integrate Dialogflow and Twilio to create WhatsApp Chatbots

2021 Update: Altered to use Twilio Functions instead of Google Cloud Functions due to a more simple workflow with a more secure infrastructure.

How to Connect With Twilio with Dialogflow

Before Starting - Create your Dialogflow project and also a Twilio project, we will use both of them for the connection.

Part 1 -- Dialogflow Service Account

Step 1 - Open the Google Console for Service Accounts (here) and select the Google Project of your Dialogflow chatbot.

Step 2 - Fill a name for your service account. ("TwilioConnector" is a good option) and click on Create.

Step 3- Add the Owner role (Quick Start -> Basic -> Owner) and click on Done to finish this process.

Step 4- Select the created service account then click on Keys --> Add Key --> Create New Key --> Create

Step 5- A json file will be downloaded. Rename it to dialogflow.json

Part 2 -- Twilio Function

Step 6- Open the Twilio Functions page (here) and create a new service (I recommend naming it DialogflowService).

Step 7- Click on Add then Add Function. Set the path to /dialogflow

Step 8- Copy the code from the index.js in this repository and paste it to the code editor. Click on save.

Step 9- In settings, add a new Enviroment Variable with the key DIALOGFLOW_PROJECT_ID and set its value to your dialogflow project ID (you can find it in your Dialogflow agent's settings)

Step 10- Also in settings, click in Dependencies and add the module dialogflow with version 1.2

Step 11- Click on Add then Upload File. Select your dialogflow.json file. Set it's visibility to private. Click on Upload.

Step 12- Click on Deploy All

Part 3 -- Twilio Sandbox

Step 13- Click on the three dots next to your created function name and select copy URL.

Step 14 - In your Twilio Sandbox configuration (link), paste the URL into the "when a message comes in" field and click save.

Step 15 - Test your chatbot. You should now be able to talk to your Dialogflow chatbot through the Twilio Sandbox's WhatsApp number.

How to Send Media Files

You can also send media files such as Images, Audios, PDFs and Videos. To do so, add a "Custom Payload" response in your Dialogflow intent with the code:

{
    "mediaUrl": "YOUR_URL"
}

You can optionally include a text paramater to send a message alongside the image:

{
    "mediaUrl": "YOUR_URL",
    "text": "YOUR_MESSAGE"
}

See here Twilio's documentation to learn more about the limitations for sending media files.