> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.360dialog.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.360dialog.com/docs/inbox/inbox-api/reading-conversations.md).

# Reading conversations

List your conversations and read their history.

Two endpoints cover it: [`/chats/`](/docs/inbox/inbox-api/api-ref/chats.md#get-api-v1-chats) for the list of conversations, and [`/messages/`](/docs/inbox/inbox-api/api-ref/messages.md#get-api-v1-messages) for what was said in each one.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**List your chats**

```bash
curl -H "Authorization: Token $SERVICE_TOKEN" $INBOX/api/v1/chats/
```

Chats come back with the most recent conversation first. Each one has the `contact` you are talking to, its `wa_id`, and `new_messages` — how many messages this user has not yet received.

To get only chats with something new, add `?unread=true`.

Reference: [List chats](/docs/inbox/inbox-api/api-ref/chats.md#get-api-v1-chats)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Read a conversation**

```bash
curl -H "Authorization: Token $SERVICE_TOKEN" "$INBOX/api/v1/messages/?wa_id=$WA_ID&limit=20"
```

You get the 20 most recent messages, newest first. Each message has:

* `waba_payload` — the message exactly as WhatsApp sent it: `type`, `text`, `timestamp`, media and so on
* `from_us` — `false` if the customer sent it, `true` if you did
* `sender` — which user sent it, for messages from you

Reference: [List messages](/docs/inbox/inbox-api/api-ref/messages.md#get-api-v1-messages)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Load older messages**

Take `waba_payload.timestamp` of the oldest message you have, and ask for the ones before it:

```bash
curl -H "Authorization: Token $SERVICE_TOKEN" "$INBOX/api/v1/messages/?wa_id=$WA_ID&limit=20&before_time=1759150800"
```

Use `before_time` rather than `offset`: new messages can arrive while you page, which shifts offsets but not timestamps.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}


---

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