> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.xpressbot.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Web Chat Channel

> Add a live-chat widget to your website so visitors can message you from any page.

## What is this?

This is the Web Chat view of [Channels](https://docs.xpressbot.org/workspace/channels/overview.md) — open it from the **Web Chat** card, or go to `/channels?channel=webchat`. It lets you embed a chat widget on any website page so visitors can start a conversation without leaving your site. Those conversations arrive in your shared inbox alongside messages from other channels.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Your plan must include Web Chat and you need the Channels permission to add a widget. How many widgets you can connect depends on your plan's channel limit.

## What can I do here?

* Add a web chat widget to a website
* Open **Widget Builder** to design how the chat bubble looks, set the greeting, enable pre-chat forms, and copy the embed code
* See each connected site's status and manage its settings
* Disconnect a widget without losing your chats

## How to use it

### Add a widget

1. Open **Channels → Web Chat** and click **Add new Web Chat account**.
2. Name the widget (for example the website it will go on) and confirm.
3. Click **Widget Builder** — or the **Edit Web Chat Widget** option on the widget's card — to design the widget and get the embed code.
4. Copy the embed code and paste it into your website's `<head>` or just before the closing `</body>` tag.

### Widget Builder

The **Widget Builder** button in the header opens the full builder in a new view. Use it to:

* Choose the widget's colour, position (left or right), and size
* Write the greeting message visitors see when they open it
* Add a **pre-chat form** asking for a name, email or phone before the chat starts — those answers arrive in the inbox as contact details
* Preview the widget as a visitor would see it
* Copy the embed code

Changes here take effect immediately for everyone who opens the widget on your website.

> [!TIP]
>
> If you use a pre-chat form, make sure [Business Hours](https://docs.xpressbot.org/workspace/channels/overview.md#set-business-hours) is set. Visitors who message outside hours see your offline message automatically.

### Manage a connected widget

Each connected site appears as a card. From there you can:

* See the widget's domain and status
* Rename or edit it
* Open the widget builder for it
* Disconnect it

### Disconnect a widget

Click **Disconnect** on the widget's card and confirm. The widget stops appearing on your website and the visitor log is cleared. **Your chats and contacts stay.** Reconnecting brings the widget back. To remove the whole channel, use **Delete Channel** ([Channels](https://docs.xpressbot.org/workspace/channels/overview.md#delete-a-channel)).

## Troubleshooting / Technical Notes

* **The chat bubble doesn't appear on my website.** The embed code must be in every page that should show it. Check your browser's console for script errors and confirm the domain matches what you entered.
* **Pre-chat form data doesn't appear in the contact.** The form data arrives when a visitor submits it and starts the chat. Check the contact's profile in the inbox after they message.
* **Add new Web Chat account is disabled.** You've reached your plan's channel limit.
* **Widget Builder is not shown.** You need the Widget Builder permission — ask an admin.

## Related docs

* [Channels](https://docs.xpressbot.org/workspace/channels/overview.md)
* [Web Chat overview](https://docs.xpressbot.org/workspace/web-chat/overview.md)
* [Automation Web Chat triggers](https://docs.xpressbot.org/workspace/automation/triggers/web-chat-triggers.md)


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