> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.ebrain.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.ebrain.ai/ebrain-on-whatsapp/proactive-and-reminders.md). # Proactive messages and reminders Most of the time you message Tim and Tim replies. But eBrain can also reach out to you first, over WhatsApp, when something is worth your attention. There are two kinds of proactive outreach: * **Proactive check-ins** - a quiet recurring scan that messages you only when something needs you. * **Reminders and wake-ups** - specific moments you ask for, in plain language ("remind me at 3pm"). Both are delivered over WhatsApp, so you need a linked WhatsApp number first. If you haven't connected yet, start with [Using eBrain on WhatsApp](/ebrain-on-whatsapp/getting-started.md). {% hint style="info" %} Proactive outreach is the one thing WhatsApp does that web chat doesn't: eBrain messages you **first**. The web app never pushes check-ins or reminders to you. {% endhint %} ## Proactive check-ins A proactive check-in lets Tim quietly look at your tasks, urgent email, and upcoming calendar events, and message you on WhatsApp only when something needs your attention. Tim runs a silent background check on a schedule you choose. **Most of the time it says nothing.** It only messages you when it finds something concrete and useful, and it won't repeat an item it has already told you about. A first check of the day might be a short morning briefing; an end-of-day check might flag one thing that would otherwise slip overnight. {% hint style="info" %} Check-ins are **off by default** and opt-in. You turn them on yourself, and you can turn them off again any time. {% endhint %} ### Turning check-ins on {% stepper %} {% step %} ## Open your WhatsApp settings Go to **Settings -> Integrations**. The proactive check-ins control sits **under your connected WhatsApp integration**, because the nudges are delivered over WhatsApp. {% endstep %} {% step %} ## Flip the toggle Switch on **Proactive check-ins**. That's all it takes to enable the feature. {% endstep %} {% step %} ## Choose how often and when (optional) Once enabled, you can fine-tune two things: * **Check every** - how often Tim runs its background scan. Options are every 30, 60, 120, or 240 minutes (the default is 60). * **Active from** and **Active until** - the daily hours when check-ins may run (roughly 08:00 to 20:00 by default). Outside these hours, Tim stays quiet. {% endstep %} {% endstepper %} ### What check-ins look at During your active hours, Tim's scan considers: * Tasks that are due or overdue * Genuinely urgent unread email * Upcoming calendar events that need preparation * Anything you recently asked it to keep an eye on {% hint style="info" %} Bookkeeping and finance topics, such as invoices and payments, are intentionally left out of check-ins, even though Tim can still help with them when you ask in a live chat. {% endhint %} ## Reminders and wake-ups You don't need a settings screen for reminders. Just ask Tim, in WhatsApp or in web chat, in plain language. For example: * "Remind me at 3pm to call the dentist." * "Every morning remind me to take my meds." * "Check back later and tell me if that payment clears." Tim schedules it for you and confirms it's set, including that it will message you on WhatsApp at that time. **No approval step is needed** to create a reminder. How reminders behave: * They arrive **as a WhatsApp message at the scheduled time**, so reminders need WhatsApp linked. * They can be **one-time** ("at 3pm", "tomorrow at 9", "in 2 hours") or **recurring** ("every weekday at 8", "every Monday"). * Tim understands relative times and your timezone, like "in 2 hours" or "tomorrow morning". * A recurring reminder can repeat **no more often than every 15 minutes**. * Tim avoids creating duplicate reminders for the same thing. {% hint style="success" %} You can ask Tim to **list** your scheduled reminders or **cancel** one at any time, in the same plain language you used to set them. {% endhint %} ## Why a proactive message can arrive a little later This is the one quirk worth understanding. WhatsApp itself limits when a business can send you a free-form message: it's only allowed within about **24 hours** of your last message to that business. eBrain handles this gracefully, but it affects the timing of proactive messages. | When you last messaged Tim | What happens | | -------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Within roughly the last 24 hours | Check-ins and reminders arrive **instantly**. | | More than about 24 hours ago | eBrain can't push a free-form message, so you may get **one short nudge** inviting you to continue. The actual content is **held** until you reply, then delivered as soon as you send any message. | {% hint style="warning" %} Held content waits up to **7 days**. If you never reply in that time, it expires. eBrain also sends **at most one nudge per 24 hours**, so you won't be spammed. {% endhint %} {% hint style="info" %} **The simple takeaway:** to get proactive nudges instantly, keep your WhatsApp chat with Tim active. If you haven't messaged in a while, your next reminder or check-in may arrive as a short prompt to continue, with the full message landing right after you reply. {% endhint %} ## Before you start To use either feature you need: * A linked WhatsApp number. See [Using eBrain on WhatsApp](/ebrain-on-whatsapp/getting-started.md) to connect. * For **proactive check-ins**: flip the toggle in **Settings -> Integrations**, then optionally set the cadence and active hours. * For **reminders**: nothing extra. Just ask Tim. {% hint style="info" %} Depending on your account, proactive features may not be switched on yet. If you've linked WhatsApp and turned check-ins on but aren't seeing anything, that's normal when there's nothing to flag, but you can also check [Troubleshooting](/help/troubleshooting.md). {% endhint %} --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.ebrain.ai/ebrain-on-whatsapp/proactive-and-reminders.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. 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