> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.gallabox.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.gallabox.com/~/changes/A8xmww5XU9i8x7QbfPLe/conversations/initiate-a-new-chat.md).
# Initiate a New Chat
You can initiate a Chat with a customer if you have added their contact in Gallabox or you can add a contact and then send the customer a WhatsApp Template.
{% hint style="info" %}
You can only use [WhatsApp Templates](/~/changes/A8xmww5XU9i8x7QbfPLe/basic-modules/whatsapp-templates.md) to initiate a conversation with a customer.
{% endhint %}
## Initiate chat with Customers in 4 ways
### Start Chat with Saved Contact in Gallabox Conversations
Follow the below steps to start a chat with the saved contact.
1. From the dashboard, go to "**Conversations**".
2. Click on to choose the contact you want to start the conversation with. Once you select the contact, the chat window will open.
3. To start a chat with this contact, select a pre-approved template that you would want to send to the contact, fill variables and click send.
### Send WhatsApp Template to Unsaved Contact in Gallabox
If you want to send a message to a contact which is not yet saved on Gallabox, you can *create a contact* and then send a WhatsApp Template as a first Interaction.
Follow the GIF below:
### Individually Send Text to Gallabox Contact
If you individually want to send a text to a contact (*while you are scrolling your contacts in Gallabox*), you can send it by clicking on as shown in the GIF below:
### Responding to the customer's message
When a customer sends you a message, you can instantly respond and engage in a chat conversation.
### Related Reads