.. _faq:

FAQ
===

**Does Astra require a phone to stay connected?**
   Yes.  WhatsApp requires a linked phone.  If your phone goes offline for
   more than ~14 days, the linked device session expires.

**Can I run multiple bots on the same phone number?**
   Yes -- use different ``session_id`` values.  Each session creates a separate
   linked device.  WhatsApp allows up to 4 linked devices per account.

**Will I get banned?**
   WhatsApp can ban accounts that exhibit automated behavior (mass messaging,
   rapid-fire operations).  Use reasonable delays and do not spam.  Astra is
   designed for personal automation, not bulk outreach.

**Does Astra support WhatsApp Business API?**
   No.  Astra automates the consumer WhatsApp Web client.  For the official
   Business API, see Meta's Cloud API documentation.

**Can I send images and files?**
   Yes.  Use ``client.chat.send_media(chat_id, file_path, caption)``.

**What happens if the browser crashes?**
   Astra detects browser crashes (``BrowserCrashError``) and can automatically
   attempt recovery.  The SyncEngine will re-inject the bridge if the page
   reloads.

**Can I deploy on a Raspberry Pi?**
   Chromium runs on ARM Linux, so Astra works on Raspberry Pi 4 and newer.
   Expect higher memory usage (~400 MB) due to the browser.

**What Python versions are supported?**
   Python 3.9 and above.

**How do I update Astra?**
   ``pip install --upgrade astra-engine``

**Where are sessions stored?**
   In ``.astra_sessions/<session_id>/`` relative to your working directory.
   This directory contains browser profile data including cookies and
   local storage.

**How do I log out?**
   Call ``await client.logout()`` or delete the session directory.