Observation First
Every new group logs rule matches before it can delete. The minimum observation period is 24 hours.
Open source · Moderation works without AI Keep Spam Out.
Keep Spam Out.
Protect Your WhatsApp Account.
GroupGuard gives WhatsApp admins 14 local moderation rules, a guided setup, and conservative defaults. New groups start by observing. You decide when one rule can delete.
14 Local Guards
0 AI Keys Required
24h Observation First
Sound Familiar?
You want less spam. You do not want a moderation tool to put the WhatsApp account behind your group at greater risk.
Today
Uncle Bob Forwarded
Good morning! Have a blessed day! 🌅🙏✨
6:02 AM
Uncle Bob Forwarded
You won't BELIEVE what they found in this lake 🤯
totally-real-news.biz/article... 6:03 AM
Cousin Dave
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
6:04 AM
Cousin Dave
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
6:04 AM
Cousin Dave
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
6:04 AM
Random Guy
@everyone hey quick question does anyone know a good dentist??
2:47 AM
BEST DEALS 💰
🔥🔥🔥 AMAZING OFFER!!! Click NOW for 90% OFF!!! 🔥🔥🔥
3:12 AM
BEST DEALS 💰
🔥🔥🔥 AMAZING OFFER!!! Click NOW for 90% OFF!!! 🔥🔥🔥
3:12 AM
Moderation should reduce the mess without creating a new emergency.
From Install to Enforcement
The default path earns trust before it deletes anything
1
Link a Separate Number
Run the guided setup on your computer and link WhatsApp with a QR code. Use a number you can afford to lose, not your main personal or business account.
2
Choose Your Groups
Select the groups GroupGuard may inspect. Each one starts with a conservative spam guard, admin exemption, no DMs, and no deletion.
3
Observe, Review, Then Unlock
Review at least 24 hours of matches. When the rule looks right, unlock enforcement from the server. Start with one group and one narrow rule.
Safe defaults Read Safe Operations
Safety Is Part of the Product
GroupGuard favors a missed action over a repeated or uncertain account mutation. These controls apply before any deletion or outbound message.
Two Enforcement Gates
The group must leave observation mode and a local operator must open the enforcement lock outside WhatsApp.
Budgets and Circuit Breakers
Hard action budgets, timeouts, duplicate protection, and a shared failure circuit stop uncertain work from repeating.
AI Stays Optional
Local guards need no Docker or AI key. The Claude agent, scheduled tasks, DMs, and typing indicators start disabled.
Use a separate WhatsApp number
GroupGuard uses WhatsApp's unofficial linked-device protocol because Meta's official API does not expose consumer-group moderation. WhatsApp may restrict automated accounts. No tool can promise otherwise.
Deterministic Rules for the Everyday Mess
GroupGuard evaluates 14 local guards without sending messages to an AI. A fresh installation logs matches in observation mode. Deletion and private notices stay off until a local operator enables them.
Spam Shield 5 messages in 10 seconds? Not anymore. Slow Mode One. Message. At. A. Time. Link Patrol Keep sketchy links out. Quiet Hours Because nobody needs messages at 3 AM. Forward Blocker Break the chain (messages). Content Rules Your group, your content rules. Word Filter Some things don't need to be said. VIP Mode Only the chosen ones may speak. Optional Agent Tasks Add automation only when you need it.
Spam Shield
5 messages in 10 seconds? Not anymore.
Choose how many messages one person may send in a short window. GroupGuard logs every match first. After you unlock enforcement, it can remove the matching message and, if enabled, send a private explanation.
Example after enforcement and private notices are enabled
Dave Need a plumber ASAP 9:41
Dave Mine just cancelled on me 9:41
Dave Anyone??? Hello??? 9:41 Removed
🛡️ Message removed: too many too fast
🔒 Private message
GroupGuard → Dave Slow down! Max 2 messages per 10 seconds.
Slow Mode
One. Message. At. A. Time.
Set a minimum delay between messages from each person. In observation mode, GroupGuard records who would hit the limit. Unlock enforcement only after the timing fits the group.
Example after enforcement and private notices are enabled
Karen The school play budget is ridiculous 2:15 PM
Tom I think it's fine honestly 2:16 PM
Karen No way, we need to cut... 2:16 PM Removed
⏳ Slow mode: 1 message per 5 minutes
🔒 Private message
GroupGuard → Karen You can send another message in 4 minutes.
Link Patrol
Keep sketchy links out.
Match messages that contain URLs while exempting admins by default. Review the matches first, then unlock removal if a no-links policy fits the group.
Example after enforcement and private notices are enabled
Uncle Steve You HAVE to see this!! totally-not-a-scam.biz/free... 10:33 AM Removed
🔗 Link removed
🔒 Private message
GroupGuard → Steve Links aren't allowed in this group. Ask an admin to share it.
Quiet Hours
Because nobody needs messages at 3 AM.
Choose the hours when members should not post. GroupGuard first records matching messages, so you can check the schedule and timezone before enabling removal.
Example after enforcement and private notices are enabled
Jake Hey did anyone finish the report? 2:17 AM Removed
🌙 Removed: quiet hours (10 PM to 7 AM)
🔒 Private message
GroupGuard → Jake Group is in quiet hours until 7:00 AM. Try again in the morning!
Forward Blocker
Break the chain (messages).
Detect forwarded messages such as "send this to 10 people for good luck." GroupGuard logs them first. You can unlock removal after checking that legitimate forwards will not be caught.
Example after enforcement and private notices are enabled
Aunt Linda Forwarded Send this to 10 people and good luck will come!! 🙏✨🌈 8:45 AM Removed
⛔ Forwarded message removed
🔒 Private message
GroupGuard → Linda Forwarded messages aren't allowed in this group.
Content Rules
Your group, your content rules.
Choose which content types are allowed, such as text only, no stickers, or videos only. You can also limit message length. New policies remain in observation mode until you review their matches.
Example after enforcement and private notices are enabled
Mike 📸 [Image] 3:22 PM Removed
📋 Image removed: text-only group
🔒 Private message
GroupGuard → Mike Only text messages are allowed here. No images, stickers, or videos.
Word Filter
Some things don't need to be said.
Match specific words or phrases while respecting word boundaries, so "class" does not trigger on "classic." Review the matches before enabling removal.
Example after enforcement and private notices are enabled
Tom OMG Dumbledore actually d... 7:30 PM Removed
🚫 Spoiler removed
🔒 Private message
GroupGuard → Tom Your message contained a blocked word. No spoilers!
VIP Mode
Only the chosen ones may speak.
Define who may post in an announcement-style group. Messages from everyone else are logged first and can be removed only after you unlock enforcement.
Example after enforcement and private notices are enabled
New Hire When's the next product release? 4:20 PM Removed
⭐ Only approved members can post
🔒 Private message
GroupGuard → New Hire This is a restricted group. Contact an admin to get posting access.
Optional Agent Tasks
Add automation only when you need it.
The optional Claude agent can schedule reminders and research updates in plain language. It stays disabled by default and requires Docker plus your own AI credentials. Core moderation does not depend on it.
Example after enforcement and private notices are enabled
⏰ Scheduled message
GroupGuard 🏃 Saturday run reminder! Meeting at the park entrance at 7 AM. Weather: 68°F and sunny ☀️ Fri 6:00 PM
Alex See you there! 🙋♂️ Fri 6:15 PM
Coming soon
Try the Idea Before You Install It
A public GroupGuard Playground is in development. When it opens, you will be able to run a few fixed moderation scenarios inside a dedicated WhatsApp group and see the result for yourself.
The Playground is not live yet. Leave your email and we will send one update when it opens.
Follow Development on GitHubThe public demo will not run AI, delete visitor messages, or send private messages.
Choose How You Want to Run It
Self-hosting is available now. A managed service is still in development.
Self-Hosted
Free available now
Run GroupGuard on hardware you control and keep the account state local.
- All 14 moderation guards
- Guided setup and diagnostics
- Observation-first enforcement
- No Docker or AI key required
- Unlimited groups
- Full access to the code
Coming soon
Managed Service
Coming Soon join the waitlist
A future option for admins who do not want to maintain their own runtime.
- Deployment managed for you
- Conservative defaults preserved
- Updates and monitoring
- Pricing is not set yet
- No launch date promised
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you wanted to know (and some things you didn't)
Is this really free?
The self-hosted code is open source under the MIT license. You may still pay for a separate WhatsApp number, an always-on VM, or the optional AI provider. The managed service is not available yet and its pricing has not been set.
Do you read my messages?
A self-hosted installation processes messages on the machine you control. The GroupGuard maintainers do not receive them. The optional AI agent can send selected triggered context to your configured AI provider, so leave it disabled unless you need it.
How does it connect to WhatsApp?
The same way WhatsApp Web works. You scan a QR code, and GroupGuard appears as another linked device on the account.
Will I get banned from WhatsApp?
There is no ban guarantee. GroupGuard uses an unofficial linked-device protocol because Meta's official API does not support consumer-group moderation. Use a separate number you can afford to lose, keep the default limits, and stop if WhatsApp shows a warning.
What happens when a message is blocked?
At first, GroupGuard records the match and leaves the message alone. After at least 24 hours, a local operator can unlock deletion for one group. Private notices remain off unless the operator enables them.
Can admins bypass the rules?
Yes! By default, group admins are exempt from all moderation rules. You can turn this off if you want everyone treated equally, but most groups prefer letting admins post freely.
What do I need to install it myself?
You need Node.js 20 or newer and a separate WhatsApp number. Use your computer for linking and a supervised test. For continuous operation, move the installation to a dedicated low-privilege VM. Docker is only needed for the optional agent.
Does it work in languages other than English?
Yes. The word filter accepts terms in any language. Other guards inspect message properties such as links, forwards, and media types, so they do not depend on the message language.
How customizable is it?
Very. Every protection has settings you can tweak (how many messages are allowed, during which hours, which words to block, etc.). Each group gets its own separate settings. And if you're technical, the code is open source so you can change anything.
Can I use it for multiple groups?
Absolutely. One GroupGuard manages multiple WhatsApp groups at the same time, each with its own rules and its own scheduled tasks. Groups are completely separate from each other.
What about the hosted version?
It is still in development. The site does not promise a launch date, feature list, or price. Join the waitlist if you want an update when there is something concrete to test.
Can I join the GroupGuard Playground?
Not yet. The Playground will be a dedicated public WhatsApp group with fixed, rate-limited demo commands. It will not expose free-form AI or delete visitor messages. We will add an invite only after the account, moderation coverage, and incident process are ready.
Want the Managed Option?
Leave your email and we will contact you when there is a concrete managed-service test. This list is separate from the Playground.
Start With Observation, Then Earn Enforcement
Link a separate number, choose one group, and review what GroupGuard would catch before it changes anything.