OpenCart sms plugin documentation

Requirements

Before installing the plugin, make sure your environment meets the following requirements:

Installation

Follow these steps to install the RCSzilla plugin on your OpenCart store:

1. 1 Download the ZIP from the Plugins page.
2. 2 Extract the ZIP and copy the upload/ folder contents into your OpenCart root directory via FTP or file manager.
3. 3 In the admin panel, go to Extensions → Extensions → Modules.
4. 4 Find RCS Zilla SMS / WhatsApp Notifications and click Install, then Edit.
5. 5 Log into your RCS Zilla admin panel, go to Devices, and copy your Device API Token (format: ABCD1234EFGH5678).
6. 6 Paste the API Token into the API Token field, choose your default channel (SMS or WhatsApp), and set the module status to Enabled.
7. 7 Click Save, then use the Send Test Message button to confirm messages are delivered.

Configuration

After installation, open Extensions → Extensions → Modules → RCS Zilla SMS / WhatsApp Notifications → Edit. The settings panel has five tabs:

• 1General tab — Enter your API Token, choose the default Channel (SMS or WhatsApp), set the module to Enabled, and optionally enter a test phone number to use the Send Test button.
• 2Order Status tab — Enable or disable notifications for each of the 14 order statuses and customise the message template for each.
• 3Abandoned Cart tab — Enable abandoned-cart reminders, set the delay in minutes (1–10,080) and customise the message template.
• 4New Customer tab — Enable a welcome SMS sent when a new account is registered and customise the message template.
• 5Admin Alerts tab — Enter an admin phone number and enable order alerts so the admin is notified by SMS/WhatsApp every time a new order reaches Pending status.

Message Template Variables

Use these placeholders inside any message template — they are replaced automatically at send time:

• 1Order Status & Admin Alert: {order_id}, {order_date}, {order_total}, {first_name}, {last_name}, {shipping_method}, {order_status}, {store_name}, {store_url}
• 2Abandoned Cart: {first_name}, {last_name}, {cart_total}, {store_name}, {store_url}, {cart_url}
• 3New Customer: {first_name}, {last_name}, {email}, {store_name}, {store_url}

Getting your Device API Token

The plugin authenticates using a Device API Token from your RCS Zilla installation — this is not a generic API key.

1. 1Log into your RCS Zilla admin panel.
2. 2Navigate to Devices.
3. 3Scan the QR code with the RCS Zilla Android app to pair a device, or select an existing paired device.
4. 4Copy the token shown below the QR code. It looks like: ABCD1234EFGH5678.
5. 5Paste it into the API Token field in the OpenCart plugin settings and click Save.

Testing the integration

The plugin has a built-in test tool on the General tab. Enter a phone number in the Test Phone field (international format, e.g. +40712345678) and click Send Test Message. A live message will be sent immediately via your paired device.

Troubleshooting

• 1API Token invalid / "API Token is required" — Check for leading or trailing spaces when pasting. Make sure you copied the token from the Devices page in RCS Zilla.
• 2Messages not sending after a status change — Confirm the relevant status checkbox is ticked on the Order Status tab and that the module is set to Enabled. Check OpenCart's error log for any RCS Zilla: send failed HTTP … entries.
• 3Test button shows an error — Verify your server can reach https://app.rcszilla.com. cURL must be enabled in PHP.
• 4Abandoned cart reminders not sending — The check runs once per minute on the store home page. Ensure the delay is set correctly and the customer was logged in when they added items to cart.
• 5Module not appearing in Extensions list — Confirm the upload/ folder contents (not the folder itself) were copied to the OpenCart root.
• 6PHP errors on install — Verify PHP 7.2 or higher is running and that cURL is enabled. Check the OpenCart error log for details.

If the issue persists, contact our support team via the contact form and include the relevant lines from the OpenCart error log.

Changelog

• 1v1.6.2 — Improved compatibility with OpenCart 4.x, fixed abandoned cart throttle table edge case.
• 2v1.0.0 — Initial release. Order-status notifications for 14 statuses, abandoned-cart reminders, new-customer welcome SMS, admin order alerts, SMS and WhatsApp channel support, built-in test button.