To create a Capitão Tool that fetches freight quotes, use a custom HTTP Tool on the Papo platform (https://papo.global/). It connects the assistant to your carrier's or logistics platform's API and allows the AI to interpret data such as destination postal code (CEP), weight, and dimensions sent by the customer, query the external system, and automatically return the freight cost during the WhatsApp conversation.
With this setup, Capitão is no longer just an assistant that answers questions and starts performing practical logistics actions. The customer can ask “How much is freight to CEP 02030‑040?” and immediately receive a response such as “Freight to this CEP is R$ 18.90 with a delivery time of 3 business days,” without human intervention. This reduces purchase friction, speeds up service, and frees the team for more complex negotiations.
Configuration summary
| Step | What to do | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Access Capitão settings | Open the assistant settings in Papo. | Exact menu names may vary. |
| 2. Create custom Tool | Use the HTTP type to connect Capitão to a carrier API. | Requires technical knowledge of HTTP requests. |
| 3. Define the endpoint | Enter the URL of the API that calculates freight (e.g., Correios, Braspress, Intelipost). | Example: https://api.transportadora.com/v1/cotacao. |
| 4. Configure method and authentication | Use POST or GET with security headers, such as an access token. | Example: Authorization: Bearer your_api_key. |
| 5. Send quote data | Allow Capitão to extract from the conversation the postal code (CEP), weight, format, or other parameters required by the API. | The action becomes dynamic according to what the customer provides. |
| 6. Connect to WhatsApp | Enable the assistant in the WhatsApp inbox. | The quote starts working in real time during service. |
How freight quoting works with Capitão
The flow connects a common customer question to a real-time calculation:
- The customer requests a quote: Sends a message such as “What is the freight to CEP 04123‑000?”.
- Capitão interprets the intent: Based on the instructions and Tool descriptions, it recognizes that it should use the quote Tool.
- The Tool is triggered: The assistant sends the values extracted from the conversation (CEP, product weight, etc.) to the carrier's endpoint.
- The API returns the cost and delivery time: The external system returns a JSON with the available freight options.
- Capitão responds to the customer: The AI translates this data into a natural response, such as “We have PAC for R$ 22.90 (7 days) and Sedex for R$ 39.50 (2 days).”
The entire process happens without a human agent needing to copy the CEP and open another system.
Prerequisites for setting up the quote Tool
Before creating the Tool, you need to have:
- A Capitão assistant already created on the Papo platform, with a defined name and description.
- An available carrier API, whether from Correios, a logistics platform (Intelipost, Frenet, SuperFrete), or your own delivery management system.
- The endpoint URL that will be called to calculate freight.
- Authentication credentials (API key, token, or specific header) so the request is secure.
- Knowledge of APIs and HTTP requests, as custom Tool configuration is advanced.
If your carrier does not offer a public API, you will need to develop an intermediary or use a quoting solution that already exposes an endpoint. Technical specifications must be validated with the development team or the provider's documentation.
Native vs. custom Tools for logistics
Papo offers two types of Tools for Capitão:
| Type | Description | Use example | Technical knowledge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native | Preconfigured integrations ready to use on the platform. | Schedule a demonstration in Google Calendar. | Low, just enable and connect the account. |
| Custom (HTTP) | Custom actions that connect to external systems via API. | Check real-time freight quotes on WhatsApp. | Advanced, requires APIs and HTTP requests. |
To fetch freight quotes, the recommended path is the custom HTTP Tool, because the calculation depends on each carrier or logistics operator. There is no generic native integration for any carrier; you will need the specific endpoint of the quoting service you use.
Setting up the custom Tool for freight quoting
The conceptual process for enabling this automation follows clear logic, without needing to memorize screen or button names:
- Access the assistant settings: In the Papo panel, go to the Capitão configuration area where Tools are managed.
- Create a custom HTTP Tool: Choose the option that allows connecting to an external system via API.
- Provide the request data: Fill in the carrier endpoint URL, the HTTP method (usually POST, because you send the CEP and receive the calculation), and authentication headers, such as
Authorization: Bearer your_key. - Define dynamic parameters: The big advantage is that Capitão can use information the customer provides in the conversation. You can configure the Tool to send the CEP that appeared in the message, the product's default weight, or the package format. The Tool will interpret these values automatically.
- Instruct Capitão on how to respond: In the Tool description or the assistant guidelines, you can guide the AI to present the cost and delivery time in a friendly way, such as “Your freight to CEP … costs R$ … and arrives in …”.
- Connect the assistant to the inbox: Make sure Capitão is enabled for WhatsApp (or another channel) where customers will ask the question.
After configuration, any message that mentions “freight,” “quote,” or “shipping” will trigger the flow—as long as Capitão recognizes the intent. The final response comes from the carrier's real data, without an employee needing to intervene.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to have an API from my carrier to use this Tool?
Yes. The custom HTTP Tool works by calling an endpoint that returns the freight cost. If your carrier does not offer an API, you can use a quoting service (such as Intelipost, Frenet, or SuperFrete) that consolidates multiple carriers and provides a single endpoint.
How does Capitão know which CEP or weight to use?
During configuration, you can indicate that the CEP value should be extracted directly from the customer's message. The Tool uses dynamic variables to capture this data. The assistant can also confirm with the customer if the information is incomplete, depending on the instructions you provide.
Is a developer required to configure it?
Yes. Creating a custom HTTP Tool requires knowledge of APIs, HTTP methods, and authentication. Usually, a developer or someone experienced with integrations performs this step. Papo does not provide the carrier endpoint, only the infrastructure to connect it.
Is the freight quote recorded in Papo's CRM?
The conversation history and the generated response are saved in the inbox. Papo does not automatically create a quote record in a specific module (such as a deal in Kanban), but you can complement the flow using other automations, such as webhooks, to create a lead or task from this interaction.
Can I use this same Tool to check delivery times?
Yes. Usually the freight API response already includes the estimated delivery time. The Tool can be configured to display both the cost and the delivery time in Capitão's response.
Is there an additional cost for using custom Tools?
Custom Tools are part of Capitão's features for accounts that have access to this resource. For details on availability by plan, consult the Papo website.
Read also
- How to configure Capitão to check order status in real time
- How to generate a public key and a secret key for the Papo API
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