diff --git a/checkers-app/src/App.tsx b/checkers-app/src/App.tsx
index c826229c..5e8fe68f 100644
--- a/checkers-app/src/App.tsx
+++ b/checkers-app/src/App.tsx
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ export const router = createBrowserRouter([
 ]);
 
 function App() {
-  const { setCheckerId, setCheckerName, setAuthScopes } = useUser();
+  const { setCheckerDetails, setAuthScopes } = useUser();
   const [isLoading, setIsLoading] = useState(true);
   //for global states: userID, name and messages
 
@@ -74,16 +74,16 @@ function App() {
             }
             if (data.isNewUser || data.isOnboardingComplete === false) {
               // TODO BRENNAN: Redirect to onboarding page
-              signInWithToken(
-                data.customToken,
-                setCheckerId,
-                setCheckerName,
-                data.checkerId,
-                data.name
-              )
+              signInWithToken(data.customToken)
                 .then(() => {
                   // Handle post-signIn success actions here, if any
-                  console.log("Sign-in successful");
+                  setCheckerDetails((currentChecker) => ({
+                    ...currentChecker,
+                    checkerId: data.checkerId,
+                    checkerName: data.name,
+                    isAdmin: data.isAdmin,
+                    tier: data.tier,
+                  }));
                   setAuthScopes(data);
                   router.navigate("/onboarding");
                 })
@@ -97,16 +97,15 @@ function App() {
               setAuthScopes(data);
             } else {
               //if existing user
-              signInWithToken(
-                data.customToken,
-                setCheckerId,
-                setCheckerName,
-                data.checkerId,
-                data.name
-              )
+              signInWithToken(data.customToken)
                 .then(() => {
-                  // Handle post-signIn success actions here, if any
-                  console.log("Sign-in successful");
+                  setCheckerDetails((currentChecker) => ({
+                    ...currentChecker,
+                    checkerId: data.checkerId,
+                    checkerName: data.name,
+                    isAdmin: data.isAdmin,
+                    tier: data.tier,
+                  }));
                 })
                 .catch((err) => {
                   console.error(
@@ -121,12 +120,11 @@ function App() {
             console.error("Error fetching custom token:", err);
           })
           .finally(() => {
-            console.log("Sign-in complete");
             setIsLoading(false);
           });
       }
     }
-  }, [setCheckerId, setCheckerName]);
+  }, [setCheckerDetails]);
 
   if (isLoading) {
     return <Loading />;
diff --git a/checkers-app/src/components/common/BotNavBar.tsx b/checkers-app/src/components/common/BotNavBar.tsx
index 19475016..c5cf6625 100644
--- a/checkers-app/src/components/common/BotNavBar.tsx
+++ b/checkers-app/src/components/common/BotNavBar.tsx
@@ -9,9 +9,9 @@ import {
 
 export default function NavbarDefault() {
   const navigate = useNavigate();
-  const { pendingCount } = useUser();
+  const { checkerDetails } = useUser();
   // Helper function to decide if the badge is invisible
-  const isBadgeInvisible = pendingCount === 0;
+  const isBadgeInvisible = checkerDetails.pendingCount === 0;
 
   return (
     <Navbar className="fixed bottom-0 left-0 z-50 w-full h-16 bg-primary-color2 dark:bg-dark-highlight-color border-0">
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ export default function NavbarDefault() {
           <Badge
             invisible={isBadgeInvisible}
             color="teal"
-            content={pendingCount}
+            content={checkerDetails.pendingCount}
             placement="top-end"
           >
             <CheckBadgeIcon className="h-7 w-7 text-white" />
diff --git a/checkers-app/src/components/dashboard/index.tsx b/checkers-app/src/components/dashboard/index.tsx
index e0da2457..727a44d6 100644
--- a/checkers-app/src/components/dashboard/index.tsx
+++ b/checkers-app/src/components/dashboard/index.tsx
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import Loading from "../common/Loading";
 
 export default function Dashboard() {
   const [isLoading, setIsLoading] = useState(false);
-  const { checkerId, pendingCount, setPendingCount } = useUser();
+  const { checkerDetails, setCheckerDetails } = useUser();
   const [totalVotes, setTotalVotes] = useState<number>(0);
   const [accuracyRate, setAccuracyRate] = useState<number | null>(0);
   const [avgResponseTime, setAvgResponseTime] = useState<number>(0);
@@ -19,23 +19,23 @@ export default function Dashboard() {
   useEffect(() => {
     const fetchChecker = async () => {
       setIsLoading(true);
-      if (!checkerId) {
+      if (!checkerDetails.checkerId) {
         return;
       }
-      const checker: Checker = await getChecker(checkerId);
+      const checker: Checker = await getChecker(checkerDetails.checkerId);
       if (checker) {
         setTotalVotes(checker.last30days.totalVoted);
         setAccuracyRate(checker.last30days.accuracyRate);
         setAvgResponseTime(checker.last30days.averageResponseTime);
         setPeopleHelped(checker.last30days.peopleHelped);
-        setPendingCount(checker.pendingVoteCount);
+        //setPendingCount(checker.pendingVoteCount);
         setIsLoading(false);
       }
     };
-    if (checkerId) {
+    if (checkerDetails.checkerId) {
       fetchChecker();
     }
-  }, [checkerId]);
+  }, [checkerDetails.checkerId]);
 
   if (isLoading) {
     return <Loading />;
@@ -43,8 +43,11 @@ export default function Dashboard() {
 
   return (
     <div className="flex flex-col gap-y-4 left-right-padding">
-      {pendingCount > 0 && (
-        <PendingMessageAlert hasPending={true} pendingCount={pendingCount} />
+      {checkerDetails.pendingCount > 0 && (
+        <PendingMessageAlert
+          hasPending={true}
+          pendingCount={checkerDetails.pendingCount}
+        />
       )}
       {/* {reviewCount > 0 && (
         <PendingMessageAlert hasPending={false} pendingCount={pendingCount} />
diff --git a/checkers-app/src/components/myvotes/MessagesDisplay.tsx b/checkers-app/src/components/myvotes/MessagesDisplay.tsx
index bd260331..93d28145 100644
--- a/checkers-app/src/components/myvotes/MessagesDisplay.tsx
+++ b/checkers-app/src/components/myvotes/MessagesDisplay.tsx
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ import { VoteSummary, VoteSummaryApiResponse } from "../../types";
 import Pagination from "./Pagination"; // Make sure to create this component
 
 const MessagesDisplay: FC = () => {
-  const { checkerId } = useUser();
+  const { checkerDetails } = useUser();
   const [isLoading, setIsLoading] = useState(false);
   const [votes, setVotes] = useState<VoteSummary[]>([]);
   const [lastPath, setLastPath] = useState<string | null>(null);
@@ -39,11 +39,11 @@ const MessagesDisplay: FC = () => {
     const fetchMessages = async () => {
       setIsLoading(true);
       try {
-        if (!checkerId) {
+        if (!checkerDetails.checkerId) {
           throw new Error("Checker Id missing.");
         }
         const response: VoteSummaryApiResponse = await getCheckerVotes(
-          checkerId,
+          checkerDetails.checkerId,
           activeTab.toLowerCase(),
           5,
           lastPath
@@ -60,10 +60,10 @@ const MessagesDisplay: FC = () => {
         setIsLoading(false);
       }
     };
-    if (checkerId) {
+    if (checkerDetails.checkerId) {
       fetchMessages();
     }
-  }, [checkerId, activeTab, currentPage]);
+  }, [checkerDetails.checkerId, activeTab, currentPage]);
 
   const handleTabChange = (tab: "pending" | "voted") => {
     setActiveTab(tab);
diff --git a/checkers-app/src/components/vote/CustomReply.tsx b/checkers-app/src/components/vote/CustomReply.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a7d93d9e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/checkers-app/src/components/vote/CustomReply.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,121 @@
+import React, { useState, useEffect } from "react";
+import { Alert } from "@material-tailwind/react";
+import { useNavigate } from "react-router-dom";
+import {
+  getMessage,
+  postCustomReply,
+  sendWhatsappTestMessage,
+} from "../../services/api";
+import { useUser } from "../../providers/UserContext";
+
+interface PropType {
+  messageId: string | undefined;
+}
+
+export default function CustomReply(Prop: PropType) {
+  //load props
+  const navigate = useNavigate();
+  const { messageId } = Prop;
+  const { checkerDetails } = useUser();
+  const [customReplyText, setCustomReplyText] = useState("");
+  const [showAlerts, setShowAlerts] = useState(false);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const fetchMessage = async () => {
+      if (messageId) {
+        const message = await getMessage(messageId);
+        if (message.customReply) {
+          setCustomReplyText(message?.customReply?.text ?? "");
+        } else {
+          setCustomReplyText("");
+        }
+      }
+    };
+    if (messageId) {
+      fetchMessage();
+    }
+  }, []);
+
+  const handleInputChange = (event: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLTextAreaElement>) => {
+    setCustomReplyText(event.target.value);
+  };
+
+  const handleSubmit = () => {
+    // Implement what happens when the comment is posted (e.g., send to a server)
+    if (checkerDetails.checkerId && customReplyText && messageId) {
+      postCustomReply(
+        messageId,
+        checkerDetails.checkerId,
+        customReplyText
+      ).then(() => {
+        console.log("Custom reply posted successfully");
+        navigate("/votes");
+      });
+    }
+  };
+
+  const handleWhatsappTest = () => {
+    if (checkerDetails.checkerId && customReplyText) {
+      sendWhatsappTestMessage(checkerDetails.checkerId, customReplyText)
+        .then((data) => {
+          console.log(data);
+          console.log("Test is successfull");
+          setShowAlerts(false);
+        })
+        .catch((error) => {
+          console.error(error);
+          setShowAlerts(true);
+        });
+    }
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <div className="relative w-full md:w-[32rem]">
+      <div className="relative w-full min-w-[200px]">
+        <textarea
+          rows={8}
+          value={customReplyText}
+          onChange={handleInputChange}
+          className="peer h-full min-h-[100px] w-full resize-none rounded-[7px] border border-blue-gray-200 border-t-transparent bg-transparent px-3 py-2.5 font-sans text-sm font-normal text-blue-gray-700 outline outline-0 transition-all placeholder-shown:border placeholder-shown:border-blue-gray-200 placeholder-shown:border-t-blue-gray-200 focus:border-2 focus:border-gray-900 focus:border-t-transparent focus:outline-0"
+          placeholder=" "
+        />
+        <label className="before:content[' '] after:content[' '] pointer-events-none absolute left-0 -top-1.5 flex h-full w-full select-none text-[11px] font-normal leading-tight text-blue-gray-400 transition-all before:pointer-events-none before:mt-[6.5px] before:mr-1 before:box-border before:block before:h-1.5 before:w-2.5 before:rounded-tl-md before:border-t before:border-l before:border-blue-gray-200 before:transition-all after:pointer-events-none after:mt-[6.5px] after:ml-1 after:box-border after:block after:h-1.5 after:w-2.5 after:flex-grow after:rounded-tr-md after:border-t after:border-r after:border-blue-gray-200 after:transition-all peer-placeholder-shown:text-sm peer-placeholder-shown:leading-[3.75] peer-placeholder-shown:text-blue-gray-500 peer-placeholder-shown:before:border-transparent peer-placeholder-shown:after:border-transparent peer-focus:text-[11px] peer-focus:leading-tight peer-focus:text-gray-900 peer-focus:before:border-t-2 peer-focus:before:border-l-2 peer-focus:before:!border-gray-900 peer-focus:after:border-t-2 peer-focus:after:border-r-2 peer-focus:after:!border-gray-900">
+          Custom Reply
+        </label>
+      </div>
+      <div className="flex w-full justify-between py-1.5">
+        <button
+          className="relative h-8 max-h-[32px] w-8 max-w-[32px] select-none rounded-lg text-center align-middle font-sans text-xs font-medium uppercase text-blue-gray-500 transition-all hover:bg-blue-gray-500/10 active:bg-blue-gray-500/30"
+          type="button"
+        >
+          {/* SVG here */}
+        </button>
+        <div className="flex gap-2">
+          <button
+            onClick={handleWhatsappTest}
+            className="px-4 py-2 font-sans text-xs font-bold text-center text-gray-900 uppercase align-middle transition-all rounded-md select-none hover:bg-gray-900/10 active:bg-gray-900/20"
+            type="button"
+          >
+            Test on WhatsApp
+          </button>
+          <button
+            onClick={handleSubmit}
+            className="select-none rounded-md bg-gray-900 py-2 px-4 text-center align-middle font-sans text-xs font-bold uppercase text-white shadow-md shadow-gray-900/10 transition-all hover:shadow-lg hover:shadow-gray-900/20 focus:opacity-[0.85] focus:shadow-none active:opacity-[0.85] active:shadow-none"
+            type="button"
+          >
+            Submit Custom Reply
+          </button>
+        </div>
+        {showAlerts && (
+          <Alert
+            color="amber"
+            open={showAlerts}
+            onClose={() => setShowAlerts(false)}
+          >
+            A dismissible alert for showing message.
+          </Alert>
+        )}
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/checkers-app/src/components/vote/index.tsx b/checkers-app/src/components/vote/index.tsx
index c4e6657a..81e4f014 100644
--- a/checkers-app/src/components/vote/index.tsx
+++ b/checkers-app/src/components/vote/index.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import VoteCategories from "./VoteCategories";
 import MessageCard from "./MessageCard";
-import { Typography } from "@material-tailwind/react";
+import { Typography, Alert } from "@material-tailwind/react";
 import { BackButton } from "../common/BackButton";
 import { useEffect, useState } from "react";
 import { useParams } from "react-router-dom";
@@ -11,9 +11,10 @@ import { getVote } from "../../services/api";
 import CategoryRationalisation from "./Rationalisation";
 import VoteResult from "./VoteResult";
 import VotingChart from "./VotingChart";
+import CustomReply from "./CustomReply";
 
 export default function VotePage() {
-  const { checkerId } = useUser();
+  const { checkerDetails } = useUser();
   const { messageId, voteRequestId } = useParams();
   const [isLoading, setIsLoading] = useState(false);
   const [vote, setVote] = useState<Vote | null>(null);
@@ -28,10 +29,10 @@ export default function VotePage() {
       setIsLoading(false);
     };
 
-    if (messageId && voteRequestId && checkerId) {
+    if (messageId && voteRequestId && checkerDetails.checkerId) {
       fetchVote();
     }
-  }, [checkerId]);
+  }, [checkerDetails.checkerId]);
 
   if (isLoading) {
     return <Loading />;
@@ -58,6 +59,7 @@ export default function VotePage() {
           imageUrl={vote.signedImageUrl}
           caption={vote.caption}
         />
+        <Alert variant="ghost">Sender: {vote.sender}</Alert>
         {vote.category === null || !vote.isAssessed ? (
           <>
             <Typography
@@ -107,6 +109,9 @@ export default function VotePage() {
             />
           </>
         )}
+        {checkerDetails.tier === "expert" && (
+          <CustomReply messageId={messageId} />
+        )}
       </div>
     </>
   );
diff --git a/checkers-app/src/pages/Onboarding.tsx b/checkers-app/src/pages/Onboarding.tsx
index 7e4f39d4..b76be396 100644
--- a/checkers-app/src/pages/Onboarding.tsx
+++ b/checkers-app/src/pages/Onboarding.tsx
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { router } from "../App";
 import { useUpdateFactChecker } from "../services/mutations";
 import { sendOTP, checkOTP } from "../services/api";
 import { signInWithToken, signOut } from "../utils/authManagement";
+import { Alert, Button } from "@material-tailwind/react";
 import PhoneInput from "react-phone-number-input";
 
 const NameForm = ({
@@ -120,8 +121,7 @@ const steps: { [key: number]: JSX.Element } = {
 const numberOfSteps = Object.keys(steps).length;
 
 const Onboarding = () => {
-  const { authScopes } = useUser();
-  const { setCheckerId, setCheckerName } = useUser();
+  const { setCheckerDetails, authScopes } = useUser();
   const [whatsappId, setWhatsappId] = useState("");
   const [isOTPSent, setIsOTPSent] = useState(false);
   const [isOTPValidated, setIsOTPValidated] = useState(false);
@@ -134,6 +134,7 @@ const Onboarding = () => {
   const [checkerId, updateCheckerId] = useState(authScopes?.checkerId ?? "");
   const [name, setName] = useState(authScopes?.name ?? "");
   const [currentStep, setCurrentStep] = useState(1);
+  const [showAlerts, setShowAlerts] = useState(false);
 
   const sendWhatsappOTP = () => {
     // Here you would add the logic to actually verify the phone number, probably by sending an API request
@@ -157,33 +158,37 @@ const Onboarding = () => {
           //only for existing checkers
           const customToken = data?.customToken;
           const updatedCheckerId = data?.checkerId;
+          const isAdmin = data?.isAdmin;
+          const tier = data?.tier;
           if (!customToken || !updatedCheckerId) {
             throw new Error("Custom token or checkerId not found in response");
           }
-          console.log("202");
           updateCheckerId(updatedCheckerId);
           setCustomAuthToken(customToken);
           signOut().then(() => {
-            signInWithToken(
-              customToken,
-              setCheckerId,
-              setCheckerName,
-              updatedCheckerId,
-              name
-            ).then(() => {
-              console.log("Sign-in successful");
+            signInWithToken(customToken).then(() => {
+              setCheckerDetails((currentChecker) => ({
+                ...currentChecker,
+                checkerId: updatedCheckerId,
+                checkerName: name,
+                isAdmin: isAdmin ?? false,
+                tier: tier ?? "beginner",
+              }));
+              handleOnCompleteOnboarding(updatedCheckerId); //immediately complete onboarding
             });
           });
         }
         setIsOTPValidated(true);
+        setShowAlerts(false);
         console.log("OTP checked");
       })
       .catch((error) => {
         console.error("Error checking OTP", error);
+        setShowAlerts(true);
       });
   };
 
-  const handleOnCompleteOnboarding = () => {
+  const handleOnCompleteOnboarding = (checkerId: string) => {
     if (!checkerId) {
       throw new Error("Checker ID not found");
     }
@@ -212,15 +217,14 @@ const Onboarding = () => {
           try {
             if (customAuthToken) {
               signOut().then(() => {
-                signInWithToken(
-                  customAuthToken,
-                  setCheckerId,
-                  setCheckerName,
-                  checkerId,
-                  name
-                ).then(() => {
-                  console.log("Sign-in successful");
+                signInWithToken(customAuthToken).then(() => {
+                  setCheckerDetails((currentChecker) => ({
+                    ...currentChecker,
+                    checkerId: checkerId,
+                    checkerName: name,
+                  }));
                   router.navigate("/");
+                  router.navigate(0);
                 });
               });
             }
@@ -283,25 +287,32 @@ const Onboarding = () => {
             >
               Submit
             </button>
+            {showAlerts && (
+              <Alert color="amber">
+                An error occurred. You might have entered the wrong OTP
+              </Alert>
+            )}
           </div>
         )}
 
         {currentStep !== numberOfSteps
           ? isOTPValidated && (
-              <button
-                className="p-2 font-medium rounded-xl bg-checkPrimary600 border"
+              <Button
+                className="bg-checkPrimary600 text-white"
+                ripple={true}
                 onClick={() => setCurrentStep(currentStep + 1)}
               >
-                Next step
-              </button>
+                Next Step
+              </Button>
             )
           : isOTPValidated && (
-              <button
-                className="p-2 font-medium rounded-xl bg-checkPrimary600 border"
-                onClick={() => handleOnCompleteOnboarding()}
+              <Button
+                className="bg-checkPrimary600 text-white"
+                ripple={true}
+                onClick={() => handleOnCompleteOnboarding(checkerId)}
               >
                 Complete Onboarding
-              </button>
+              </Button>
             )}
       </div>
     </div>
diff --git a/checkers-app/src/providers/UserContext.tsx b/checkers-app/src/providers/UserContext.tsx
index 7673b25b..b6dcb61f 100644
--- a/checkers-app/src/providers/UserContext.tsx
+++ b/checkers-app/src/providers/UserContext.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import { getCheckerPendingCount } from "../services/api";
+import { CheckerDetails } from "../types";
 import React, { createContext, useContext, useState } from "react";
 
 type AuthScopes = {
@@ -11,9 +12,7 @@ type AuthScopes = {
 };
 
 interface UserContextProps {
-  checkerId: string | null;
-  checkerName: string;
-  pendingCount: number;
+  checkerDetails: CheckerDetails;
   authScopes: {
     customToken?: string;
     checkerId?: string;
@@ -22,9 +21,11 @@ interface UserContextProps {
     isOnboardingComplete?: boolean;
     isActive?: boolean;
   };
-  setCheckerId: (checkerId: string) => void;
-  setCheckerName: (name: string) => void;
-  setPendingCount: (pendingCount: number) => void;
+  setCheckerDetails: (
+    checker:
+      | CheckerDetails
+      | ((currentChecker: CheckerDetails) => CheckerDetails)
+  ) => void;
   incrementSessionVotedCount: () => void;
   setAuthScopes: (authScopes: AuthScopes) => void;
 }
@@ -32,10 +33,17 @@ interface UserContextProps {
 const UserContext = createContext<UserContextProps | undefined>(undefined);
 
 export const UserProvider = ({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) => {
-  const [checkerId, setCheckerId] = useState<string | null>(null);
-  const [checkerName, setCheckerName] = useState<string>(
-    import.meta.env.MODE === "dev" ? import.meta.env.VITE_CHECKER_NAME : null
-  );
+  const [checker, setChecker] = useState<CheckerDetails>({
+    checkerId: null,
+    checkerName:
+      import.meta.env.MODE === "dev" ? import.meta.env.VITE_CHECKER_NAME : null,
+    pendingCount: 0,
+    isAdmin: import.meta.env.MODE === "dev",
+    tier: import.meta.env.MODE === "dev" ? "expert" : "beginner",
+  });
+  // const [checkerName, setCheckerName] = useState<string>(
+  //   import.meta.env.MODE === "dev" ? import.meta.env.VITE_CHECKER_NAME : null
+  // );
   const [authScopes, setAuthScopes] = useState<AuthScopes>({});
   const [sessionVotedCount, setSessionVotedCount] = useState<number>(0);
 
@@ -44,15 +52,9 @@ export const UserProvider = ({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) => {
     setSessionVotedCount((currentCount) => currentCount + 1);
   };
 
-  const [pendingCount, setPendingCount] = useState<number>(0);
-
   const value = {
-    checkerId,
-    setCheckerId,
-    checkerName,
-    setCheckerName,
-    pendingCount,
-    setPendingCount,
+    checkerDetails: checker,
+    setCheckerDetails: setChecker,
     incrementSessionVotedCount,
     authScopes,
     setAuthScopes,
@@ -60,16 +62,19 @@ export const UserProvider = ({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) => {
 
   //call getCheckerPendingCount and set pendingCount when incrementSessionVotedCount changes
   React.useEffect(() => {
-    if (checkerId) {
-      getCheckerPendingCount(checkerId)
+    if (checker?.checkerId) {
+      getCheckerPendingCount(checker?.checkerId)
         .then((data) => {
-          setPendingCount(data.pendingCount);
+          setChecker((currentChecker) => ({
+            ...currentChecker,
+            pendingCount: data.pendingCount,
+          }));
         })
         .catch((error) => {
           console.error(error);
         });
     }
-  }, [sessionVotedCount, checkerId]);
+  }, [sessionVotedCount, checker.checkerId]);
 
   return <UserContext.Provider value={value}>{children}</UserContext.Provider>;
 };
diff --git a/checkers-app/src/services/api.ts b/checkers-app/src/services/api.ts
index 573b647a..7859295b 100644
--- a/checkers-app/src/services/api.ts
+++ b/checkers-app/src/services/api.ts
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ import app from "../firebase";
 import {
   createChecker,
   updateChecker,
+  postWhatsappTestMessage,
+  upsertCustomReply,
 } from "../../../functions/src/definitions/api/interfaces";
 
 const auth = getAuth(app);
@@ -157,3 +159,49 @@ export const patchVote = async (
     )
   ).data;
 };
+
+export const postCustomReply = async (
+  messageId: string,
+  checkerId: string,
+  customReply: string
+) => {
+  if (!messageId) {
+    throw new Error("Message Id missing.");
+  }
+  if (!checkerId) {
+    throw new Error("Checker Id missing.");
+  }
+  if (!customReply) {
+    throw new Error("Custom reply missing.");
+  }
+  return (
+    await axiosInstance.post(`/api/messages/${messageId}/customReply`, {
+      factCheckerId: checkerId,
+      customReply,
+    } as upsertCustomReply)
+  ).data;
+};
+
+export const getMessage = async (messageId: string) => {
+  if (!messageId) {
+    throw new Error("Message Id missing.");
+  }
+  return (await axiosInstance.get(`/api/messages/${messageId}`)).data;
+};
+
+export const sendWhatsappTestMessage = async (
+  checkerId: string,
+  message: string
+) => {
+  if (!checkerId) {
+    throw new Error("Checker ID missing.");
+  }
+  if (!message) {
+    throw new Error("A message is required");
+  }
+  return (
+    await axiosInstance.post(`/api/checkers/${checkerId}/whatsappTestMessage`, {
+      message,
+    } as postWhatsappTestMessage)
+  ).data;
+};
diff --git a/checkers-app/src/types.d.ts b/checkers-app/src/types.d.ts
index 448ba35d..d02c7420 100644
--- a/checkers-app/src/types.d.ts
+++ b/checkers-app/src/types.d.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,37 @@
+import {
+  Vote,
+  VoteSummary,
+  Checker,
+  updateVoteRequest,
+  VoteSummaryApiResponse,
+  PendingCountApiResponse,
+  AssessedInfo,
+  updateChecker,
+} from "../../functions/src/definitions/api/interfaces";
+
+interface CheckerDetails {
+  checkerId: string | null;
+  checkerName: string;
+  pendingCount: number;
+  isAdmin: boolean;
+  tier: string;
+}
+
 interface Window {
   Telegram: {
     WebApp: any;
   };
 }
+
+export type {
+  Vote,
+  VoteSummary,
+  Checker,
+  updateVoteRequest,
+  VoteSummaryApiResponse,
+  PendingCountApiResponse,
+  AssessedInfo,
+  updateChecker,
+  CheckerDetails,
+  Window,
+};
diff --git a/checkers-app/src/types.ts b/checkers-app/src/types.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 8daf7a5c..00000000
--- a/checkers-app/src/types.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,21 +0,0 @@
-import {
-  Vote,
-  VoteSummary,
-  Checker,
-  updateVoteRequest,
-  VoteSummaryApiResponse,
-  PendingCountApiResponse,
-  AssessedInfo,
-  updateChecker,
-} from "../../functions/src/definitions/api/interfaces";
-
-export type {
-  Vote,
-  VoteSummary,
-  Checker,
-  updateVoteRequest,
-  VoteSummaryApiResponse,
-  PendingCountApiResponse,
-  AssessedInfo,
-  updateChecker,
-};
diff --git a/checkers-app/src/utils/authManagement.ts b/checkers-app/src/utils/authManagement.ts
index ad0c5fa5..6f19264e 100644
--- a/checkers-app/src/utils/authManagement.ts
+++ b/checkers-app/src/utils/authManagement.ts
@@ -2,20 +2,12 @@
 import { getAuth, signInWithCustomToken } from "firebase/auth";
 import app from "../firebase";
 
-export const signInWithToken = async (
-  customToken: string,
-  setCheckerId: (checkerId: string) => void,
-  setCheckerName: (checkerName: string) => void,
-  checkerId: string,
-  checkerName: string
-) => {
+export const signInWithToken = async (customToken: string) => {
   const auth = getAuth(app);
   try {
     // Wait for the signInWithCustomToken to resolve
     await signInWithCustomToken(auth, customToken);
     // If successful, set the checker ID and name
-    setCheckerId(checkerId);
-    setCheckerName(checkerName);
   } catch (error) {
     alert(`Error signing in with custom token ${error}`);
     console.error("Error during Firebase signInWithCustomToken", error);
diff --git a/documentation/dataSchema.md b/documentation/dataSchema.md
index da2dc04e..5ef5c576 100644
--- a/documentation/dataSchema.md
+++ b/documentation/dataSchema.md
@@ -26,13 +26,21 @@ erDiagram
         boolean isIrrelevant "Should message be considered assessed and ready for reply"
         number truthScore
         string primaryCategory "either scam, illicit, irrelevant, spam, legitimate, misleading, untrue, accurate, unsure, or error"
-        string customReply "Not used for now"
+        map customReply
         number instanceCount
         collection instances
         collection voteRequests
         string imageUrl "url of where the image is stored"
     }
 
+    customReply {
+      string type: "text or image"
+      string text
+      string caption
+      reference lastUpdatedBy
+      timestamp lastUpdatedTimestamp
+    }
+
     instance {
         string id PK "Assigned by Firestore"
         string source "whatsapp/telegram"
@@ -93,15 +101,17 @@ erDiagram
         boolean isView "true if user has voted/viewed vote result"
     }
 
-    factChecker {
+    checker {
         string id PK "unique ID, assigned by firestore"
         string type "human or ai"
         string name
         boolean isActive
         boolean isOnboardingComplete
+        boolean isAdmin
         string singpassOpenId "Singpass Open ID"
         string telegramId "telegram ID"
         string whatsappId "whatsapp phone number"
+        string tier "tier of checker, either beginner, intermediate, or expert"
         number level "Not used for now"
         number experience "Not used for now"
         number numVoted
diff --git a/functions/src/definitions/api/api.ts b/functions/src/definitions/api/api.ts
index 271fa695..a0082c60 100644
--- a/functions/src/definitions/api/api.ts
+++ b/functions/src/definitions/api/api.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,6 @@
 import * as admin from "firebase-admin"
-import express, { RequestHandler } from "express"
-import * as functions from "firebase-functions"
+import express from "express"
 import { onRequest } from "firebase-functions/v2/https"
-import { Timestamp } from "firebase-admin/firestore"
 import { config } from "dotenv"
 import getCheckerHandler from "./handlers/getChecker"
 import getCheckerVotesHandler from "./handlers/getCheckerVotes"
@@ -14,7 +12,10 @@ import getCheckerPendingCount from "./handlers/getCheckerPendingCount"
 import postOTPHandler from "./handlers/postOTP"
 import checkOTPHandler from "./handlers/checkOTP"
 import deleteCheckerHandler from "./handlers/deleteChecker"
+import postCustomReplyHandler from "./handlers/postCustomReply"
+import postWhatsappTestMessageHandler from "./handlers/postWhatsappTestMessage"
 import { validateFirebaseIdToken } from "./middleware/validator"
+import getMessageHandler from "./handlers/getMessage"
 
 config()
 
@@ -70,6 +71,12 @@ checkersRouter.get(
   getCheckerVotesHandler
 )
 
+checkersRouter.post(
+  "/checkers/:checkerId/whatsappTestMessage",
+  validateFirebaseIdToken,
+  postWhatsappTestMessageHandler
+)
+
 messagesRouter.get(
   "/messages/:messageId/voteRequests/:voteRequestId",
   validateFirebaseIdToken,
@@ -82,6 +89,18 @@ messagesRouter.patch(
   patchVoteRequestHandler
 )
 
+messagesRouter.post(
+  "/messages/:messageId/customReply",
+  validateFirebaseIdToken,
+  postCustomReplyHandler
+)
+
+messagesRouter.get(
+  "/messages/:messageId",
+  validateFirebaseIdToken,
+  getMessageHandler
+)
+
 app.use("/api", [checkersRouter, messagesRouter])
 
 const apiHandler = onRequest(
diff --git a/functions/src/definitions/api/authentication.ts b/functions/src/definitions/api/authentication.ts
index 5ed9dbe1..e28cafa5 100644
--- a/functions/src/definitions/api/authentication.ts
+++ b/functions/src/definitions/api/authentication.ts
@@ -93,7 +93,13 @@ app.post("/", async (req, res) => {
   if (!checkerSnap.empty) {
     try {
       const userDoc = checkerSnap.docs[0]
-      const customToken = await admin.auth().createCustomToken(userDoc.id)
+      const claims = {
+        isAdmin: userDoc.data()?.isAdmin,
+        tier: userDoc.data()?.tier,
+      }
+      const customToken = await admin
+        .auth()
+        .createCustomToken(userDoc.id, claims)
       const checkerName = userDoc.data()?.name
       return res.status(200).json({
         customToken: customToken,
@@ -102,6 +108,8 @@ app.post("/", async (req, res) => {
         isNewUser: false,
         isOnboardingComplete: userDoc.data()?.isOnboardingComplete,
         isActive: userDoc.data()?.isActive,
+        isAdmin: userDoc.data()?.isAdmin,
+        tier: userDoc.data()?.tier,
       })
     } catch (error) {
       functions.logger.error("Error creating custom token:", error)
@@ -110,17 +118,20 @@ app.post("/", async (req, res) => {
   } else {
     //from telegram but not yet a user in database
     functions.logger.info("Creating new user")
+
     const checkerObject: Checker = {
       name: "",
       type: "human",
       isActive: false,
       isOnboardingComplete: false,
       singpassOpenId: null,
+      isAdmin: false,
       whatsappId: null,
       telegramId: parseInt(userId),
       voteWeight: 1,
       level: 0,
       experience: 0,
+      tier: "beginner",
       numVoted: 0,
       numCorrectVotes: 0,
       numVerifiedLinks: 0,
@@ -131,7 +142,12 @@ app.post("/", async (req, res) => {
 
     try {
       const newCheckerRef = await db.collection("checkers").add(checkerObject)
-      const customToken = await admin.auth().createCustomToken(newCheckerRef.id)
+      const customToken = await admin
+        .auth()
+        .createCustomToken(newCheckerRef.id, {
+          isAdmin: false,
+          tier: "beginner",
+        })
       return res.status(200).json({
         customToken: customToken,
         checkerId: newCheckerRef.id,
@@ -139,6 +155,8 @@ app.post("/", async (req, res) => {
         isNewUser: true,
         isOnboardingComplete: false,
         isActive: false,
+        isAdmin: false,
+        tier: "beginner",
       })
     } catch (error) {
       functions.logger.error("Error creating new user:", error)
diff --git a/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/checkOTP.ts b/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/checkOTP.ts
index b282fa94..aae36952 100644
--- a/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/checkOTP.ts
+++ b/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/checkOTP.ts
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ const checkOTPHandler = async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
 
     if (checkerQuery.docs.length === 1) {
       const telegramId = checkerSnap.data()?.telegramId
+      const existingChecker = checkerQuery.docs[0].data()
       const existingCheckerRef = checkerQuery.docs[0].ref
       const existingCheckerId = existingCheckerRef.id
       if (!telegramId) {
@@ -79,9 +80,13 @@ const checkOTPHandler = async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
           .status(500)
           .send("Error updating existing whatsapp checker with telegramId")
       }
+      const claims = {
+        isAdmin: existingChecker?.isAdmin,
+        tier: existingChecker?.tier,
+      }
       const customToken = await admin
         .auth()
-        .createCustomToken(existingCheckerId)
+        .createCustomToken(existingCheckerId, claims)
       await otpRef.delete()
       return res.status(202).send({
         existing: true,
diff --git a/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/deleteChecker.ts b/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/deleteChecker.ts
index 36dede77..3ebcf39b 100644
--- a/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/deleteChecker.ts
+++ b/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/deleteChecker.ts
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ const deleteCheckerHandler = async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
     }
 
     await checkerRef.delete()
+    await admin.auth().deleteUser(checkerId)
 
     res.status(200).send()
   } catch (error) {
diff --git a/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/getChecker.ts b/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/getChecker.ts
index d88c86b4..a05a8072 100644
--- a/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/getChecker.ts
+++ b/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/getChecker.ts
@@ -134,6 +134,8 @@ const getCheckerHandler = async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
       name: checkerData.name,
       type: checkerData.type,
       isActive: checkerData.isActive,
+      tier: checkerData.tier,
+      isAdmin: checkerData.isAdmin,
       isOnboardingComplete: checkerData.isOnboardingComplete,
       pendingVoteCount: pendingVoteCount,
       last30days: {
diff --git a/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/getMessage.ts b/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/getMessage.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d09d6a40
--- /dev/null
+++ b/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/getMessage.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+import { Request, Response } from "express"
+import { MessageSummary } from "../interfaces"
+import * as admin from "firebase-admin"
+import { logger } from "firebase-functions/v2"
+
+if (!admin.apps.length) {
+  admin.initializeApp()
+}
+
+const db = admin.firestore()
+
+const getMessageHandler = async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
+  //check request body
+  //get messageId
+  const messageId = req.params.messageId
+  if (!messageId) {
+    res.status(400).send("MessageId is required")
+    return
+  }
+  //check if message exists in firestore
+  const messageRef = db.collection("messages").doc(messageId)
+  const messageSnap = await messageRef.get()
+  if (!messageSnap.exists) {
+    return res.status(404).send("Message not found")
+  }
+  //check if factChecker exists in firestore
+
+  //create return object
+  const returnObj: MessageSummary = {
+    primaryCategory: messageSnap.get("primaryCategory"),
+    machineCategory: messageSnap.get("machineCategory"),
+    truthScore: messageSnap.get("truthScore"),
+    instanceCount: messageSnap.get("instanceCount"),
+    text: messageSnap.get("text"),
+    caption: messageSnap.get("caption"),
+    customReply: messageSnap.get("customReply"),
+  }
+  return res.status(200).send(returnObj)
+}
+
+export default getMessageHandler
diff --git a/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/patchVoteRequest.ts b/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/patchVoteRequest.ts
index 3cd638cc..4e2d89ec 100644
--- a/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/patchVoteRequest.ts
+++ b/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/patchVoteRequest.ts
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ const patchVoteRequestHandler = async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
     return res.status(400).send("Message Id or vote request Id missing.")
   }
   //confirm category in body
-  const { category, truthScore } = req.body as updateVoteRequest
+  const { category, truthScore, reasoning } = req.body as updateVoteRequest
   if (!category) {
     return res.status(400).send("A category is required in the body")
   }
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ const patchVoteRequestHandler = async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
     category: category,
     truthScore: truthScore ?? null,
     votedTimestamp: Timestamp.fromDate(new Date()),
+    reasoning: reasoning ?? null,
   })
   return res.status(200).send({
     success: true,
diff --git a/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/postChecker.ts b/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/postChecker.ts
index d62de317..9b648a60 100644
--- a/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/postChecker.ts
+++ b/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/postChecker.ts
@@ -49,12 +49,14 @@ const postCheckerHandler = async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
     type,
     isActive: isActive || false,
     isOnboardingComplete: isOnboardingComplete || false,
+    isAdmin: false,
     singpassOpenId: singpassOpenId || null,
     telegramId,
     whatsappId: whatsappId || null,
     voteWeight: 1,
     level: level || 0,
     experience: experience || 0,
+    tier: "beginner",
     numVoted: numVoted || 0,
     numCorrectVotes: numCorrectVotes || 0,
     numVerifiedLinks: numVerifiedLinks || 0,
diff --git a/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/postCustomReply.ts b/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/postCustomReply.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..42ae140e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/postCustomReply.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,102 @@
+import { Request, Response } from "express"
+import { upsertCustomReply } from "../interfaces"
+import {
+  Timestamp,
+  DocumentReference,
+  DocumentSnapshot,
+} from "firebase-admin/firestore"
+import { CustomReply } from "../../../types"
+import * as admin from "firebase-admin"
+import * as functions from "firebase-functions"
+
+if (!admin.apps.length) {
+  admin.initializeApp()
+}
+
+const db = admin.firestore()
+
+const postCustomReplyHandler = async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
+  //get messageId
+  const messageId = req.params.messageId
+  if (!messageId) {
+    res.status(400).send("MessageId is required")
+    return
+  }
+  //confirm customReply in body
+  const { customReply } = req.body as upsertCustomReply
+  if (!customReply) {
+    return res.status(400).send("customReply is required in body")
+  }
+  //confirm factCheckerId in body
+  const { factCheckerId, factCheckerName } = req.body as upsertCustomReply
+  if (!factCheckerId && !factCheckerName) {
+    return res
+      .status(400)
+      .send("One of factCheckerId or factCheckerName is required in body")
+  }
+  if (factCheckerId && factCheckerName) {
+    return res
+      .status(400)
+      .send("Only one of factCheckerId or factCheckerName should be passed")
+  }
+  //check if message exists in firestore
+  const messageRef = db.collection("messages").doc(messageId)
+  const messageSnap = await messageRef.get()
+  if (!messageSnap.exists) {
+    return res.status(404).send("Message not found")
+  }
+  //check if factChecker exists in firestore
+  let factCheckerRef: DocumentReference
+  let factCheckerSnap: DocumentSnapshot
+  if (factCheckerId) {
+    factCheckerRef = db.collection("checkers").doc(factCheckerId)
+    factCheckerSnap = await factCheckerRef.get()
+    if (!factCheckerSnap.exists) {
+      return res.status(404).send("factChecker not found")
+    }
+  } else {
+    const factCheckerQuerySnap = await db
+      .collection("checkers")
+      .where("type", "==", "ai")
+      .where("name", "==", factCheckerName)
+      .get()
+    if (factCheckerQuerySnap.empty) {
+      return res
+        .status(404)
+        .send(
+          "ai factChecker of this name not found. if you are intending to create a voteRequest for a human factChecker, please pass the factCheckerId instead"
+        )
+    }
+    if (factCheckerQuerySnap.size > 1) {
+      functions.logger.warn(
+        `Multiple ai factCheckers with name ${factCheckerName} found`
+      )
+      return res.status(400).send("Multiple ai factCheckers found")
+    }
+    factCheckerRef = factCheckerQuerySnap.docs[0].ref
+    factCheckerSnap = factCheckerQuerySnap.docs[0]
+  }
+  if (factCheckerSnap.get("tier") !== "expert") {
+    return res
+      .status(400)
+      .send("factChecker must be at expert tier to post custom replies")
+  }
+  const customReplyObject: CustomReply = {
+    type: "text",
+    text: customReply,
+    caption: null,
+    lastUpdatedBy: factCheckerRef,
+    lastUpdatedTimestamp: Timestamp.now(),
+  }
+  messageRef.update({
+    customReply: customReplyObject,
+  })
+
+  //create return object
+  const returnObj = {
+    success: true,
+  }
+  return res.status(200).send(returnObj)
+}
+
+export default postCustomReplyHandler
diff --git a/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/postVoteRequest.ts b/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/postVoteRequest.ts
index 69f68ab2..9949d1e2 100644
--- a/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/postVoteRequest.ts
+++ b/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/postVoteRequest.ts
@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@ const postVoteRequestHandler = async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
     sentMessageId: null,
     category: null,
     truthScore: null,
+    reasoning: null,
     createdTimestamp: Timestamp.fromDate(new Date()),
     acceptedTimestamp: Timestamp.fromDate(new Date()),
     votedTimestamp: null,
diff --git a/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/postWhatsappTestMessage.ts b/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/postWhatsappTestMessage.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fb3332d2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/functions/src/definitions/api/handlers/postWhatsappTestMessage.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+import { Request, Response } from "express"
+import * as admin from "firebase-admin"
+import { logger } from "firebase-functions/v2"
+import { sendWhatsappTextMessage } from "../../common/sendWhatsappMessage"
+import { postWhatsappTestMessage } from "../interfaces"
+
+if (!admin.apps.length) {
+  admin.initializeApp()
+}
+
+const db = admin.firestore()
+
+const postWhatsappTestMessageHandler = async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
+  //allows admin to post messages to themselves on whatsapp for testing
+  try {
+    const checkerId = req.params.checkerId
+    if (!checkerId) {
+      return res.status(400).send("Checker ID missing.")
+    }
+    const { message } = req.body as postWhatsappTestMessage
+    if (!message) {
+      return res.status(400).send("A message is required")
+    }
+    const checkerDocRef = db.collection("checkers").doc(checkerId)
+    const checkerDocSnap = await checkerDocRef.get()
+    if (!checkerDocSnap.exists) {
+      return res.status(404).send(`Checker with id ${checkerId} not found`)
+    }
+    if (!checkerDocSnap.get("isAdmin")) {
+      return res.status(403).send("Checker must be admin")
+    }
+    const whatsappId = checkerDocSnap.get("whatsappId")
+    if (!whatsappId) {
+      return res.status(400).send("Checker has no whatsappId")
+    }
+    await sendWhatsappTextMessage("factChecker", whatsappId, message)
+    return res.status(200).send("Message sent successfully")
+  } catch (error) {
+    logger.error(error)
+    return res.status(500).send("Internal server error")
+  }
+}
+
+export default postWhatsappTestMessageHandler
diff --git a/functions/src/definitions/api/interfaces.ts b/functions/src/definitions/api/interfaces.ts
index 6f52503d..f2221ee0 100644
--- a/functions/src/definitions/api/interfaces.ts
+++ b/functions/src/definitions/api/interfaces.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,24 @@
+import { CustomReply } from "../../types"
+
 interface createVoteRequest {
   factCheckerId?: string
   factCheckerName?: string
 }
 
+interface upsertCustomReply {
+  factCheckerId?: string
+  factCheckerName?: string
+  customReply: string
+}
+
+interface postWhatsappTestMessage {
+  message: string
+}
+
 interface updateVoteRequest {
   category: string
   truthScore?: number //between 1 and 5
+  reasoning?: string
 }
 
 interface createChecker {
@@ -47,6 +60,8 @@ interface Checker {
   type: "human" | "ai"
   isActive: boolean | null
   isOnboardingComplete: boolean | null
+  tier: "beginner" | "intermediate" | "expert"
+  isAdmin: boolean
   pendingVoteCount: number
   last30days: last30DaysStats
   achievements: Achievements | null
@@ -68,6 +83,16 @@ interface VoteSummary {
   firestorePath: string
 }
 
+interface MessageSummary {
+  primaryCategory: string | null
+  machineCategory: string | null
+  truthScore: number | null
+  instanceCount: number
+  text: string | null //only for type text
+  caption: string | null //only for type image
+  customReply: CustomReply | null
+}
+
 interface VoteSummaryApiResponse {
   votes: VoteSummary[]
   lastPath: string | null
@@ -134,4 +159,7 @@ export type {
   PendingCountApiResponse,
   AssessedInfo,
   updateChecker,
+  upsertCustomReply,
+  postWhatsappTestMessage,
+  MessageSummary,
 }
diff --git a/functions/src/definitions/api/middleware/validator.ts b/functions/src/definitions/api/middleware/validator.ts
index 95602064..82b98e3b 100644
--- a/functions/src/definitions/api/middleware/validator.ts
+++ b/functions/src/definitions/api/middleware/validator.ts
@@ -40,7 +40,10 @@ async function validateFirebaseIdToken(
 
   try {
     const decodedIdToken = await admin.auth().verifyIdToken(idToken)
+    const isAdmin = decodedIdToken.isAdmin
+    const tier = decodedIdToken.tier
     const checkerID = decodedIdToken.uid
+    console.log("checkerID: ", checkerID)
     if (!checkerID) {
       functions.logger.warn("Error while verifying Firebase ID token")
       return res.status(403).send("Unauthorized")
@@ -74,6 +77,11 @@ async function validateFirebaseIdToken(
       functions.logger.warn("Unauthorized, checker ID does not match")
       return res.status(403).send("Unauthorized, checker ID does not match")
     }
+    res.locals.checker = {
+      id: checkerID,
+      isAdmin: isAdmin,
+      tier: tier,
+    }
     next()
   } catch (error) {
     functions.logger.error("Error while verifying Firebase ID token:", error)
diff --git a/functions/src/definitions/common/calculateSimilarity.ts b/functions/src/definitions/common/calculateSimilarity.ts
index 3e6ba0f6..921d88b7 100644
--- a/functions/src/definitions/common/calculateSimilarity.ts
+++ b/functions/src/definitions/common/calculateSimilarity.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import { vectorSearch, CollectionTypes } from "./typesense/collectionOperations"
 import * as functions from "firebase-functions"
 import { getEmbedding } from "./machineLearningServer/operations"
 import { stripUrl, stripPhone } from "./utils"
-import { Message } from "../../types"
+import { WhatsappMessageObject } from "../../types"
 
 if (!admin.apps.length) {
   admin.initializeApp()
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ async function calculateSimilarity(
   //embed message to compare
   let similarity: {
     ref?: admin.firestore.DocumentReference<admin.firestore.DocumentData>
-    message?: Message
+    message?: WhatsappMessageObject
     captionHash?: string | null
     score?: number
     parent?: admin.firestore.DocumentReference<admin.firestore.DocumentData> | null
diff --git a/functions/src/definitions/common/responseUtils.ts b/functions/src/definitions/common/responseUtils.ts
index 381d42a8..669451d2 100644
--- a/functions/src/definitions/common/responseUtils.ts
+++ b/functions/src/definitions/common/responseUtils.ts
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import { getThresholds, sleep } from "./utils"
 import { getSignedUrl } from "./mediaUtils"
 import { sendTextMessage } from "./sendMessage"
 import { getVoteCounts } from "./counters"
+import { CustomReply } from "../../types"
 
 const db = admin.firestore()
 
@@ -622,6 +623,7 @@ async function respondToInstance(
   const isAssessed = parentMessageSnap.get("isAssessed")
   const isMachineCategorised = parentMessageSnap.get("isMachineCategorised")
   const instanceCount = parentMessageSnap.get("instanceCount")
+  const customReply: CustomReply = parentMessageSnap.get("customReply")
   const { validResponsesCount } = await getVoteCounts(parentMessageRef)
   const isImage = data?.type === "image"
   const isMatched = data?.isMatched ?? false
@@ -650,6 +652,14 @@ async function respondToInstance(
       .replace("{{image_caveat}}", isImage ? responses.IMAGE_CAVEAT : "")
   }
 
+  if (customReply) {
+    if (customReply.type === "text" && customReply.text) {
+      await sendTextMessage("user", from, customReply.text, data.id)
+    } else if (customReply.type === "image") {
+      //TODO: implement later
+    }
+  }
+
   if (!isAssessed && !forceReply) {
     await sendTextMessage(
       "user",
diff --git a/functions/src/definitions/eventHandlers/checkerHandlerWhatsapp.ts b/functions/src/definitions/eventHandlers/checkerHandlerWhatsapp.ts
index 0c7e7794..479cc797 100644
--- a/functions/src/definitions/eventHandlers/checkerHandlerWhatsapp.ts
+++ b/functions/src/definitions/eventHandlers/checkerHandlerWhatsapp.ts
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ import {
 import { getSignedUrl } from "../common/mediaUtils"
 import { Timestamp } from "firebase-admin/firestore"
 import { resetL2Status } from "../common/voteUtils"
-import { Message, Checker } from "../../types"
+import { WhatsappMessageObject, Checker } from "../../types"
 
 if (!admin.apps.length) {
   admin.initializeApp()
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ if (!admin.apps.length) {
 
 const db = admin.firestore()
 
-const checkerHandlerWhatsapp = async function (message: Message) {
+const checkerHandlerWhatsapp = async function (message: WhatsappMessageObject) {
   const from = message.from // extract the phone number from the webhook payload
   const type = message.type
   let responses
@@ -117,12 +117,14 @@ async function onSignUp(from: string, platform = "whatsapp") {
     type: "human",
     isActive: true,
     isOnboardingComplete: false,
+    isAdmin: false,
     singpassOpenId: null,
     telegramId: null,
     whatsappId: from,
     voteWeight: 1,
     level: 1,
     experience: 0,
+    tier: "beginner",
     numVoted: 0,
     numCorrectVotes: 0,
     numVerifiedLinks: 0,
diff --git a/functions/src/definitions/eventHandlers/onInstanceCreate.ts b/functions/src/definitions/eventHandlers/onInstanceCreate.ts
index 0089f1b7..d74b119b 100644
--- a/functions/src/definitions/eventHandlers/onInstanceCreate.ts
+++ b/functions/src/definitions/eventHandlers/onInstanceCreate.ts
@@ -194,6 +194,7 @@ async function sendTemplateMessageAndCreateVoteRequest(
       sentMessageId: null,
       category: null,
       truthScore: null,
+      reasoning: null,
       createdTimestamp: Timestamp.fromDate(new Date()),
       acceptedTimestamp: null,
       votedTimestamp: null,
diff --git a/functions/src/definitions/eventHandlers/userHandlers.ts b/functions/src/definitions/eventHandlers/userHandlers.ts
index e4f10bf0..cc67e49c 100644
--- a/functions/src/definitions/eventHandlers/userHandlers.ts
+++ b/functions/src/definitions/eventHandlers/userHandlers.ts
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ import { defineString } from "firebase-functions/params"
 import { classifyText } from "../common/classifier"
 import { FieldValue } from "@google-cloud/firestore"
 import Hashids from "hashids"
-import { Message } from "../../types"
+import { WhatsappMessageObject } from "../../types"
 import { AppEnv } from "../../appEnv"
 
 const runtimeEnvironment = defineString(AppEnv.ENVIRONMENT)
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ const hashids = new Hashids(salt)
 
 const db = admin.firestore()
 
-const userHandlerWhatsapp = async function (message: Message) {
+const userHandlerWhatsapp = async function (message: WhatsappMessageObject) {
   if (!message?.id) {
     functions.logger.error("No message id")
     return
@@ -653,7 +653,10 @@ async function newUserHandler(from: string) {
   await sendLanguageSelection(from, true)
 }
 
-async function onButtonReply(messageObj: Message, platform = "whatsapp") {
+async function onButtonReply(
+  messageObj: WhatsappMessageObject,
+  platform = "whatsapp"
+) {
   const buttonId = messageObj.interactive.button_reply.id
   const from = messageObj.from
   const responses = await getResponsesObj("user", from)
@@ -706,7 +709,10 @@ async function onButtonReply(messageObj: Message, platform = "whatsapp") {
   return Promise.resolve(step)
 }
 
-async function onTextListReceipt(messageObj: Message, platform = "whatsapp") {
+async function onTextListReceipt(
+  messageObj: WhatsappMessageObject,
+  platform = "whatsapp"
+) {
   const listId = messageObj.interactive.list_reply.id
   const from = messageObj.from
   const responses = await getResponsesObj("user", from)
diff --git a/functions/src/definitions/webhookHandlers/specialCommands.ts b/functions/src/definitions/webhookHandlers/specialCommands.ts
index fe550aab..02cfef9a 100644
--- a/functions/src/definitions/webhookHandlers/specialCommands.ts
+++ b/functions/src/definitions/webhookHandlers/specialCommands.ts
@@ -88,12 +88,14 @@ const mockDb = async function () {
     type: "human",
     isActive: true,
     isOnboardingComplete: true,
+    isAdmin: true,
     singpassOpenId: null,
     telegramId: parseInt(checker1TelegramId.value()),
     whatsappId: checker1PhoneNumber.value(),
     voteWeight: 1,
     level: 1,
     experience: 0,
+    tier: "expert",
     numVoted: 0,
     numCorrectVotes: 0,
     numVerifiedLinks: 0,
diff --git a/functions/src/types.ts b/functions/src/types.ts
index 492daeb6..312624fa 100644
--- a/functions/src/types.ts
+++ b/functions/src/types.ts
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ export type WhatsappButton = {
   }
 }
 
-export type Message = {
+export type WhatsappMessageObject = {
   from: string
   type: string
   button: {
@@ -43,11 +43,13 @@ export type Checker = {
   type: "human" | "ai"
   isActive: boolean | null
   isOnboardingComplete: boolean | null
+  isAdmin: boolean
   singpassOpenId: string | null
   telegramId: number | null
   whatsappId?: string | null
   level: number
   experience: number
+  tier: "beginner" | "intermediate" | "expert"
   numVoted: number
   voteWeight: number
   numCorrectVotes: number
@@ -77,11 +79,20 @@ export type VoteRequest = {
     | "unsure"
     | "error"
     | null
+  reasoning: string | null
   createdTimestamp: Timestamp | null
   acceptedTimestamp: Timestamp | null
   votedTimestamp: Timestamp | null
 }
 
+export type CustomReply = {
+  type: "text" | "image"
+  text: string | null
+  caption: string | null
+  lastUpdatedBy: DocumentReference
+  lastUpdatedTimestamp: Timestamp
+}
+
 export type TeleMessage = {
   id: string
   caption: string | null