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What you’ll learn: How to configure automated messaging during AI calls using your own messaging providers to send SMS, WhatsApp messages, and emails with static content.

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Overview

The messaging feature allows your AI agent to automatically send messages during calls using your own messaging service providers. This is useful for sending confirmations, appointment details, links, or other important information while the conversation is happening.
Important: These messages are static/fixed content only. You must provide your own SMS, WhatsApp, and email service providers through cURL integration.

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Configuration Setup

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Messaging Section Location

In every project, you’ll find the messaging configuration in the Messaging Section with three input fields:
  1. SMS Provider cURL
  2. WhatsApp Provider cURL
  3. Email Provider cURL

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Provider Requirements

Bring Your Own Providers

You must provide:
  • Your own SMS service provider (Twilio, AWS SNS, etc.)
  • Your own WhatsApp Business API provider
  • Your own email service provider (SendGrid, Mailgun, etc.)
Vodex does not provide these messaging services - only the integration capability.

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SMS Configuration

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SMS Provider Setup

Configure your SMS provider by entering the complete cURL command in the SMS field. 
curl -X POST "https://api.twilio.com/2010-04-01/Accounts/YOUR_ACCOUNT_SID/Messages.json" \
-u "YOUR_ACCOUNT_SID:YOUR_AUTH_TOKEN" \
-d "From=+1234567890" \
-d "To={PhoneNum}" \
-d "Body=Your appointment is confirmed for tomorrow at 10 AM. Please arrive 15 minutes early."

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SMS Field Mapping

Phone Number Field: Use {PhoneNum} as the placeholder for the recipient’s phone number in your cURL command.
FieldPlaceholderDescription
Recipient Phone{PhoneNum}Automatically replaced with the caller’s phone number
Message ContentStatic textFixed message content (cannot be dynamic)

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WhatsApp Configuration

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WhatsApp Provider Setup

Configure your WhatsApp Business API provider with the complete cURL command. 
curl -X POST "https://graph.facebook.com/v17.0/YOUR_PHONE_NUMBER_ID/messages" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "to": "{PhoneNum}",
  "type": "text",
  "text": {
    "body": "Hello! Your appointment is confirmed for tomorrow at 10 AM. We look forward to seeing you."
  }
}'

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WhatsApp Field Mapping

Phone Number Field: Use {PhoneNum} as the placeholder for the recipient’s WhatsApp number in your cURL command.
FieldPlaceholderDescription
Recipient Phone{PhoneNum}Automatically replaced with the caller’s phone number
Message ContentStatic textFixed message content (cannot be dynamic)

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Email Configuration

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Email Provider Setup

Configure your email service provider with the complete cURL command.
Email Field Requirement: You must upload the email custom field in your audience list or include it in the API payload when triggering calls via API.
curl -X POST "https://api.sendgrid.com/v3/mail/send" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
  "personalizations": [{
    "to": [{"email": "{email}"}],
    "subject": "Appointment Confirmation"
  }],
  "from": {"email": "noreply@yourcompany.com"},
  "content": [{
    "type": "text/plain",
    "value": "Your appointment is confirmed for tomorrow at 10 AM. Please arrive 15 minutes early."
  }]
}'

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Email Field Mapping

Email Field: Use {email} as the placeholder for the recipient’s email address in your cURL command.
FieldPlaceholderDescription
Recipient Email{email}Must be provided in audience data or API payload
Email ContentStatic textFixed email content (cannot be dynamic)

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Email Data Requirements

1

Audience Upload Method

Include Email in Audience List
  • Add an email column to your audience CSV
  • Ensure all contacts have valid email addresses
  • Upload the audience with email data included
2

API Trigger Method

Include Email in API Payload
  • Add email field to your API request payload
  • Ensure the email address is valid and properly formatted
  • Include it in the custom fields section

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Important Limitations and Warnings

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Email Collection Limitations

Email Collection Not Recommended: Our AI agents can capture emails during calls, but they cannot send emails to those specific captured emails. We strongly advise against collecting emails during calls due to:
  • Accent recognition issues - Different pronunciations cause errors
  • Alphabet identification problems - Spelling out emails is error-prone
  • Customer frustration - Repeated spelling attempts irritate callers
  • Time consumption - Email collection significantly extends call duration

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Static Message Limitation

Static Messages Only: All messages (SMS, WhatsApp, Email) are completely static and cannot include dynamic content from the conversation. The message content is fixed at configuration time.

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Provider Responsibility

Your Providers Required: Vodex does not provide SMS, WhatsApp, or email services. You must:
  • Set up your own messaging service accounts
  • Handle provider billing and limits
  • Ensure compliance with provider terms of service
  • Manage delivery rates and failures

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Best Practices

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Message Content Guidelines

SMS Message Guidelines:
  • Keep messages under 160 characters when possible
  • Include clear call-to-action or next steps
  • Add your company name for identification
  • Include opt-out instructions if required by regulations
Example: “ABC Company: Your appointment is confirmed for Jan 15 at 2 PM. Reply STOP to opt out.”
WhatsApp Message Guidelines:
  • Use conversational, friendly tone
  • Include relevant emojis if appropriate
  • Keep messages concise but informative
  • Follow WhatsApp Business Policy guidelines
Example: “Hi! 👋 Your appointment with ABC Company is confirmed for Jan 15 at 2 PM. See you soon!”
Email Message Guidelines:
  • Use clear, descriptive subject lines
  • Include complete information in the body
  • Add your company contact information
  • Follow email marketing compliance rules
Example Subject: “Appointment Confirmation - ABC Company”

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Technical Implementation Tips

Testing Recommendation: Test your cURL commands independently before adding them to Vodex to ensure they work correctly with your providers.
Error Handling: Configure your messaging providers with appropriate error handling and retry logic for failed deliveries.
Rate Limits: Be aware of your messaging provider’s rate limits and plan your call volume accordingly.

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Troubleshooting

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Common Issues

IssueCauseSolution
Messages not sendingIncorrect cURL syntaxTest cURL command independently
Wrong phone number formatMissing placeholderUse exact placeholder: {PhoneNum}
Email not foundMissing email in audience/APIEnsure email field is included in data
Provider authentication errorInvalid API keys/tokensVerify provider credentials

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Testing Your Setup

1

Test cURL Commands

Verify Provider Integration
  • Test each cURL command in terminal/command prompt
  • Replace placeholders with actual test data
  • Confirm messages are delivered successfully
2

Test with Vodex

Integration Testing
  • Configure cURL commands in Vodex messaging section
  • Run test calls with known phone numbers/emails
  • Verify messages are triggered during calls
3

Monitor Delivery

Check Provider Dashboards
  • Monitor delivery rates in provider dashboards
  • Check for failed deliveries or errors
  • Adjust configuration if needed

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Next Steps

After configuring messaging:
  1. Set up your messaging providers and obtain API credentials
  2. Test cURL commands independently to ensure they work
  3. Configure the messaging section in your Vodex project
  4. Test with sample calls to verify integration
  5. Monitor delivery rates and adjust as needed
Ready to send messages during calls? Proper messaging configuration enables automated follow-up and confirmation delivery, enhancing your customer experience and reducing manual work.
Need help with call settings? Check out our Call Settings Overview and Advanced Settings for comprehensive call configuration guidance.
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