> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developers.nlpearl.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# SMS

> Connect your Pearl Text agent to SMS through Twilio to send and receive text messages with your customers.

<div className="block dark:hidden">
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      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/nlpearl/YPwGw7hP4aonkrpJ/images/dark_mode/twilio-cover.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=YPwGw7hP4aonkrpJ&q=85&s=9ad432383c831a6df405b38c404c78d9" alt="SMS cover" className="rounded-[14px]" width="1048" height="720" data-path="images/dark_mode/twilio-cover.svg" />
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      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/nlpearl/YPwGw7hP4aonkrpJ/images/dark_mode/twilio-cover.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=YPwGw7hP4aonkrpJ&q=85&s=9ad432383c831a6df405b38c404c78d9" alt="SMS cover" className="rounded-[14px]" width="1048" height="720" data-path="images/dark_mode/twilio-cover.svg" />
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***

## SMS Channel

Connect your Pearl Text agent to **SMS** to handle conversations over standard text messaging. SMS runs through **Twilio**, so the connection works exactly like the [Twilio Integration](/pages/twilio_integration) used for voice phone numbers - you link your Twilio account once, then use your numbers across NLPearl.

<Info>
  SMS works for both [inbound](/pages/text/inbound) conversations, where the customer messages you first, and [outbound](/pages/text/outbound) campaigns, where Pearl reaches out proactively.
</Info>

***

### Step 1 - Connect your Twilio account

Connecting SMS uses the same flow as importing voice phone numbers. Follow the [Twilio Integration](/pages/twilio_integration) guide to link your Twilio account with NLPearl, then come back here to buy a number dedicated to SMS.

<Card title="Twilio Integration" icon="object-intersect" iconType="light" href="/pages/twilio_integration">
  Link your Twilio account with NLPearl to use your Twilio numbers on the platform.
</Card>

***

### Step 2 - Buy a phone number for SMS

The only difference with SMS is that you buy a number specifically enabled for messaging. You do this directly in the [Twilio Console](https://www.twilio.com/console), in three steps.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Numbers & senders">
    In the Twilio Console, open the **Products & Services** menu and select **Numbers & senders**.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/nlpearl/Utixv1_73hqGLnyk/images/dark_mode/sms-channel-numbers-menu.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=Utixv1_73hqGLnyk&q=85&s=ae08e5ade30cd66c23d238677bf3350f" alt="Open Numbers & senders in the Twilio Console" className="rounded-[14px] w-full" width="5120" height="2880" data-path="images/dark_mode/sms-channel-numbers-menu.png" />
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  </Step>

  <Step title="Set up a new phone number">
    Open the **Phone Numbers** tab and click **Set up a new phone number** on the top right to start the purchase flow.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/nlpearl/Utixv1_73hqGLnyk/images/dark_mode/sms-channel-setup-number.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=Utixv1_73hqGLnyk&q=85&s=b60eed4e184744ca386e80446cff4f29" alt="Set up a new phone number from the Phone Numbers tab" className="rounded-[14px] w-full" width="5120" height="2880" data-path="images/dark_mode/sms-channel-setup-number.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select an SMS-enabled number">
    Choose the **destination country** where your customers are, then under **capabilities** make sure **SMS** is checked. Search for a number, pick one, and complete the purchase.

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      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/nlpearl/Utixv1_73hqGLnyk/images/dark_mode/sms-channel-select-sms.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=Utixv1_73hqGLnyk&q=85&s=ac60975945bcb6577d6da0dfb0740bac" alt="Select a phone number with SMS capability enabled" className="rounded-[14px] w-full" width="5120" height="2880" data-path="images/dark_mode/sms-channel-select-sms.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Once purchased, the SMS number appears in Twilio. Import it into NLPearl from the [Twilio Integration](/pages/twilio_integration) screen, just like any other Twilio number.
</Note>

***

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Inbound" icon="inbox-in" iconType="light" href="/pages/text/inbound">
    Deploy your agent on inbound channels to answer incoming SMS instantly.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Outbound" icon="paper-plane" iconType="light" href="/pages/text/outbound">
    Launch outbound SMS campaigns to reach customers proactively.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>