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

# SMS Messaging

> Send and receive text messages with your AI agent

## Overview

Your Magpipe phone numbers can send and receive SMS text messages. Your AI agent handles incoming texts automatically.

<Frame caption="SMS conversations appear in your inbox with full AI transcripts">
  <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/snapsonic/images/sms-conversation.png" alt="SMS conversation view" />
</Frame>

<Frame caption="Composing a new SMS message from the inbox">
  <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/snapsonic/images/send-sms-demo.gif" alt="Composing a new SMS" />
</Frame>

## Receiving SMS

When someone texts your Magpipe number:

1. **Message received** - Text arrives at your number
2. **Agent responds** - AI generates a contextual response
3. **Reply sent** - Response is sent to the sender
4. **Inbox updated** - Conversation appears in your Inbox

If a dedicated text agent is assigned to the number, it handles SMS. Otherwise, the voice agent responds. This allows you to use a specialized text agent for SMS while keeping a different voice agent for calls on the same number.

## Sending SMS

### From the Inbox

1. Open an existing conversation
2. Type your message in the reply box
3. Tap **Send**

### New Conversation

1. Go to **Inbox**
2. Tap the compose button
3. Enter the recipient's phone number
4. Type your message
5. Tap **Send**

## AI vs Manual Messages

### AI Messages

* Generated automatically when someone texts your number
* Based on agent's system prompt and knowledge
* Marked with "AI" indicator in the conversation

### Manual Messages

* You type and send yourself
* AI pauses for that conversation
* Resume AI by letting it respond to the next inbound message

## Conversation Context

The AI maintains context across messages:

```
Visitor: What are your hours?
Agent: We're open Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Visitor: Are you open Saturday?
Agent: We're closed on weekends, but you can leave a message and we'll respond Monday morning.

Visitor: Ok thanks
Agent: You're welcome! Have a great day.
```

The agent remembers the conversation flow and responds appropriately.

## SMS Schedule & After-Hours

You can set a separate schedule for SMS responses, independent of your call schedule.

### Configuring SMS Schedule

1. Open the agent settings
2. Go to **Schedule** tab
3. Configure the **Texts Schedule** section with hours for each day
4. Optionally set an **After-Hours SMS Forwarding** number

### After-Hours Behavior

When a text comes in outside your agent's SMS schedule:

**With forwarding number**: The inbound message is forwarded to your after-hours SMS number, and the sender receives: "This Magpipe agent is currently off duty."

**Without forwarding number**: The sender receives: "This Magpipe agent is currently off duty." No AI response is generated.

During scheduled hours, texts are handled normally by the AI agent.

## Multilingual SMS

Your agent's language setting applies to SMS as well as voice calls. The agent will respond to text messages in the configured language.

### Supported Languages

| Setting          | Behavior                                                                        |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **English**      | Responds in English (default)                                                   |
| **Multilingual** | Detects the language of each incoming message and responds in the same language |
| **French**       | Always responds in French                                                       |
| **Spanish**      | Always responds in Spanish                                                      |
| **German**       | Always responds in German                                                       |

### Multilingual Mode

When set to **Multilingual**, the agent automatically detects what language each incoming text is written in and replies in that same language. This works seamlessly even when the sender switches languages mid-conversation:

```
Visitor: What are your hours?
Agent: We're open Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm!

Visitor: ¿Tienen servicio los sábados?
Agent: Estamos cerrados los fines de semana, pero puedes dejarnos un mensaje y te responderemos el lunes.

Visitor: Merci, bonne journée!
Agent: Merci à vous aussi, bonne journée !
```

### Configuring Language

1. Open your agent's settings
2. Under **Basic Settings**, select a **Language**
3. The setting applies to both voice calls and SMS — no separate configuration needed

<Note>
  The language setting controls the agent's response language. Your system prompt can be written in any language — the agent will follow the language instruction regardless.
</Note>

## Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Keep responses concise">
    SMS has character limits. Agent responses are automatically kept brief.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Set expectations in your prompt">
    Tell the agent it's responding via text: "Keep responses under 160 characters when possible."
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Monitor the Inbox">
    Check your Inbox regularly for conversations that might need human follow-up.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use for confirmations">
    SMS is great for appointment confirmations, reminders, and quick updates.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Limitations

* SMS is text-only (no images or media in agent responses)
* Some carriers may filter automated messages
* International SMS may have additional costs
* Message length affects segment count (and cost)

## Compliance

When using SMS for business:

* Honor opt-out requests ("STOP" messages)
* Don't send unsolicited marketing messages
* Include business identification
* Follow local regulations (TCPA, CASL, etc.)