SMS Setup Guide

Configure your own Twilio account for reliable SMS delivery to US numbers.

Why You Need Your Own Twilio

• Own your phone numbers — Keep them if you ever leave
• Full billing control — Pay Twilio directly
• Better deliverability — Verified sender identity
• A2P 10DLC compliance — Required for US business texting

What You'll Need

1. Twilio account
2. Verified business information
3. ~30 minutes for setup
4. 1-2 weeks for A2P approval (US)

Complete Setup Process

Phase 1: Twilio Account Setup

Step 1: Create Twilio Account

1. Go to twilio.com
2. Click Sign Up
3. Complete registration
4. Verify your email and phone

Step 2: Upgrade to Paid Account

1. In Twilio Console, click Upgrade
2. Add payment method
3. This is required for A2P registration

Step 3: Get API Credentials

1. Go to Twilio Console
2. Find Account SID (starts with AC...)
3. Find Auth Token (click to reveal)
4. Save these for later

Phase 2: A2P 10DLC Registration (US Required)

If you're sending SMS to US phone numbers, A2P 10DLC registration is mandatory. Without it, your messages will be blocked or heavily filtered.

What is A2P 10DLC?

• A2P = Application-to-Person (business texting)
• 10DLC = 10-Digit Long Code (regular phone numbers)
• Why = Carrier requirements to reduce spam

Step 1: Register Your Brand

1. In Twilio Console, go to Messaging → Services
2. Click A2P Registration
3. Select Brand Registration
4. Fill out your business information:

5. Submit for verification

Processing time: 1-7 business days

Step 2: Create a Campaign

After brand approval:

1. Go to A2P Registration → Campaigns
2. Click Create Campaign
3. Select your registered brand
4. Fill out campaign details:

5. Submit for approval

Processing time: 1-14 business days

Campaign Use Cases

Step 3: Purchase a Phone Number

After campaign approval:

1. Go to Phone Numbers → Buy a Number
2. Select your country (US)
3. Check SMS capability
4. Purchase the number
5. Associate it with your approved campaign

Phase 3: Connect to Rocket Agents

Step 1: Enter Credentials

1. Go to Settings → SMS Setup
2. Enter your Twilio credentials:
   • Account SID
   • Auth Token
   • Phone Number (with +1 prefix)

Step 2: Configure Webhook

Rocket Agents needs to receive incoming SMS:

1. In Twilio Console, go to your phone number
2. Under Messaging, set webhook URL:

   https://your-app.com/api/webhooks/twilio/sms

3. Method: HTTP POST

Step 3: Test Connection

1. Back in Rocket Agents, click Test Connection
2. Send a test SMS to your own phone
3. Reply to verify two-way messaging

A2P 10DLC Tips

Brand Registration Tips

• Use legal business name — Must match IRS/Secretary of State records
• Have website ready — Helps verification
• Use business address — Not PO Box
• Consistent information — Match your website, Google listing, etc.

Campaign Approval Tips

• Be specific — Vague descriptions get rejected
• Include opt-out — Always mention STOP to unsubscribe
• Realistic samples — Write actual messages you'll send
• Explain consent — How do leads agree to receive texts?

Sample Message Examples

Good:
"Hi [Name], this is [Agent] from [Company]. You recently
inquired about our services. Do you have a few minutes to chat?
Reply STOP to opt out."

Bad:
"Buy now! Limited time offer! Click here!"

Troubleshooting

Messages Not Sending

Messages Blocked/Filtered

Low Delivery Rates

• Check A2P Trust Score in Twilio
• Review carrier filtering reports
• Ensure messages match campaign description
• Avoid spam trigger words

SMS Opt-Out Keywords (STOP / HELP)

Rocket Agents automatically handles the standard SMS opt-out keywords:

Compliance notes:

• Every outbound SMS should include opt-out language (e.g., "Reply STOP to opt out")
• STOP/HELP handling is required by TCPA and carrier regulations
• Twilio processes STOP at the carrier level — blocked numbers cannot receive messages even if you try to send
• Include opt-out instructions in your A2P campaign description

A2P Compliance Checklist

Before going live:

• Twilio account upgraded to paid
• Brand registration submitted and approved
• Campaign created and approved
• Phone number purchased
• Number associated with campaign
• Webhook configured for incoming messages
• Connection tested in Rocket Agents
• Opt-out instructions in messages (STOP / HELP)

FAQs

"Is A2P 10DLC required?" Yes, for US numbers. Without it, carriers will block or filter your messages.

"How long does approval take?" Brand: 1-7 days. Campaign: 1-14 days. Total: 2-3 weeks typically.

"Can I send while waiting for approval?" Your messages may be filtered or blocked. Wait for approval for reliable delivery.

"What if my brand is rejected?" Review the rejection reason, correct information, and resubmit.

"What if my campaign is rejected?" Usually needs more specific description or sample messages. Update and resubmit.

"Do I need a new number for each campaign?" No. One number can be used for one campaign. Multiple campaigns need multiple numbers.

"How much does Twilio cost?" Approximately $1/month per number + $0.0079/SMS. Check Twilio pricing.

"Can I use an existing number?" Yes, if you already have a Twilio number. Just register it with A2P.

"What about Canadian numbers?" A2P is US-specific. Canada has different requirements (10DLC not required).

"What's my Trust Score?" Twilio assigns a score based on your brand and campaign. Higher = better delivery.

Related

• Integrations — All integrations
• Voice Calls — Vapi voice setup
• Email Setup — Configure email