Twilio

Cloud communications platform for SMS, voice, video, and messaging

Twilio is a cloud communications platform that provides APIs for SMS, voice calls, video, WhatsApp messaging, email (via SendGrid), and more. Authentication uses Account SID + Auth Token as HTTP Basic Auth. Twilio is the industry standard for programmatic communications. For OpenClaw agents, Twilio enables SMS and voice capabilities beyond what chat channels provide. Your agent can send SMS alerts for critical events, make automated phone calls, set up voice-based interactions, or use WhatsApp Business API for broader messaging. It's especially valuable for notifications that need to reach someone regardless of whether they're checking chat.

Tags: messaging, communication

Category: Communication

Use Cases

  • Send SMS alerts for critical events when Telegram/Discord might be missed
  • Build voice-based OpenClaw interactions via Twilio phone calls
  • Use WhatsApp Business API through Twilio as an OpenClaw channel

Tips

  • Start with a trial account to test your integration before adding payment
  • Use Twilio's Messaging Service (not raw phone numbers) for better delivery and compliance
  • For India, use a pre-registered DLT template to avoid SMS delivery failures

Known Issues & Gotchas

  • Trial accounts prefix all messages with 'Sent from Twilio trial account' — can't be removed
  • Trial accounts can only send to phone numbers you've verified in the console
  • Twilio phone number capabilities vary by country — not all numbers support SMS and voice

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Twilio free to try?

Yes. Twilio offers a trial account with ~$15 in free credit. Trial accounts can only send to verified phone numbers and messages include a 'Sent from Twilio trial' prefix.

Can I use Twilio for international SMS?

Yes. Twilio supports SMS to 200+ countries. Pricing varies by destination — India is about $0.04/msg, US is $0.0079/msg. You need a Twilio phone number capable of sending to your target country.

How does Twilio compare to using Telegram for OpenClaw notifications?

Telegram is free and great for regular use. Twilio SMS is for critical alerts that must reach someone even without internet — it works on basic phones and doesn't require an app.