Twilio Communications

<SKILL_METADATA> description: Patterns for robust SMS and Communication workflows using Twilio version: 1.0.0 author: sickn33 </SKILL_METADATA>

Patterns

SMS Sending Pattern

Basic pattern for sending SMS messages with Twilio. Handles the fundamentals: phone number formatting, message delivery, and delivery status callbacks.

Key considerations:

•Phone numbers must be in E.164 format (+1234567890)
•Default rate limit: 80 messages per second (MPS)
•Messages over 160 characters are split (and cost more)
•Carrier filtering can block messages (especially to US numbers)

When to use: ['Sending notifications to users', 'Transactional messages (order confirmations, shipping)', 'Alerts and reminders']

python

from twilio.rest import Client
from twilio.base.exceptions import TwilioRestException
import os
import re

class TwilioSMS:
    """
    SMS sending with proper error handling and validation.
    """

    def __init__(self):
        self.client = Client(
            os.environ["TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID"],
            os.environ["TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN"]
        )
        self.from_number = os.environ["TWILIO_PHONE_NUMBER"]

    def validate_e164(self, phone: str) -> bool:
        """Validate phone number is in E.164 format."""
        pattern = r'^\+[1-9]\d{1,14}$'
        return bool(re.match(pattern, phone))

    def send_sms(
        self,
        to: str,
        body: str,
        status_callback: str = None
    ) -> dict:
        """
        Send an SMS message.

        Args:
            to: Recipient phone number in E.164 format
            body: Message text (160 chars = 1 segment)
            status_callback: URL for delivery status webhooks

        Returns:
            Message SID and status
        """
        # Validate phone number format
        if not self.validate_e164(to):
            return {
                "success": False,
                "error": "Phone number must be in E.164 format (+1234567890)"
            }

        # Check message length (warn about segmentation)
        segment_count = (len(body) + 159) // 160
        if segment_count > 1:
            print(f"Warning: Message will be sent as {segment_count} segments")

        try:
            message = self.client.messages.create(
                to=to,
                from_=self.from_number,
                body=body,
                status_callback=status_callback
            )

            return {
                "success": True,
                "message_sid": message.sid,
                "status": message.status,
                "segments": segment_count
            }

        except TwilioRestException as e:
            return self._handle_error(e)

    def _handle_error(self, error: TwilioRestException) -> dict:
        """Standardized error handling."""
        return {
            "success": False,
            "error": str(error),
            "code": error.code
        }

Twilio Verify Pattern (2FA/OTP)

Use this for phone verification instead of raw SMS. Verify handles code generation, sending, and checking automatically. More secure and better conversion rates than rolling your own OTP.

When to use: ['User registration/login', 'High-value transaction confirmation', 'Password reset flows']

TwiML IVR Pattern

Basic structure for interactive voice response systems. Routes calls based on keypad input or speech.

When to use: ['Customer support routing', 'Automated phone surveys', 'Appointment confirmation calls']

⚠️ Sharp Edges

•A2P 10DLC: You MUST register your brand and campaign if sending from local numbers to US numbers. Unregistered traffic is blocked.
•Opt-out Management: You legally must handle STOP/START keywords. Twilio handles this automatically for long codes, but your app logic should respect it too.
•Geo-Permissions: Enable countries in the Twilio console before sending international messages.