Adding Channels to a Sender

Channels are the communication pathways your sender uses to deliver messages. Each channel has different capabilities, requirements, and use cases. This guide walks you through adding and configuring each channel.

Overview

A sender can have multiple channels configured, enabling features like smart routing and automatic fallback. Here's a quick reference:

Prerequisites

Before adding channels:

1. API key or dashboard access - You need access to your Zavu Dashboard
2. A sender profile - Create a sender first if you haven't already
3. Channel-specific credentials - See each channel section below

Adding Channels via Dashboard

1. Navigate to Sender Settings

   Go to Senders in your Zavu Dashboard and select the sender you want to configure.

2. Open the Channels Tab

   Click the Channels tab to view all available messaging channels and their current status.

3. Add a Channel

   Click the Add button next to the channel you want to enable. Each channel has a specific setup flow.

4. Complete Configuration

   Follow the channel-specific setup wizard to complete the configuration.

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SMS Channel

SMS is the most straightforward channel to configure. It uses your sender's phone number to send text messages.

Requirements

• Phone number with SMS capability (purchased through Zavu or your own)
• Phone number must be assigned to the sender

Setup via Dashboard

1. Navigate to your sender's Channels tab
2. The SMS channel is automatically enabled when you assign a phone number with SMS capability to your sender
3. Verify the status shows Active

Setup via API

When creating or updating a sender with a phone number that has SMS capability, SMS is automatically enabled:

TypeScriptcURLCopy
import Zavu from "@zavudev/sdk";

const zavu = new Zavu({ apiKey: process.env.ZAVUDEV_API_KEY });

const sender = await zavu.senders.create({
  name: "Support Line",
  phoneNumber: "+15551234567", // Phone with SMS capability
  setAsDefault: true,
});

console.log("Sender created:", sender.id);

Verifying SMS Status

Check if SMS is properly configured:

TypeScriptcURLCopy
const sender = await zavu.senders.retrieve({ senderId: "sender_12345" });
console.log("Phone number:", sender.phoneNumber);
// SMS is active if the phone number has SMS capability

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WhatsApp Channel

WhatsApp requires connecting a WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) through Meta's Business Platform.

Requirements

• Phone number (Zavu number recommended, or your own)
• Meta Business account
• WhatsApp Business Account (created during setup)

Connection Options

Setup via Dashboard

1. Open WhatsApp Setup

   In your sender's Channels tab, click Add next to WhatsApp.

2. Choose Connection Method

   Select whether to use a Zavu phone number (recommended) or your own phone number.

3. Complete Meta Business Signup

   Follow the Meta embedded signup wizard to create or connect your WhatsApp Business Account.

4. Verify Phone Number

   Enter your phone number and verify it. For Zavu numbers, select Call verification (not SMS).

5. Enter Verification Code

   Enter the verification code displayed in the dashboard to complete setup.

After WhatsApp Connection

Once connected, your sender response will include WhatsApp details:

JSONCopy
{
  "id": "sender_12345",
  "name": "Support",
  "phoneNumber": "+15551234567",
  "whatsapp": {
    "phoneNumberId": "123456789012345",
    "displayPhoneNumber": "+15551234567",
    "paymentStatus": {
      "setupStatus": "COMPLETE",
      "methodStatus": "VALID",
      "canSendTemplates": true
    }
  }
}

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Email Channel

Email requires domain verification to ensure deliverability and prevent spam filtering.

Requirements

• A domain you control (e.g., yourcompany.com)
• Access to DNS settings for the domain
• Verification typically takes 10-30 minutes

Setup via Dashboard

1. Navigate to Email Domains

   Go to Email Domains in your dashboard and click Add Domain.

2. Enter Your Domain

   Enter your domain (e.g., yourcompany.com).

3. Add DNS Records

   Add the DKIM records provided to your domain's DNS:

   CodeCopy
   selector1._domainkey.yourcompany.com  CNAME  selector1.dkim.zavu.dev
   selector2._domainkey.yourcompany.com  CNAME  selector2.dkim.zavu.dev
   selector3._domainkey.yourcompany.com  CNAME  selector3.dkim.zavu.dev

4. Wait for Verification

   Zavu checks DNS records every 5 minutes. Status will change to Verified once complete.

5. Assign to Sender

   In your sender's Channels tab, enable email and select your verified domain.

Email Configuration

Configure your email sender identity:

Receiving Inbound Email

To receive inbound emails, enable email receiving on your sender:

TypeScriptcURLCopy
await zavu.senders.update({
  senderId: "sender_12345",
  emailReceivingEnabled: true,
});

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Telegram Channel

Telegram requires creating a bot through BotFather and connecting it to your sender.

Requirements

• Telegram account
• Bot token from @BotFather

Create a Telegram Bot

1. Open BotFather

   Open Telegram and search for @BotFather.

2. Create New Bot

   Send /newbot and follow the prompts to name your bot.

3. Save Bot Token

   BotFather provides a token like:

   CodeCopy
   123456789:ABCdefGHIjklMNOpqrsTUVwxyz

Setup via Dashboard

1. Go to your sender's Channels tab
2. Click Add next to Telegram
3. Paste your bot token
4. Click Verify to confirm the bot is valid
5. Click Save to complete setup

Zavu automatically registers the webhook with Telegram when you save.

Setup via API

TypeScriptcURLCopy
// Telegram configuration is done via the dashboard
// The sender will include telegram details after setup:
const sender = await zavu.senders.retrieve({ senderId: "sender_12345" });

// Send a Telegram message (requires user to message bot first)
await zavu.messages.send({
  to: "123456789", // Chat ID from inbound message
  text: "Thanks for reaching out!",
  channel: "telegram",
});

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Instagram Channel

Instagram messaging requires connecting through Meta's Business Platform with your Instagram Business Account.

Requirements

• Instagram Business Account (not personal)
• Meta Business account
• Meta App with Instagram Messaging permissions

Setup via Dashboard

1. Open Instagram Setup

   In your sender's Channels tab, click Add next to Instagram.

2. Connect Meta App

   Follow the wizard to connect your Meta App and Instagram Business Account.

3. Grant Permissions

   Authorize the required Instagram messaging permissions.

4. Select Instagram Account

   Choose which Instagram Business Account to connect.

Sending Instagram Messages

TypeScriptcURLCopy
await zavu.messages.send({
  to: "17841400000000000", // Instagram-scoped User ID
  text: "Thanks for your message!",
  channel: "instagram",
});

---

Messenger Channel

Messenger lets your sender receive and reply to Facebook Page conversations — including Facebook Marketplace chats — by connecting a Facebook Page.

Requirements

• A Facebook Page (admin access)
• Meta account login during setup

Setup via Dashboard

1. Open Messenger Setup

   In your sender's Channels tab, click Add next to Messenger.

2. Connect with Meta

   Log in with the Facebook account that manages your Page and grant the Page messaging permissions.

3. Select Facebook Page

   Choose which Facebook Page to connect. Webhooks are subscribed automatically.

Sending Messenger Messages

TypeScriptcURLCopy
await zavu.messages.send({
  to: "24025631120151183", // Messenger user ID (PSID)
  text: "Thanks for your message!",
  channel: "messenger",
});

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Voice Channel

Voice enables sending text-to-speech messages and receiving voicemails from callers.

Requirements

• Phone number with voice capability (purchased through Zavu)
• Phone number must be assigned to the sender

Capabilities

Setup via Dashboard

1. Navigate to Voice Setup

   In your sender's Channels tab, click Add next to Voice.

2. Verify Phone Number

   Ensure your assigned phone number has voice capability enabled.

3. Configure Voicemail

   Set up your voicemail greeting message that callers will hear.

Sending Voice Messages

Send text-to-speech messages to recipients. The text is converted to natural-sounding speech and delivered as a voice call.

TypeScriptcURLCopy
await zavu.messages.send({
  to: "+56912345678",
  channel: "voice",
  text: "Your verification code is 1 2 3 4 5 6",
});

Receiving Voicemails

When someone calls your Zavu number:

1. The caller hears your voicemail greeting
2. They leave a voice message
3. The message is automatically transcribed
4. It appears in your inbox with both audio and transcription

Configure webhooks to receive message.inbound events with channel: "voice".

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Verifying Channel Status

Check via Dashboard

Navigate to your sender's Channels tab to see the status of each channel:

Check via API

TypeScriptcURLCopy
const sender = await zavu.senders.retrieve({ senderId: "sender_12345" });

console.log("Sender ID:", sender.id);
console.log("Phone Number:", sender.phoneNumber);
console.log("WhatsApp:", sender.whatsapp ? "Connected" : "Not configured");
console.log("Email Receiving:", sender.emailReceivingEnabled);

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Best Practices

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Troubleshooting

SMS Issues

WhatsApp Issues

Email Issues

Telegram Issues

Instagram Issues

Voice Issues

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Next Steps