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

# SMS

> Text a list of contacts and let your agent carry on each conversation over two-way SMS

<Info>SMS batches are a Pro feature and require telephony. Telephony add-on charges apply. See [pricing](https://www.dimedove.com/pricing) for details.</Info>

An SMS batch sends a text message to every person on your list. When someone replies, your agent carries on the conversation over two-way SMS, just as it would with a contact who texted you first.

## Requirements

* A [phone number](/platform/telephony/overview) that is enabled and has SMS turned on
* An agent assigned to that number: it answers every reply

## Settings

For an SMS batch you configure:

* **Assigned phone**: which of your SMS-enabled numbers sends the messages. The number's assigned agent handles replies.
* **Message**: the text sent to each recipient. You can reference recipient columns in it (for example, `{{first_name}}`). Outbound SMS messages are kept short to fit within a single message segment.
* **Additional context**: optional batch-level context passed to the agent for every conversation.

You can also add **Campaign instructions** so the agent follows up with people who do not reply. See [Campaign instructions](/platform/outbound/overview#campaign-instructions).

## Sending

Before an SMS batch starts, you confirm that every recipient consented to receive your messages, each time you run or schedule it. Texts go out only between 8 AM and 9 PM in the batch's timezone unless you acknowledge otherwise. See [Sending and scheduling](/platform/outbound/overview#sending-and-scheduling).

Texts from a number are paced to its carrier limit, so a large batch takes time to go out, while your agent's replies to people are never delayed. A text is never sent twice when a send is retried.

## Recipient Statuses

| Status        | Meaning                                                            |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Queued**    | Waiting to be sent                                                 |
| **Sent**      | The text was sent                                                  |
| **Opted out** | The person asked not to be contacted, so they were skipped         |
| **Failed**    | The text could not be sent, including when the carrier rejected it |

## Opting Out and Back In

Recipients can opt out at any time by replying with a standard keyword such as STOP, and opt back in by texting START. Only a message that is just the keyword counts, so "stop by later" is not an opt-out, although a plain-language request to stop is recognized too. A phone opt-out covers both texts and calls. See [Opt-outs](/platform/outbound/opt-outs).