---
title: "bird esim subscribers create"
description: "Create an eSIM subscriber"
canonical: "https://bird.com/docs/cli/reference/esim-subscribers-create"
---

# `bird esim subscribers create`

## Usage

```bash
bird esim subscribers create [flags]
```

## Description

Create an eSIM subscriber

Create or return a subscriber for a workspace contact. Requires email\_marketing read and esim write. Does not buy or assign an eSIM. The association blocks contact deletion and cannot currently be removed, including after the service ends.

Build the request from flags, a JSON EsimSubscriberCreate body via --body-file ("-" reads
stdin), or both — a flag overrides the matching body field. Run --example to
print a ready-to-edit body, or --dry-run to print the resolved request without
sending it.

## Examples

```bash
# print the body shape (no credentials needed)
bird esim subscribers create --example

# the body it prints:
```

```json
{
  "contact_id": "con_01krdgeqcxet5s7t44vh8rt9mg"
}
```

## Options

#### Request

| Name                | Description                                                  |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `--body-file`       | Read the JSON request body from this file; "-" reads stdin   |
| `--example`         | Print a complete example request body, then exit             |
| `--dry-run`         | Print the resolved request without sending it, then exit     |
| `--idempotency-key` | Deduplication key; a retry with the same key won't act twice |

#### Options

| Name                | Description                                                                                          |
| ------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `--contact-id`      | Existing contact in this workspace; requires Contacts read permission. (required; or in --body-file) |
| `--response-schema` | Print the fields this command returns, then exit                                                     |

## Related

| Name                                                                      | Description            |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------- |
| [`bird esim subscribers get`](/docs/cli/reference/esim-subscribers-get)   | Get an eSIM subscriber |
| [`bird esim subscribers list`](/docs/cli/reference/esim-subscribers-list) | List eSIM subscribers  |

## Related resources

- [Should I use a Bird SDK or call the API directly?](/explained/platform/should-i-use-an-sdk-or-call-the-api-directly) (answer)
- [Build your first integration](/learn/paths/integration) (course)
- [Send your first email](/docs/get-started/send-your-first-email) (docs)

[Get an implementation brief](/learn/workspace?topic=api-basics)