# Your first SMS. A clear path to production.

Create an API key, prepare a sender and enable the destination. Test a message and follow its delivery events, then connect the same workflow to your application.

[Start for Free](/dashboard/signup?returnTo=%2Fdashboard%2Fw%2Fsms%2Fonboarding)

[Contact sales](/demo?product=sms&source_page=%2Fsms-api%2Fgetting-started)

## Set up with your agent

[Read the agent setup guide](/docs/ai/set-up-your-agent)

Copy this prompt into your coding agent:

```text
Bird connects customer communications, data and automation. Help me build with Bird using my coding agent.
1. Read https://bird.com/docs/ai/set-up-your-agent.md and follow its setup workflow for this client. Use an existing connected Bird MCP server or signed-in CLI when available.
2. Read the product guide for the task I want to complete and inspect my existing integration. Identify the workspace, available operations and required setup.
3. Help me complete a first example for the product and destination I choose. Follow the operation through to its actual result, explain any uncertainty, and help me choose the next step.

First task: Follow the SMS first-send guide. Inspect my workspace, API access, sender and destination setup; propose a documented controlled test and ask for authorization before sending.

Use this Bird page as the starting context: https://bird.com/sms-api/getting-started
Read its Markdown alternative and linked guides. Keep the first example relevant to this page and the customer outcome I choose. Preserve the supplied campaign context when following Bird signup or sales links.
```

[Read customer stories](/customers)

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## Prepare a test you can learn from.

Prepare the sender and destination, then test the complete delivery path.

- **01** Sign up for Bird. Create your account and an API key. Keep the key on your server and configure the workspace your application will use.
- **02** Prepare the sender and destination. Choose a sender your workspace can use and complete its registration requirements. Enable the destination country before sending. Holding a number and permission to send from it are separate checks. [Read the sender guide →](/docs/guides/sms/senders)
- **03** Test the send and its outcome. Use the supported sandbox recipient to test the lifecycle; it still requires the appropriate US sender and destination setup. A send to your own phone is a real SMS. Verify signed events and handle failures before sending to customers. [Sending and testing guide →](/docs/guides/sms/sending-sms)

## Questions before your first send

### How do I test my SMS integration?

Follow the sending guide with a regional API key, an enabled US destination and a suitable US sender. Send to the documented sandbox recipient +15005550006 to exercise delivery events without contacting a real recipient. A message to your own phone is a real send.

### What does Bird SMS include?

Send messages, receive replies, manage senders and destinations, and inspect delivery outcomes. The product hub connects number types, registration, campaigns, analytics and the corresponding setup guides.

### Which countries can I send to?

Use the destination catalogue to check current coverage, sender types and registration requirements. Enable the destination in your workspace before sending; coverage alone does not complete your sender setup.

### When do I need 10DLC registration?

US application-to-person messaging from local ten-digit numbers uses 10DLC brand and campaign registration. Toll-free and short-code programs have their own requirements. Choose the sender type first and follow its registration guide.

## Choose your next step

- [Explore the SMS platform](/sms-api): Explore sending, replies, campaigns and delivery controls.
- [Prepare an audience campaign](/sms-api/features/marketing): Connect the audience, content, sender and launch review.
- [Find a guide or answer](/sms-api/resources): Continue with setup, troubleshooting and SMS concepts.

## Build the next part of your SMS workflow.

Set up your sender and destination, test the send and use delivery events to check the integration before messaging customers.



## Related resources

- [Sending your first SMS](/learn/sms/sending-your-first-sms) (video)
- [What does SMS mean?](/explained/sms/what-does-sms-mean) (answer)
- [Build your first integration](/learn/paths/integration) (course)

[Get an implementation brief](/learn/workspace?topic=sms)