How to Publish a Custom AI Bot to SMS and WhatsApp

Sign up on CalStudio.com

Visit CalStudio.com and create your free account to get started with AI bot creation.

Click "Create App"

Once signed up, navigate to your dashboard and click the "Create App" button to start building your bot.

Configure Your Bot

Fill out the form with the necessary details for your WhatsApp/SMS bot:

• Name: Choose a clear, descriptive name
• Image: Upload a profile picture (optional for SMS/WhatsApp)
• AI Model: Select from GPT-4.1, Claude 4, Gemini Pro, etc.
• Prompt: Define your bot's personality and responses
• Design: Not relevant for WhatsApp/SMS (skip this)

Create and Launch Your App

Click "Create App" in the top right corner and wait for your app to appear in the dashboard. Once visible, click "Launch" to make it live.

Start Twilio Integration

After launching, click the "Publish" button under the status column, and select "Continue with Twilio" option.

Create Twilio Account

Create an account on Twilio.com and verify your phone number with OTP. Download and save the Recovery Code for account security.

Get Twilio Credentials

On Twilio, click "My First Twilio Account" and copy your Account SID and Auth Token.

Connect Twilio to CalStudio

Go back to your CalStudio dashboard and paste the Twilio credentials along with your mobile number in the exact format shown. Click "Publish."

Save Webhook URL

Save the webhook URL provided in the popup after publishing. You'll need this for Twilio configuration.

Configure Twilio WhatsApp Sandbox

In Twilio, go to Messaging → Try It Out → Send a WhatsApp Message. In Sandbox Settings, paste your webhook URL where it says "When a message comes in" box, keep Method as POST, and save.

Test Your Bot

Scan the QR code to test your bot. This way, you can test your WhatsApp bot before deploying it to production.

Upgrade Twilio Account

For moving to production scenarios, you will need to upgrade your account through the upgrade link (blue text, green background). Click on it to create your customer profile.

Complete Verification

Complete verification process:

• Enter legal name and select country
• Verify Government ID (front and back photos)
• Add payment details for billing

View Billing Overview

Once completed, you can see your billing overview under the Manage Billing section.

Buy a Phone Number

From the left menu, go to Phone Numbers → Manage → Buy a number. Choose and purchase a number of your liking.

Review and Purchase

Review and buy the number that best suits your needs.

Set Up WhatsApp Sender

From the left menu, navigate to Messaging → Senders → WhatsApp Senders and click "Get Started."

Connect Facebook Account

Select "Twilio Phone Number" option and enter your purchased number. Continue with Facebook login.

Configure Business Information

After logging in, fill out the Business info and WhatsApp business display name and category.

Verify Phone Number

Enter your Twilio phone number for verification and complete the OTP process shown in the window.

Final Configuration

Return to WhatsApp Senders, click your listed number, and paste the CalStudio webhook URL in "Webhook URL for incoming messages." Scroll down and click "Update WhatsApp Sender."