twilio

What is twilio?

The Twilio npm package is a Node.js client library that provides tools to interact with the Twilio API for various communication solutions, including SMS, voice calls, video, chat, and more. It allows developers to programmatically send and receive text messages, make and receive phone calls, handle authentication with two-factor authentication, and work with other Twilio services.

What are twilio's main functionalities?

Sending SMS

This feature allows you to send SMS messages to a specified phone number using Twilio's messaging API.

const twilio = require('twilio');
const client = new twilio('ACCOUNT_SID', 'AUTH_TOKEN');
client.messages.create({
  body: 'Hello from Twilio!',
  to: '[phone]',
  from: '[phone]'
}).then(message => console.log(message.sid));

Making Voice Calls

This feature enables you to make outbound voice calls to phones around the world with a specified TwiML URL to control the call flow.

const twilio = require('twilio');
const client = new twilio('ACCOUNT_SID', 'AUTH_TOKEN');
client.calls.create({
  url: 'http://demo.twilio.com/docs/voice.xml',
  to: '[phone]',
  from: '[phone]'
}).then(call => console.log(call.sid));

Handling Two-Factor Authentication

This feature is used for sending verification tokens for two-factor authentication, enhancing security for user accounts.

const twilio = require('twilio');
const client = new twilio('ACCOUNT_SID', 'AUTH_TOKEN');
client.verify.services('SERVICE_SID')
  .verifications
  .create({to: '[phone]', channel: 'sms'})
  .then(verification => console.log(verification.status));

Working with Video

This feature allows you to create video rooms where multiple participants can join for video conferencing.

const twilio = require('twilio');
const client = new twilio('ACCOUNT_SID', 'AUTH_TOKEN');
client.video.rooms.create({
  uniqueName: 'DailyStandup'
}).then(room => console.log(room.sid));

Other packages similar to twilio

nexmo

Nexmo, now known as Vonage API, is a service similar to Twilio that provides APIs for SMS, voice, phone verifications, and other communication services. It offers similar functionality but with different pricing and API design.

plivo

Plivo is another cloud communication platform that enables businesses to integrate voice and SMS capabilities into their applications. It is often compared to Twilio in terms of features and services offered.

bandwidth

Bandwidth offers a range of communication APIs, including voice, messaging, and 911 access. It is a direct competitor to Twilio and provides similar services with a focus on enterprise solutions.

sinch

Sinch provides cloud-based communication services and APIs for SMS, voice, video, and verification. It competes with Twilio by offering a suite of communication tools for developers.

README

twilio-node

A node.js Twilio helper library.

End User Docs

For detailed usage infomation and API docs, head out here:

http://twilio.github.io/twilio-node/

Contributing

Bug fixes, docs, and enhancements welcome! If you're not familiar with the GitHub pull request/contribution process, this is a nice tutorial.

Getting Started

Fork and clone the repository. Install dependencies with:

npm install

Run the existing test spec with npm test.

To run just one specific test file instead of the whole suite, provide a JavaScript regular expression that will match your spec file's name, like:

./node_modules/.bin/jasmine-node spec -m .\*accounts.\*

To run live tests (such as client.live.spec.js) against your Twilio account, you will need to create a local configuration file. In the project root directory, do the following:

• cp config.sample.js config.js
• Edit config.js with your account information, a Twilio number, and your own mobile number
• Run the live tests

Contributing Code

In your fork, create a new feature/bug fix branch, per the guide listed above. Write a Jasmine test spec for your new feature or bug fix, and hack until it passes! Submit a pull request, and it will be reviewed as soon as possible.

Contributing Docs

Right now, the docs are maintained in static HTML in the gh-pages branch of this repository. We hope to switch to a more robust documentation system soon, but for the time being, you can make documentation changes by editing index.html directly.