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Make Outbound Phone Calls with Python

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In this guide, we'll show you how to use Programmable Voice to make outbound phone calls from your Python applications.

It's pretty easy - all you'll need is the Twilio Python SDK, a voice-capable Twilio phone number, your account credentials and five minutes to have a boatload of fun at your keyboard. Let's get started!

Purchase a voice-enabled Twilio phone number

In the Twilio console, search for and purchase an available phone number capable of making outbound calls. You'll use this phone number as the "From" phone number when you initiate an outbound call.

Search for voice capable numbers

Retrieve your Twilio account credentials

First, you'll need to get your Twilio account credentials. They consist of your AccountSid and your Auth Token. They can be found on the home page of the console.

Retrieve Your Twilio Credentials

Make an outbound call

Now we're ready to make an outbound call with the Twilio Python module.

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        Make an outbound call

        There are a few key parameters to drill into when making the outbound call.

        • "From" - the voice-enabled Twilio phone number you added to your account earlier
        • "To" - the person you'd like to call
        • "Twiml" - Instructions in the form TwiML that explains what should happen when the other party picks up the phone
        • "Url" - Optionally, instead of passing the Twiml parameter, you can provide a Url that returns TwiML Voice instructions.

        What is TwiML?

        TwiML is the Twilio Markup Language, which is just to say that it's an XML document with special tags defined by Twilio to help you build your SMS and voice applications. TwiML is easier shown than explained. Here's some TwiML you might use to respond to an incoming phone call:

        <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
        <Response>
            <Say>Thanks for calling!</Say>
        </Response>
        

        And here's some TwiML you might use to respond to an incoming SMS message:

        <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
        <Response>
            <Message>We got your message, thank you!</Message>
        </Response>
        

        Every TwiML document will have the root <Response> element and within that can contain one or more verbs. Verbs are actions you'd like Twilio to take, such as <Say> a greeting to a caller, or send an SMS <Message> in reply to an incoming message. For a full reference on everything you can do with TwiML, refer to our TwiML API Reference.

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              This uses the Url parameter

              Make an outbound call with hosted TwiML

              This uses the Url parameter
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                    This XML document uses the <Say> and the <Play> TwiML tags to read a message and play an MP3 file for the user.

                    The TwiML used to make the outbound call

                    This XML document uses the <Say> and the <Play> TwiML tags to read a message and play an MP3 file for the user.

                    Of course, the TwiML you use to make the outbound call doesn't need to be a static file like in this example. Server-side code that you control can dynamically render TwiML to use for the outbound call.

                    Check out our inbound call guide to see an example of a Python server which generates TwiML.

                    Where to next?

                    Great work! In a few lines of code, you've placed an outbound phone call from your Python code. If you're using Programmable Voice with Python, you might enjoy these other guides as well.

                    Happy hacking!

                    Andrew Baker Maylon Pedroso Jarod Reyes Rob Spectre David Prothero Ricky Robinett Kevin Whinnery Craig Dennis Brianna DelValle
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                    Need some help?

                    We all do sometimes; code is hard. Get help now from our support team, or lean on the wisdom of the crowd by visiting Twilio's Stack Overflow Collective or browsing the Twilio tag on Stack Overflow.

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