> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://prof-rossetti.gitbook.io/intro-to-python/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://prof-rossetti.gitbook.io/intro-to-python/notes/python/packages/twilio.md).

# The twilio Package

The `twilio` package provides some useful programmatic SMS and voice message capabilities via the [Twilio Service](https://www.twilio.com/).

Reference:

* [Source](https://github.com/twilio/twilio-python)
* [Package](https://pypi.python.org/pypi/twilio)
* [Documentation](https://www.twilio.com/docs/libraries/python)

## Installation

Install `twilio`, if necessary:

```bash
pip install twilio
```

## Setup

For SMS capabilities, [sign up for a Twilio account](https://www.twilio.com/try-twilio), click the link in a confirmation email to verify your account, then confirm a code sent to your phone to enable 2FA.

Then [create a new project](https://www.twilio.com/console/projects/create) with "Programmable SMS" capabilities. And from the console, view that project's Account SID and Auth Token. Update the contents of the ".env" file to specify these values as [Environment Variables](/intro-to-python/notes/environment-variables.md) called `TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID` and `TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN`, respectively.

You'll also need to [obtain a Twilio phone number](https://www.twilio.com/console/sms/getting-started/build) to send the messages from. After doing so, update the contents of [the ".env" file](/intro-to-python/notes/python/packages/dotenv.md) to specify this value (including the plus sign at the beginning) as an environment variable called `SENDER_SMS`.

Finally, set an environment variable called `RECIPIENT_SMS` to specify the recipient's phone number (including the plus sign at the beginning).

## Usage

Send yourself an SMS:

```python
import os

from dotenv import load_dotenv
from twilio.rest import Client

load_dotenv()

TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID = os.environ.get("TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID", "OOPS, please specify env var called 'TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID'")
TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN  = os.environ.get("TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN", "OOPS, please specify env var called 'TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN'")
SENDER_SMS  = os.environ.get("SENDER_SMS", "OOPS, please specify env var called 'SENDER_SMS'")
RECIPIENT_SMS  = os.environ.get("RECIPIENT_SMS", "OOPS, please specify env var called 'RECIPIENT_SMS'")

# AUTHENTICATE

client = Client(TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID, TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN)

# COMPILE REQUEST PARAMETERS (PREPARE THE MESSAGE)

content = "Hello, this is a message from your personal notification service. TODO: customize me!"

# ISSUE REQUEST (SEND SMS)

message = client.messages.create(to=RECIPIENT_SMS, from_=SENDER_SMS, body=content)

# PARSE RESPONSE

print("----------------------")
print("SMS")
print("----------------------")
print("RESPONSE: ", type(message))
print("FROM:", message.from_)
print("TO:", message.to)
print("BODY:", message.body)
print("PROPERTIES:")
print(message._properties))
```