# Send Text

The Send Text step's fields, the checks it runs before a text goes out, and what it saves.

Updated Oct 28, 2026. Source: https://smallbusinesschatbot.com/docs/workflows/steps/text

## What this does

When a run reaches **Send Text**, Small Business Chatbot sends one text from your business phone number to the number in **Recipient phone**. The text is logged on the matching CRM contact's timeline as **SMS sent**.

- **Where:** **Workflows** › a step's **Node settings** › **Node type**: Send Text
- **Needs:** **Outbound automation** and **Text messages** on, and a business phone number
- **Counts toward:** the daily limit for texts

## Fields

| Field | What it does | Default or options |
|---|---|---|
| **Recipient phone** | The number to text. Type it, or insert a variable such as `{{trigger.phone}}`. A 10-digit number without `+` is read as a North American number and gets `+1`. | Empty. In a workflow that starts with an appointment trigger: `{{trigger.contact.phone}}` |
| **Message** | The text to send. Variables are filled in when the step runs. | Empty |

![The Send Text step with Recipient phone set to {{trigger.phone}} and a thank-you message that greets the visitor by first name](https://smallbusinesschatbot.com/static/images/docs/user-guides/your-first-workflow-text-step-2026-10-28.webp)
*Workflows › Editor, October 2026*

Both fields are required. An empty one fails the step when it runs. Fill-in rules for `{{...}}` are on [Variables](https://smallbusinesschatbot.com/docs/workflows/variables).

## Before it sends

The step runs these checks in this order. The first one that fails stops the step, and nothing is sent.

| Check | When it fails |
|---|---|
| Your business phone number | No number is set up for the account. The step fails with **Voice agent phone number is missing for this tenant**. |
| **Outbound automation** and **Text messages** | Either switch is off under **CRM › Contacts › Settings**. |
| Opt-outs | Any CRM contact with this number has **Do not text** or **Do not contact (all channels)** checked, or the number has opted out by texting STOP. |
| Daily limit for texts | The texts sent or started by all your workflows in the last 24 hours have reached your limit. |

The switches, limits and opt-outs are on [Limits and switches](https://smallbusinesschatbot.com/docs/workflows/limits-and-switches).

> **Careful:** A published workflow with texts switched on texts real people. Test with your own number in **Recipient phone** first.

## What it saves

Later steps read these with the step's **Node name**, for example `{{node_outputs_by_name.send_text.to}}` for a step named Send Text.

| Output | What it holds |
|---|---|
| `status` | `success` |
| `to` | The number texted, with its country code |
| `from` | Your business number |
| `message_text` | The text as sent, with variables filled in |
| `message_sid` | The text's ID at Twilio, which sends it |
| `crm_activity_id` | The ID of the **SMS sent** entry on the contact's timeline |
| `summary` | A line such as "SMS sent to +15555550100." |

## After it sends

- The run moves to the next step straight away. A reply stops the run when **Stop workflows when contact replies** is on for the workflow, with **Text replies** checked.
- If a retry finds that an earlier attempt may already have reached the carrier, the step fails instead of sending again, so the person gets the text once.

## Guides that use it

- [Your first workflow](https://smallbusinesschatbot.com/docs/user-guides/workflows/your-first-workflow)
- [Outbound switches and limits](https://smallbusinesschatbot.com/docs/user-guides/workflows/outbound-switches-and-limits)
- [Opt-outs and STOP](https://smallbusinesschatbot.com/docs/user-guides/texting/opt-outs-and-stop)