SMS (Twilio)
SMS (Twilio)
Start with meaning, then move to detail.
This lesson explains SMS (Twilio) as part of operating Hermes with explicit security boundaries. You will learn what it does, when it matters, and the smallest safe test that proves it works.
If you are new, do not memorize names. Focus on three questions: what problem does this solve, what access does it need, and how can you verify the result?
For practice, inspect the first example, identify its effects, run it on test data, and compare the result with the source claim.
For advanced readers, inspect Prerequisites, Step 1: Get Your Twilio Credentials, Step 2: Configure Hermes, then verify failure modes and version compatibility.
You only need to know which files and accounts the agent may access.
A clear outcome before you read.
- Understand SMS (Twilio) without assumed prior knowledge.
- Separate the source description from what still needs testing in your environment.
- Read the first command and identify its inputs and outputs before copying it.
Short definitions before the details.
- Gateway
- The process that connects Hermes to channels such as Telegram or Discord and routes messages.
- Approval & sandbox
- Approval pauses a sensitive action before execution; sandboxing limits impact if something goes wrong.
Set up Hermes Agent as an SMS chatbot via Twilio
What does the source say, and in what order?
- 01Prerequisites
Start here to understand the core idea or structure.
- 02Step 1: Get Your Twilio Credentials
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 03Step 2: Configure Hermes
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 04Interactive setup (recommended)
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 05Manual setup
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 06Step 3: Configure Twilio Webhook
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 07Step 4: Start the Gateway
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 08Environment Variables
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 09SMS-Specific Behavior
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 10Security
Finish here to verify the result and special cases.
Copy only after you understand the effect.
hermes gateway setupTWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID=ACxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN=your_auth_token_here
TWILIO_PHONE_NUMBER=+15551234567
# Security: restrict to specific phone numbers (recommended)
SMS_ALLOWED_USERS=+15559876543,+15551112222
# Optional: set a home channel for cron job delivery
SMS_HOME_CHANNEL=+15559876543# Using cloudflared
cloudflared tunnel --url http://localhost:8080
# Using ngrok
ngrok http 8080Read the first command and identify its inputs and outputs before copying it.
Match every command to your installed Hermes version, review the files and accounts it can reach, and use non-sensitive data for the first test. If this explanation differs from the source, the official source wins.