EpicTexting
How sending SMS from Claude works
Claude can call outside tools through connectors, which are built on the Model Context Protocol (MCP). A connector is a small server that tells Claude what it can do, such as “send an SMS” or “check delivery status”, and does the work when Claude asks.
EpicTexting is a hosted connector that sends texts through your own Twilio number. You don't install anything or edit config files: paste one URL into Claude, sign in, and you're done.
What you need
- A Claude account. Any plan works. Free plans can add one custom connector.
- A Twilio account with an SMS number. Twilio delivers the text, so it comes from your number and replies come back to you.
- A free EpicTexting account, which holds your Twilio connection and keeps a log of what was sent.
Step 1: Get a Twilio phone number
- Sign up at twilio.com (trial credit included).
- Buy a number with SMS capability. A US local number is about $1.15 a month.
- Copy your Account SID and Auth Token from the Account Info box on the console home page.
For texts to US numbers, register your number for A2P 10DLC (or verify your toll-free number) in the Twilio console. Trial accounts can only text numbers you've verified.
Prefer to watch? These two short videos show the whole Twilio sign-up:
Step 2: Connect Twilio to EpicTexting
- Open epictexting.app and continue with Google.
- Paste your Account SID and Auth Token and press Connect Twilio.
- Choose your default sender number, and send yourself a test text from the dashboard.
Step 3: Add EpicTexting as a Claude connector
- In Claude, open Customize → Connectors.
- Select + Add, then Add custom connector.
- Name it EpicTexting, paste the server URL from your EpicTexting dashboard, and click Continue.
- For sign-in choose Sign in now. For the OAuth client, choose Register automatically.
- Click Add. An EpicTexting window opens: check the permissions and press Allow.
On a Team or Enterprise plan, an owner adds the connector first under Organization settings → Connectors, then each member connects their own account.
Step 4: Send your first text
In a new chat, press the + button, open Connectors, and make sure EpicTexting is on. Then ask:
Text Maria at +1 646 555 0142 that her 3pm consult is confirmed for tomorrow, and to reply if she needs to move it.
Claude drafts the message and asks permission to use send_sms from EpicTexting, showing the recipient and the text. Choose Allow once to review every send (recommended), and the SMS goes out from your Twilio number.
Prompts that work well
Text these 12 parents that pickup moves to 4pm, use each first name: …
sends up to 50 personalised texts with{name}.Turn this list of tomorrow's appointments into reminder texts and send them.
Claude writes each message and sends after you approve.Did my text to Maria get delivered?
returns the delivery status and the reason if it failed.Who replied to my number today?
lists recent sent and received messages.How many texts do I have left this month?
shows your plan and usage.
EpicTexting vs. the Twilio MCP server
Twilio publishes its own MCP server (in alpha). It's built for developers: it runs on your own computer through Node.js, needs a Twilio API key and secret in a config file, and exposes the entire Twilio API to the model. That's powerful if you're building on Twilio, but a lot of access for “text my clients”.
| EpicTexting connector | Twilio MCP server | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Paste a URL, sign in | Install Node.js, edit a JSON config, add API keys |
| Where it runs | Hosted, works on claude.ai and Claude Desktop | On your computer (desktop apps) |
| What Claude can do | Send SMS, bulk with names, delivery status, recent messages | Almost any Twilio API call |
| Guardrails | Confirm before send, 50-person cap, monthly limit, log | Whatever you configure |
| Cost | Free for 100 texts, then from $4.99/mo | Free (open source) |
Twilio itself advises against running community MCP servers alongside its official one, since each can reach your account. EpicTexting only stores your Account SID and an encrypted Auth Token, can only send and read messages, and you can disconnect it in one click.
What it costs
EpicTexting is free for 100 texts a month. Paid plans are $4.99 (1,000), $7.99 (3,000) and $14.99 (10,000). Twilio bills you directly, about 0.83¢ per US text plus your number. So 1,000 texts come to roughly $13.29 a month all in. Try the pricing calculator for your volume.
Troubleshooting
The connector shows as disconnected
Open Customize → Connectors, select EpicTexting and sign in again. If you revoked access from your EpicTexting dashboard, this is expected.
Claude answers without sending
Check that the connector is switched on for this chat (the + button → Connectors), or say “use EpicTexting to send…”.
Twilio errors 21608 or 30034
21608 means your trial account is texting an unverified number. 30034 means your US number isn't registered for A2P 10DLC yet. Both are fixed in the Twilio console.
Using ChatGPT as well? Here's how to send SMS from ChatGPT with the same account.
Frequently asked questions
Can Claude send text messages?
Not on its own. Claude can send SMS once you add a connector that talks to an SMS provider, such as EpicTexting with your Twilio number.
Does it work on the free Claude plan?
Yes. Custom connectors are available on Free, Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise plans. Free plans are limited to one custom connector.
Does Claude need my Twilio Auth Token?
No. You give your Twilio keys to EpicTexting once. Claude only gets a sign-in token that can use the EpicTexting tools, and you can revoke it any time.
Does it work in Claude Desktop?
Yes. A connector you add on claude.ai is also available in the Claude desktop app on the same account.
Is there an official Twilio MCP server?
Yes, Twilio publishes an alpha MCP server for developers that exposes the whole Twilio API and runs on your computer with API keys. EpicTexting is a hosted, no-code alternative focused on sending texts safely.
Will Claude send texts without asking?
No. Claude asks permission before it uses a tool, and EpicTexting tells it to confirm the recipients and wording with you. Sends are capped at 50 people.