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Skill

twilio-content-template-builder

create and manage Twilio message templates

Published by OpenAI Updated Jun 30
Covers Templates Messaging Communications Twilio

Description

Create, manage, and send message templates using Twilio's Content API. Covers template creation for WhatsApp, SMS, RCS, and MMS; variable usage; WhatsApp Meta approval; and sending templates via ContentSid. Use this skill when building structured messages that require pre-approval or consistent formatting across channels.

SKILL.md

Overview

The Content API creates channel-agnostic templates identified by a ContentSid (HX...). WhatsApp templates must be approved by Meta before use outside the 24-hour service window.


Prerequisites

  • Twilio account — New to Twilio? See twilio-account-setup
  • For WhatsApp templates: active WhatsApp sender — See twilio-whatsapp-send-message (sandbox) or twilio-whatsapp-manage-senders (production)
  • Environment variables:
    • TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID
    • TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN — See twilio-iam-auth-setup for credential setup and best practices
  • SDK: pip install twilio / npm install twilio

Quickstart

Step 1 — Create a template via Console (simplest)

Console > Messaging > Content Template Builder > Create new. Use {{1}}, {{2}} for variables. Save to get a ContentSid.

Step 2 — Send the template

Python

import os
from twilio.rest import Client

client = Client(os.environ["TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID"], os.environ["TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN"])

message = client.messages.create(
    from_="whatsapp:+14155238886",
    to="whatsapp:+15558675310",
    content_sid="HXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx",
    content_variables='{"1": "Sarah", "2": "March 28", "3": "10:00 AM"}'
)
print(message.sid)

Node.js

const twilio = require("twilio");
const client = twilio(process.env.TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID, process.env.TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN);

const message = await client.messages.create({
    from: "whatsapp:+14155238886",
    to: "whatsapp:+15558675310",
    contentSid: "HXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx",
    contentVariables: JSON.stringify({ "1": "Sarah", "2": "March 28", "3": "10:00 AM" }),
});

Key Patterns

Create a Template via API

Python

template = client.content.v1.contents.create(
    friendly_name="appointment-reminder",
    language="en",
    types={
        "twilio/text": {
            "body": "Hi {{1}}, your appointment is on {{2}} at {{3}}. Reply YES to confirm."
        }
    }
)
print(template.sid)  # HXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Node.js

const template = await client.content.v1.contents.create({
    friendlyName: "appointment-reminder",
    language: "en",
    types: {
        "twilio/text": {
            body: "Hi {{1}}, your appointment is on {{2}} at {{3}}. Reply YES to confirm.",
        },
    },
});
console.log(template.sid);

Submit for WhatsApp Approval

Python

approval = client.content.v1 \
    .contents(template.sid) \
    .approval_requests \
    .create(name="appointment-reminder", category="UTILITY")
print(approval.status)  # PENDING

Node.js

const approval = await client.content.v1
    .contents(templateSid)
    .approvalRequests.create({ name: "appointment-reminder", category: "UTILITY" });
console.log(approval.status);

Categories: UTILITY, MARKETING, AUTHENTICATION

Check Approval Status

Python

content = client.content.v1.contents(template.sid).fetch()
print(content.approval_requests.status)  # APPROVED | REJECTED | PENDING

Node.js

const content = await client.content.v1.contents(templateSid).fetch();
console.log(content.approvalRequests.status);

Approval typically takes under 1 hour.

List and Delete Templates

Python

for template in client.content.v1.contents.list():
    print(template.sid, template.friendly_name, template.language)

client.content.v1.contents("HXxxxxxxxxxx").delete()

Node.js

const templates = await client.content.v1.contents.list();
templates.forEach(t => console.log(t.sid, t.friendlyName, t.language));

await client.content.v1.contents("HXxxxxxxxxxx").remove();

Supported Content Types

Typetypes keyChannels
Plain texttwilio/textAll
Media (image, video)twilio/mediaWhatsApp, MMS, RCS
Quick reply buttonstwilio/quick-replyWhatsApp, RCS
Call-to-action buttonstwilio/call-to-actionWhatsApp, RCS
List pickertwilio/list-pickerWhatsApp
Cardtwilio/cardRCS
Carouseltwilio/carouselRCS

RCS Fallback Text

When sending a rich RCS template (card, carousel, quick reply) via a Messaging Service with SMS fallback configured, Twilio uses the template's twilio/text body as the SMS fallback copy. Any template intended for RCS should include a twilio/text entry so recipients on non-RCS devices still receive a readable message.


Variable Rules

  • Use {{1}}, {{2}} — sequential, no skipping
  • Max 100 variables per template
  • Provide sample values for WhatsApp submissions
  • Non-variable to variable ratio must be at least (2x + 1) : x

CANNOT

  • Cannot use WhatsApp templates without Meta approval — Plan for up to 24 hours review time
  • Cannot resubmit a rejected template with the same name — Use a different name for resubmission
  • Cannot include custom variables in AUTHENTICATION templates — Fixed format required by Meta

Next Steps

  • Channel overview and onboarding guide: twilio-messaging-overview
  • Send WhatsApp messages: twilio-whatsapp-send-message
  • Register a production WhatsApp sender: twilio-whatsapp-manage-senders

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