Get connected · CallDesk

Overview

CallDesk uses Twilio to receive phone calls. You bring your own Twilio account, so Twilio bills you directly for call usage. CallDesk never touches your phone bill.

What you'll need

A valid email address
A phone number to verify your Twilio account
About 10 minutes

What it costs

Twilio phone number: about $1 per month
Inbound calls: about $0.0085 per minute
CallDesk's AI receptionist: your CallDesk subscription

Step 1: Create your Twilio account

Go to twilio.com/try-twilio
Sign up with your email address. No credit card required for the trial.
Verify your email address.
Verify your personal phone number. Twilio will send you a code via SMS.
Answer the onboarding questions about what you're building.

Your Twilio trial includes $15 in credit and 75 voice minutes. You can test CallDesk without paying anything.

Step 2: Buy a phone number

Log into the Twilio Console at console.twilio.com
In the left sidebar, click "Phone Numbers" then "Buy a number".
Select your country and make sure the "Voice" capability is checked.
Pick a number you like. Click "Buy This Number".

Twilio trial accounts can only receive calls from verified phone numbers. To let your customers call you, you must upgrade your Twilio account. The upgrade takes about 2 minutes and requires a credit card.

If you want to keep your existing business number, don't worry. You'll set up call forwarding in Step 4. The Twilio number is just the entry point.

Step 3: Connect to CallDesk

Come back to CallDesk and go to your Dashboard.
Click "Connect Twilio".
You'll be redirected to Twilio. Log in if asked.
Review the permissions CallDesk is requesting and click "Authorize".
You'll be redirected back to CallDesk. Your Twilio account is now connected.

CallDesk only requests permission to manage phone numbers and route calls. We never see your Twilio password or billing details.

Step 4: Set up call forwarding (optional)

If you want to keep your existing business number and forward calls to CallDesk, follow your phone provider's instructions to enable call forwarding.

Common forwarding codes

What it does	What to dial
Forward all calls	`*72` followed by the Twilio number
Cancel forwarding	`*73`
Forward when busy	`*90` followed by the Twilio number
Forward when unanswered	`*92` followed by the Twilio number

These codes work with most carriers, but check with your provider. Some use different codes or require you to set forwarding through their online dashboard.

Call forwarding may incur charges from your existing phone provider. Check your plan before enabling it.

Alternatively, you can make the Twilio number your primary business number and skip forwarding entirely.

Step 5: Test your CallDesk number

From a phone that is not your verified Twilio number, dial your new Twilio number.
CallDesk should answer within 2 rings.
Have a short conversation. Ask about availability, hours, or whatever your business offers.
Hang up.
Go to your CallDesk dashboard and check "Recent calls". You should see the call with a full transcript.

If you're still on a Twilio trial and you don't hear CallDesk, make sure the phone you're calling from is verified in your Twilio account.

Troubleshooting

Never share your Twilio password or auth token with anyone, including people who claim to be CallDesk support. Connecting through CallDesk never requires it.

"I can't connect my Twilio account"

Make sure you're logged into the correct Twilio account when you click "Connect Twilio". If you have multiple accounts, log out of Twilio first.

"CallDesk doesn't answer my calls"

Check that your Twilio number's voice URL is set correctly. Go to Twilio Console → Phone Numbers → your number → Voice Configuration, and verify it points to the SIP endpoint.

"The caller can't hear CallDesk"

This is usually a Twilio trial restriction. Upgrade your Twilio account to remove the verified-numbers-only limit.

"I want to use my existing number"

Set up call forwarding as described in Step 4. Your existing number stays with your current provider; calls are just forwarded to the Twilio number.

FAQ

Do I have to use Twilio?

Yes, CallDesk currently uses Twilio for phone connectivity. We're working on adding other providers.

Can I use my existing phone number?

Yes. Set up call forwarding from your existing number to the Twilio number you buy.

How much will Twilio charge me?

About $1 per month for the number and $0.0085 per minute for inbound calls. For a business that receives 100 calls per month at 3 minutes each, that's about $3.50 per month.

What happens if I don't upgrade my Twilio account?

Trial accounts can only receive calls from verified numbers. Your customers won't be able to reach you. Upgrade to remove this restriction.

Can I cancel anytime?

Yes. You can release your Twilio number and disconnect CallDesk at any time.