> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.pokulabs.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Ask and Wait for a Reply

> Send a message and receive a reply in the HTTP response.

Pass a `waitTime` parameter which tells Poku how long to hold the HTTP request open and wait for a reply. The reply is returned directly in the response so your agent can continue without a webhook.

***

## How it works

<Steps>
  <Step title="Poku sends the message">
    The message is delivered to the recipient via SMS, WhatsApp, or Slack.
  </Step>

  <Step title="The request stays open">
    The HTTP request is held open for `waitTime` seconds, listening for a reply.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Reply or timeout is returned">
    If the recipient replies within the window, the reply is returned in the HTTP response. If no reply is received, Poku returns a timeout message and your agent continues.
  </Step>

  <Step title="followUpTime keeps the channel open">
    After `waitTime` closes, `followUpTime` continues listening for late replies and delivers them to your configured webhook. Read more about [Follow Up Time](/reference/voice-ai-follow-up-time).
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Voice Agent Use cases

**Collect information during a call**

The voice agent texts the customer while on the call, waits for a reply, and reads back the confirmation.

> *Voice Agent: "I've just sent you a text where you can respond with your street address...
> I received your address as 123 Hardtospell St, thanks for texting it in."*

**Share context & check availability before a transfer**

The agent confirms the human is available before initiating a transfer — avoiding dropped handoffs.

> *Voice Agent: "Customer on the line is asking about the status of their car repair, which I don't have the details for. Are you free to take a call right now?"*

***

## Example

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST https://api.pokulabs.com/messages/sms \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer <your-api-key>" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "message": "Can you reply with your email address?",
    "to": "<customer-phone-number>",
    "waitTime": 60
  }'
```

**Reply received:**

```json theme={null}
{ "response": "Human response: johnsmith@gmail.com" }
```

***

## Channel notes

|                                     | SMS                                                                | WhatsApp                                                                                                                                                                                                                       | Slack                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| ----------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Reply method**                    | Standard text reply                                                | Standard WhatsApp reply                                                                                                                                                                                                        | Must reply directly in the Slack thread                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Template when `waitTime` is set** | Free-form                                                          | *"Your AI agent is requesting your input. Message from agent: \{\{message}}. Please review and reply with your guidance. If no response is received within \{\{waitTime}} seconds, the request will be automatically closed."* | Free-form                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| **Requirement**                     | Using your own number requires messaging approval (e.g., A2P10DLC) | Poku WhatsApp or own number with Meta template                                                                                                                                                                                 | Recipient must [join the Poku workspace](https://pokulabs.slack.com/join/shared_invite/zt-334pmqhy9-oZN8cMAXLFUdmDCgNZX9rA#/shared-invite/email) or [install Pokubot](https://slack.com/oauth/v2/authorize?client_id=8696401389877.9342964367269\&scope=channels:history,channels:join,chat:write,chat:write.public,groups:history,im:history,im:write,mpim:write,users:read,mpim:history\&user_scope=) into their own workspace |