> ## 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.

# Channel Cards

> Store recipient info and message templates once — then route with a single channel ID.

A channel card stores a pre-configured messaging route: who to send to, how long to wait, and exactly how to phrase the message and response. Once set up, your agent only needs to populate a message, the rest is handled.

***

## Create a channel card

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Channels page">
    Log in to the Poku dashboard and go to [Channels](https://dashboard.pokulabs.com/channels).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select a channel">
    Choose the channel your agent will use to loop in a human.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/pokulabs-b271f9f5/np4TQgYBhDVOFtgW/images/channel-selection.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=np4TQgYBhDVOFtgW&q=85&s=1d14030b414502cc80b0a906fd366f93" alt="Select a channel in the Poku dashboard" width="1960" height="128" data-path="images/channel-selection.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fill out the channel details">
    The required fields depend on the channel type:

    | Channel      | Required fields                       |
    | ------------ | ------------------------------------- |
    | **SMS**      | Recipient phone number, wait time     |
    | **WhatsApp** | Recipient phone number, wait time     |
    | **Slack**    | Slack member or channel ID, wait time |
    | **Call**     | Recipient phone number                |
  </Step>

  <Step title="Hit Create">
    This saves the channel card and generates a unique **channel ID**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Use your channel card

Pass the channel ID in any Poku API request. No need to include `to`, `waitTime` — those are stored on the card.

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST https://api.pokulabs.com/messages/<channel-id> \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer <your-poku-api-key>" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "message": "Customer John is asking about the status of his car. When is it ready for pick-up?"
  }'
```

Find your channel ID on the channel card in the dashboard:

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/pokulabs-b271f9f5/np4TQgYBhDVOFtgW/images/channel-id.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=np4TQgYBhDVOFtgW&q=85&s=e8271a7b6eda832f6821f4770656025e" alt="Channel ID on the Poku dashboard" width="323" height="322" data-path="images/channel-id.png" />
</Frame>

***

## Advanced options

**Reply link** — SMS, WhatsApp, and Slack channels can include a reply link. Instead of replying via SMS or WhatsApp, the recipient clicks a link that takes them to the Poku dashboard to respond.

**Follow-up time** — How long Poku keeps listening after `waitTime` closes. Late replies are delivered to your configured webhook. See [Follow Up Time](/reference/voice-ai-follow-up-time).

**Outgoing message template** — Wrap your agent's message in fixed context before it's sent to the recipient.

**Message templates**

Templates let you add context around the message your agent sends — without changing the agent's prompt.

Example outgoing template:

```
Request from ABC Store: {{message}}. Please respond within {{waitTime}} seconds.
```

When your agent sends `"We need your delivery address to proceed."`, the recipient sees:

> *"Request from ABC Store: We need your delivery address to proceed. Please respond within 30 seconds."*

**Response and no-response templates**

By default:

* **Response:** `Human response: {{message}}`
* **No response:** `Human did not respond. Continue where you left off.`

These are what your agent reads in the HTTP response. You can customize them to trigger specific agent behaviors.

**Example:**

```
Human did not respond. Let the customer know no one is available for a transfer right now and offer to schedule a callback.
```

This lets you encode routing logic directly into the channel card — your agent acts on the no-response message without needing extra prompt instructions.

***

## What a channel card stores

| Field                         | Description                                                |
| ----------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| `to`                          | The recipient — phone number, Slack ID, or WhatsApp number |
| `waitTime`                    | Seconds to hold the request open for a reply               |
| `followUpTime`                | Seconds to keep listening after `waitTime` closes          |
| **Outgoing message template** | Wraps your `{{message}}` in custom context                 |
| **Response template**         | How a reply is formatted back to your agent                |
| **No-response template**      | What your agent receives if no reply comes in              |