AI Receptionist

What the AI receptionist does

When a client texts your receptionist number ("Can I get a cut Saturday at 2?"), the AI replies within seconds. It checks your real availability, offers open slots, and books the appointment through the same flow as your booking widget, so double-bookings are impossible. Prices and hours come straight from your settings; the AI never invents them.

Find it under AI Receptionist in the sidebar (owners and admins only).

Setup

1. Get a dedicated Twilio phone number for each location you want the receptionist on
2. In the Twilio console, point each number's messaging webhook at the URL shown on the settings page
3. Enter the number, name your agent, and switch the receptionist on

More than one location

Each location gets its own Twilio number. Whichever number a client texts decides which location the AI books into, so it always books in the right place without guessing. On the settings page you'll see a number field per location; fill in the ones you want covered. A location with no number simply isn't reachable by the receptionist.

Capabilities you control

• Create bookings: the AI proposes open slots and books confirmed appointments. The client gets one confirmation in the AI's own text reply (no separate confirmation SMS, so you are not billed twice). If you require booking approval, clients are told the salon will confirm.
• Handle cancellation requests: the AI looks up the client's appointments, confirms which one they mean, and hands the details to your team. Staff always finalize changes to existing appointments.
• Answer questions: hours, services, prices, and location, using only your real data.
• Business hours only: outside your hours, clients get one polite after-hours reply and the thread waits for you.

Texting consent

With Require texting opt-in enabled (recommended for US salons), first-time texters get a one-time "Reply YES" prompt before the AI assists them. STOP always opts a number out immediately and closes the AI conversation. Every first reply includes opt-out instructions.

Handoffs

The conversation goes to your team when the client asks for a person, the AI hits your reply limit, or it cannot help. You get a notification, the thread is marked Needs you in the conversation log, and you reply from your business number. You can mark threads resolved or reopen them from the log.

Costs and limits

Replies are regular SMS messages, so your SMS daily limit and monthly budget settings apply. A typical conversation is 4 to 8 messages. Conversations idle for 24 hours close automatically.

Phone calls

Calls to the receptionist number currently get a short message asking the caller to text instead, and your team is notified about the missed call. Voice AI is on the roadmap.