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

# Update SMS Agent

> Update SMS conversation agent settings including messages, prompts, and drip schedules

## Overview

Update an existing SMS agent's configuration. Modify the agent name, starting message, AI prompt, and automated drip message sequences.

<Note>
  This endpoint is for **SMS agents only**. For voice agents, see [Update Voice Agent](/partner-api/agents/update-voice).
</Note>

***

## Authentication

<ParamField header="X-API-Key" type="string" required>
  Your Teli API key
</ParamField>

***

## Path Parameters

<ParamField path="agent_id" type="string" required>
  The unique identifier of the SMS agent to update
</ParamField>

***

## Request Body

All fields are optional. Only include the fields you want to update.

### Basic Settings

<ParamField body="agent_name" type="string">
  Display name for the agent
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="starting_message" type="string">
  First message sent to leads. Supports variables: `{{first_name}}`, `{{last_name}}`, `{{company}}`
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="prompt" type="string">
  AI behavior instructions defining personality, goals, and conversation guidelines
</ParamField>

### Data Extraction

<ParamField body="extraction_fields" type="array">
  Fields to extract from conversations using AI.

  **Example:** `["credit_score", "loan_amount", "interested", "timeline"]`
</ParamField>

### Drip Schedule

<ParamField body="drip_schedule" type="array">
  Automated follow-up message sequence. Each message is sent after a delay if the lead hasn't responded.
</ParamField>

#### Drip Schedule Object

| Field         | Type   | Description                                             |
| ------------- | ------ | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| `delay_hours` | number | Hours to wait before sending                            |
| `type`        | string | `"ai"` for AI-generated or `"custom"` for fixed message |
| `message`     | string | The follow-up message (required if type is `"custom"`)  |

***

## Request Examples

### Update Basic Settings

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash cURL theme={null}
  curl -X PATCH "https://api.teli.ai/v1/agents/agent_abc123" \
    -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{
      "agent_name": "Updated Sales Agent",
      "starting_message": "Hi {{first_name}}! Ready to learn more about our services?",
      "prompt": "You are a friendly sales representative. Your goal is to qualify leads and schedule demos. Be helpful and not pushy."
    }'
  ```

  ```javascript JavaScript theme={null}
  const response = await fetch('https://api.teli.ai/v1/agents/agent_abc123', {
    method: 'PATCH',
    headers: {
      'X-API-Key': 'YOUR_API_KEY',
      'Content-Type': 'application/json'
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({
      agent_name: 'Updated Sales Agent',
      starting_message: 'Hi {{first_name}}! Ready to learn more?',
      prompt: 'You are a friendly sales representative...'
    })
  });

  const data = await response.json();
  console.log(data);
  ```

  ```python Python theme={null}
  import requests

  response = requests.patch(
      'https://api.teli.ai/v1/agents/agent_abc123',
      headers={
          'X-API-Key': 'YOUR_API_KEY',
          'Content-Type': 'application/json'
      },
      json={
          'agent_name': 'Updated Sales Agent',
          'starting_message': 'Hi {{first_name}}! Ready to learn more?',
          'prompt': 'You are a friendly sales representative...'
      }
  )

  print(response.json())
  ```
</CodeGroup>

***

### Update Extraction Fields

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash cURL theme={null}
  curl -X PATCH "https://api.teli.ai/v1/agents/agent_abc123" \
    -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{
      "extraction_fields": ["credit_score", "loan_amount", "annual_income", "interested", "timeline"]
    }'
  ```

  ```javascript JavaScript theme={null}
  const response = await fetch('https://api.teli.ai/v1/agents/agent_abc123', {
    method: 'PATCH',
    headers: {
      'X-API-Key': 'YOUR_API_KEY',
      'Content-Type': 'application/json'
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({
      extraction_fields: ['credit_score', 'loan_amount', 'annual_income', 'interested', 'timeline']
    })
  });
  ```
</CodeGroup>

***

### Update Drip Schedule

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash cURL theme={null}
  curl -X PATCH "https://api.teli.ai/v1/agents/agent_abc123" \
    -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{
      "drip_schedule": [
        {
          "delay_hours": 4,
          "type": "ai"
        },
        {
          "delay_hours": 24,
          "type": "custom",
          "message": "Hi {{first_name}}, just checking in!"
        },
        {
          "delay_hours": 72,
          "type": "custom",
          "message": "Last follow-up {{first_name}} - let me know if interested!"
        }
      ]
    }'
  ```

  ```json Request Body theme={null}
  {
    "drip_schedule": [
      {"delay_hours": 4, "type": "ai"},
      {"delay_hours": 24, "type": "custom", "message": "Hi {{first_name}}, any questions?"},
      {"delay_hours": 72, "type": "custom", "message": "Final follow-up!"}
    ]
  }
  ```
</CodeGroup>

***

### Disable Drip Messages

Send an empty array to disable automated follow-ups:

```json theme={null}
{
  "drip_schedule": []
}
```

***

## Response

### Success Response

<ResponseExample>
  ```json 200 - Success theme={null}
  {
    "success": true,
    "agent_id": "agent_abc123",
    "message": "Agent updated successfully"
  }
  ```
</ResponseExample>

<ResponseField name="success" type="boolean">
  Indicates successful update
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="agent_id" type="string">
  The updated agent's unique identifier
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="message" type="string">
  Success confirmation message
</ResponseField>

***

### Error Responses

<ResponseExample>
  ```json 404 - Agent Not Found theme={null}
  {
    "success": false,
    "error": "Agent not found"
  }
  ```

  ```json 500 - Update Failed theme={null}
  {
    "success": false,
    "error": "Failed to update agent"
  }
  ```
</ResponseExample>

***

## Dynamic Variables

Personalize messages with lead data:

| Variable           | Description          |
| ------------------ | -------------------- |
| `{{first_name}}`   | Lead's first name    |
| `{{last_name}}`    | Lead's last name     |
| `{{phone_number}}` | Lead's phone number  |
| `{{email}}`        | Lead's email address |
| `{{company}}`      | Lead's company name  |

**Example:**

```json theme={null}
{
  "starting_message": "Hi {{first_name}} from {{company}}! I'd love to chat about your needs."
}
```

***

## Best Practices

<Check>
  **Test first**: Update a test agent before modifying production agents
</Check>

<Check>
  **Use personalization**: Include `{{first_name}}` for better engagement
</Check>

<Check>
  **Keep drips concise**: 2-4 follow-up messages work best
</Check>

<Check>
  **Space out drips**: Give leads time to respond between messages
</Check>

<Check>
  **Clear prompts**: Specific AI instructions produce better conversations
</Check>

***

## Notes

<Warning>
  * **Drip schedule update**: Resets the drip timer for all active leads in campaigns using this agent
  * **Agent type**: Cannot be changed from SMS to Voice
  * **Active campaigns**: Changes take effect for new conversations immediately
</Warning>

***

## Related Endpoints

* [Create SMS Agent](/partner-api/agents/create-sms) - Create a new SMS agent
* [Get Agent](/partner-api/agents/get) - Retrieve agent details
* [List Agents](/partner-api/agents/list) - List all agents
* [Delete Agent](/partner-api/agents/delete) - Delete an agent
* [Get SMS Extraction](/partner-api/sms-extractions/get) - Get extracted data from conversations