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

# Auto-Dialer

> Automated contact outreach system

The telli Auto-Dialer is a feature designed to make contact outreach efficient. It automatically schedules calls until either the contact is reached or gives up after a certain period.

## Call Loop

When a contact enters a "call loop," the system attempts to reach them repeatedly until one of two conditions is met:

1. The contact answers and has a conversation
2. The maximum number of attempts or days is reached

You can check a contact's next scheduled call via:

* The web app interface
* The [/get-contact](/v1/endpoint/get-contact) API endpoint

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/telli/_EaEeb6hZUZwFjTf/images/next_schedule.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_EaEeb6hZUZwFjTf&q=85&s=36c96a41702c8fb057caa400d54ba30e" alt="Next Schedule" width="3442" height="1720" data-path="images/next_schedule.png" />

## Calling Strategies

The auto-dialer offers two strategies for scheduling call retries:

### 1. Smart Calling (Recommended)

Smart calling automatically adjusts call frequency over time. It starts with frequent attempts and gradually reduces to avoid overwhelming contacts.

#### Intensity Modes

Choose how aggressively the system should retry contacts:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Aggressive">
    Best for: **Time-sensitive campaigns, hot leads**

    | Period    | Call frequency  |
    | --------- | --------------- |
    | Day 1     | Up to 3 calls   |
    | Days 2-10 | 2 calls per day |
    | Day 11+   | 1 call per day  |
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Moderate (Default)">
    Best for: **General outreach**

    | Period    | Call frequency  |
    | --------- | --------------- |
    | Day 1     | Up to 3 calls   |
    | Days 2-4  | 2 calls per day |
    | Days 5-10 | 1 call per day  |
    | Day 11+   | 1 call per week |
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Conservative">
    Best for: **Follow-ups, nurture campaigns**

    | Period   | Call frequency  |
    | -------- | --------------- |
    | Day 1    | Up to 2 calls   |
    | Days 2-4 | 1 call per day  |
    | Day 5+   | 1 call per week |
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

All calls respect your configured [Dialer Windows](#dialer-windows) and enabled weekdays.

<Note>Days are calendar days from the first call attempt.</Note>

### 2. Defined Intervals

This strategy allows manual definition of retry intervals after unsuccessful calls.

Let's look at an example. Suppose we have the following intervals set:

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/telli/_EaEeb6hZUZwFjTf/images/intervals.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_EaEeb6hZUZwFjTf&q=85&s=6e774d4f77f6eb17eed33bb8a9c964f0" alt="Defined Intervals" width="2544" height="966" data-path="images/intervals.png" />

After the first call, we wait for 20min and then call again. After the second call we wait for 1h, after third 2h and 30min etc.

If a scheduled time falls outside the [Dialer Window](#dialer-windows), the call will be scheduled for the next available time.

## Dialer Windows

Dialer windows define permitted calling hours to ensure contacts are only called during appropriate times.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/telli/_EaEeb6hZUZwFjTf/images/dialer_windows.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_EaEeb6hZUZwFjTf&q=85&s=799e14a813394c4d26b93f26ddf4725b" alt="Dialer Windows" width="2390" height="1646" data-path="images/dialer_windows.png" />

### Timezone Handling

Dialer windows are always interpreted in the contact's timezone when one is set. If no timezone is specified for a contact, the system defaults to using your account's timezone shown above the dialer windows.

For contacts with specified timezones, here's how it works:

* If your dialer window is set to 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
* And you have a contact in Los Angeles (PST) and another in New York (EST)
* The Los Angeles contact will be called between 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM PST
* The New York contact will be called between 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST

This ensures calls are made at appropriate local times for each contact, regardless of your account's timezone setting.

<Note>Manual calls triggered via [/initiate-call](/v1/endpoint/initiate-call) or the web app bypass dialer window restrictions.</Note>

## Frequently Asked Questions

### When is a contact marked as reached?

A contact is considered reached when they answer and have a conversation. Voicemails, unanswered calls, or connection issues trigger retry attempts.

### What happens with calling errors?

After two consecutive errors, the call loop ends automatically, regardless of remaining attempts.

### How do manual calls affect the call loop?

Manual calls are executed immediately. If unsuccessful, the next call follows the defined strategy.

### What happens when dialer intervals change?

The system dynamically adjusts schedules while maintaining dialer window compliance.

### How are reached contacts handled?

Manually calling a previously reached contact restarts their call loop.

### How do maximum attempt changes work?

Changes take immediate effect for active call loops but don't affect completed ones.

### What happens when disabling/re-enabling the auto-dialer?

When re-enabled, past-due calls trigger immediately. To prevent this:

1. Use `/v1/remove-from-auto-dialer` for specific contacts
2. Adjust maximum intervals to auto-remove contacts