---
title: Workflow Steps: SMS
slug: workflow-steps-sms
createdAt: 2026-09-11T08:15:24.991Z
---

A Short Message Service (SMS) step in Ashby People Workflows sends an automated text message to a specified recipient at a defined point in your workflow, so you can reach people on mobile without manual outreach.

This article covers how to add and configure an SMS step. For guidance on setting the step's delay, filter, and dependencies, see [Configure your Workflow Steps](docId:58jSO5IfDvlsM2Ld-Bb7p).

:::hint{type="warning"}
Ashby's **People Ops** module is currently available through restricted early access. The following documentation is provided for design partners participating in that program.
:::

# Permissions and access

To add an SMS step, you need view and edit access to the workflow. Your permission set grants this access to either all workflows or specific workflows.

To send SMS, Candidate Texting must be configured in **Ashby Recruiting**. See [Candidate Texting Onboarding](docId\:LrSCwWBh0I1RwPuqxdQrN) for more information.

:::hint{type="info"}
Learn more about Ashby's **People Ops** permission sets: [Configure Permission Sets](docId:7apvU1qei2QWWO4SL6UOI).
:::

# Adding an SMS step

Navigate to Ashby's **People Ops** module and complete the following steps:

1. Open the workflow, select `Edit Workflow Template`, then select `Add Step` in the appropriate section.
2. Select `SMS` from the step type dropdown.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/0p8tQ--ZZOxRtkVp6Qr-e/JU76Rx9s-XHyCpzDJhiPL_screenshot2026-08-12at54433pm.png" size="100" alt="Screenshot of the Add Step panel in the People Ops workflow editor." isUploading="false" width="476" height="1280" darkWidth="476" darkHeight="1280" showCaption="false" indent="1"}

3. Configure the recipient and write the message body as described below.
4. Set the step's delay, filter, and dependencies. See [Configure your Workflow Steps](docId:58jSO5IfDvlsM2Ld-Bb7p) for details.
5. Publish your changes. See [Publishing Workflow Updates](docId:2FhDHLP6NBxYng5UXlpSE) for details.

# Configuring the SMS step

## Sender

Ashby sends every text message from your organization's phone number, configured in [Ashby Recruiting](https://app.ashbyhq.com/admin/organizational-settings/candidate-texting/sms), regardless of which sender you select on the step. The sender you select doesn't change the number the recipient sees.

Selecting a sender does control sender tokens. Any token referencing the sender resolves to the user you select, so a message that opens with `{{Sender First Name}}` reads as though it came from that person even though it arrives from the shared organization number.

![Screenshot of the SMS step configuration panel.](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/0p8tQ--ZZOxRtkVp6Qr-e/_1m-9VQ9g7Dzy3Sw3zXJg_screenshot2026-08-17at81905pm.png)

## Message body

An SMS step has a message body only; text messages don't have a subject line. Write the body using your organization's tokens to personalize the message, for example, pulling in the workflow enrollee's name or answers from an earlier survey step.

### Add substitution tokens

Substitution tokens allow you to pull information about the workflow enrollee into the texts you send out from Ashby. To add substitution tokens, click the `T` icon in the toolbar under the body of the SMS. From here, you can search for the specific token you need.

![Screenshot of the substitution token selector in the SMS message body toolbar.](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/0p8tQ--ZZOxRtkVp6Qr-e/bOnfVi6bm78vkPTljGed7_screenshot2026-08-12at72712pm.png)

# When to use SMS

Choose SMS for assignees or new hires who:

- Don't have access to a work computer and use a mobile as their work device.
- Are unlikely to check email or Slack promptly
- Need time-sensitive reminders while away from a desk. 

Because SMS messages are short, keep the task or survey's title and instructions concise; the recipient still completes the underlying task or survey inside Ashby.

# FAQs

### Do People Ops texts use the same texting credits as candidate texting?

Yes. Text messages sent from workflow steps draw from your organization's shared pool of texting credits. If your organization runs out of credits, SMS steps fail to send, so monitor your balance in **Admin >** [Billing](https://app.ashbyhq.com/admin/billing) and purchase additional credits before you run low.

### Do employees need to consent before receiving texts?

No. Employee texting in **Ashby People Ops** doesn't require a consent request, which differs from candidate texting in **Recruiting**.

### Does the recipient need a mobile number in a specific field for SMS to work?

Yes. The recipient needs a valid phone number on their profile in Ashby. If the number is missing or invalid, the SMS notification will fail to send.