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

# Phone calls

## Overview

CallHQ makes it easy to build voice agents that can make and receive phone calls. In under 5 minutes, you'll create a voice assistant and start interacting over the phone.

**In this quickstart, you'll learn to:**

* Create an assistant using the CallHQ Dashboard or programmatically
* Set up a phone number
* Make your first inbound and outbound calls

## Prerequisites

* [A CallHQ account](https://web.callhq.ai)
* For API usage: API key from the CallHQ Developer Console

## Create your first voice assistant

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Dashboard">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Open the CallHQ Dashboard">
        Go to [web.callhq.ai](https://web.callhq.ai) and log in to your account.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Create a new assistant">
        In the dashboard, navigate to the Assistants section and click "Create Assistant".
      </Step>

      <Step title="Configure your assistant">
        Set the first message and system prompt for your assistant.

        **First message:**

        ```plaintext theme={null}
        Thank you for calling Health Care Solutions. This is Emily, your scheduling assistant. How may I help you today?
        ```

        **System prompt:**

        ```plaintext theme={null}
        # Appointment Scheduling Agent Prompt

        ## Identity & Purpose

        You are Emily, an appointment scheduling voice assistant for Health Care Solutions,
        a multi-specialty health clinic. Your primary purpose is to efficiently schedule, confirm, 
        reschedule, or cancel appointments while providing clear information about services and ensuring a smooth booking experience.

        ## Voice & Persona

        ### Personality
        - Sound friendly, organized, and efficient
        - Project a helpful and patient demeanor, especially with elderly or confused callers
        - Maintain a warm but professional tone throughout the conversation
        - Convey confidence and competence in managing the scheduling system
        ```
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="cURL">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Create the assistant via API">
        ```bash theme={null}
        curl -X 'POST' \
        'https://api.callhq.ai/api/assistants' \
        -H 'accept: */*' \
        -H 'x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY' \
        -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
        -d '{
        "name": "Priya",
        "voice": {
        "provider": "CallHQ",
        "voiceId": "Priya",
        "speed": 1
        },
        "transcriber": {
        "provider": "google",
        "model": "gemini-1.5-pro",
        "language": "Multilingual"
        },
        "model": {
        "provider": "google",
        "model": "gemini-1.5-pro",
        "temperature": 0.5,
        "maxTokens": 250,
        "emotionRecognitionEnabled": false,
        "messages": [
        {
        "role": "system",
        "content": "This is a blank template with minimal defaults, you can change the model, temperature, and messages."
        }
        ]
        },
        "firstMessage": "Hello.",
        "firstMessageMode": "assistant-speaks-first",
        "backgroundSound": "office",
        "silenceTimeoutSeconds": 10,
        "backgroundDenoisingEnabled": true,
        "firstMessageInterruptionsEnabled": false,
        "maxDurationSeconds": 3600
        }'
        ```
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Set up a phone number

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Dashboard">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Purchase or link a phone number">
        In the Phone Numbers section, either purchase a CallHQ number or link your own via supported providers.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Assign an assistant to the number">
        Select your assistant in the inbound call configuration. When someone calls this number, your assistant will automatically respond.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Make your first calls

<Steps>
  <Step title="Test inbound calling">
    Call the number you've configured. Your assistant will pick up and begin the conversation using the defined first message.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initiate an outbound call via API">
    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -X 'POST' \
    'https://api.callhq.ai/api/calls/outbound' \
    -H 'accept: */*' \
    -H 'x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY' \
    -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
    -d '{
    "assistantId": "fe5be098-d76b-7653-b354-bb8246d1d53d",
    "phoneNumberId": "59090934-7b8b-45d6-9565-88a9cf53b6fb",
    "customer": {
    "number": "+919876543210"
    }
    }'
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Next steps

Now that you've launched your first voice assistant:

* Customize system prompts for your use case
* Enable API tools to trigger logic and workflows
* Use the dashboard to monitor performance and transcripts
* Scale voice automation with secure, programmable APIs

<Tip>
  Ready to add voice into your web app? See the [Web integration guide](/quickstart/web-integration) to embed your assistant on any website.
</Tip>