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

# Channels Overview

> Connect your AI agent to customers through live chat, WhatsApp, and SMS

You've created, trained, and tested your AI agent. Now it's time to connect it with your customers.

**Channels** are the communication pathways between your AI agent and your customers. Each channel lets customers reach your AI agent through a different platform.

## Available Channels

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Live Chat" icon="comments" href="/channels/live-chat">
    Embed a chat widget directly on your website for instant customer support.
  </Card>

  <Card title="WhatsApp" icon="whatsapp" href="/channels/whatsapp">
    Connect via Twilio to support customers on WhatsApp.
  </Card>

  <Card title="SMS" icon="message-sms" href="/channels/sms">
    Connect via Twilio to handle customer inquiries over text message.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## How Channels Work

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
    A[Customer] -->|sends message| B[Channel]
    B -->|routes to| C[AI Agent]
    C -->|responds via| B
    B -->|delivers to| A
```

1. A customer sends a message through a channel (e.g., your website chat widget)
2. The channel routes the message to your AI agent
3. Your AI agent processes the message and generates a response
4. The response is delivered back to the customer through the same channel

## Choosing a Channel

| Channel       | Best For                                      | Setup Complexity          |
| ------------- | --------------------------------------------- | ------------------------- |
| **Live Chat** | Website visitors, e-commerce                  | Simple—add a code snippet |
| **WhatsApp**  | International customers, mobile-first users   | Requires Twilio account   |
| **SMS**       | Transactional updates, customers without apps | Requires Twilio account   |

<Tip>
  Start with **Live Chat** to get your AI agent in front of customers quickly. Add WhatsApp or SMS later to expand your reach.
</Tip>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Set Up Live Chat" icon="arrow-right" href="/channels/live-chat">
    Add a chat widget to your website in minutes.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Configure WhatsApp" icon="arrow-right" href="/channels/whatsapp">
    Connect your Twilio account for WhatsApp messaging.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>