sendblue-sendblue-api

name	sendblue-sendblue-api
description	Send and receive iMessage, SMS, and RCS from application code via the Sendblue HTTP API — text, media, group messages, send styles, reactions, typing indicators, status callbacks, and inbound webhooks.
category	api-integration
risk	critical
source	community
source_type	official
date_added	2026-05-22
author	AnthonyFirth
tags	["sendblue","imessage","sms","rcs","messaging","api","webhooks"]
tools	["claude","cursor","gemini"]
plugin	{"targets":{"codex":"blocked","claude":"blocked"}}

Sendblue API

Overview

Sendblue is a REST API that sends iMessage (blue bubbles), SMS, and RCS from a provisioned phone number. Everything is plain JSON over HTTPS — no SDK is required. The API covers outbound 1:1 and group sends, iMessage effects, reactions, typing indicators, status callbacks, and inbound webhooks.

When to Use This Skill

• Use when writing application code (server, worker, function) that sends Sendblue messages as part of a long-running service.
• Use when receiving inbound messages via webhooks.
• Use when you need features the CLI does not expose: send styles, reactions, group messages, typing indicators, status callbacks, media uploads, or the contacts API beyond basic CRUD.
• Reach for [[sendblue-cli]] instead for shell-context outbound: one-shot scripts, cron jobs, agent hooks, "ping me when X" workflows.

How It Works

Step 1: Authenticate

https://api.sendblue.com

Every request needs two headers:

sb-api-key-id: <YOUR_API_KEY_ID>
sb-api-secret-key: <YOUR_API_SECRET>
Content-Type: application/json

Keep both values server-side — never ship them to a browser or mobile client.

Step 2: Send a message

curl -X POST https://api.sendblue.com/api/send-message \
  -H "sb-api-key-id: $KEY_ID" \
  -H "sb-api-secret-key: $SECRET" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
    "number": "[phone]",
    "from_number": "+1YOUR_SENDBLUE_NUMBER",
    "content": "Hello from the API!"
  }'

Phone numbers must be E.164. from_number must be a line you own — list yours with GET /api/lines.

Step 3: Track delivery

The synchronous response includes a message_handle (Apple GUID — persist this; you need it for reactions and replies) and a status from REGISTERED, PENDING, QUEUED, ACCEPTED, SENT, DELIVERED, DECLINED, ERROR. Only DELIVERED means it landed. Use status_callback instead of polling /api/status.

Step 4: Receive inbound