Choose a project type
Compare Chatbot, USSD, Voice (IVR), Automation and SMS projects by channel, typical use, nodes and how people reach them.
Every project has one type, chosen in the Channel field when you create it. The type decides which nodes are in the Nodes Library, which simulator you test with, and how people reach the published project.
SMS projects are coming soon
SMS appears in the create form as SMS - coming soon and cannot be selected yet. You can already send SMS from Chatbot, USSD and Automation projects with the Messaging node.
At a glance
| Chatbot | USSD | Voice (IVR) | Automation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Channels | WhatsApp, web chat, Telegram, Messenger, Instagram, Slack | USSD short codes through your USSD provider | Phone numbers from your voice carrier | Webhooks, hosted forms, schedules, the public API |
| Typical use | Customer support, FAQs from your documents, bookings, lead capture, handoff to agents | Balance checks, payments, registrations and menus for any mobile phone, without data | Call routing menus, call-back and reminder calls, AI phone agents, transfers to people | Syncing systems, alerts, form processing, scheduled jobs, approvals |
| How users reach it | Message the connected account, or open the chat widget on your website | Dial the short code, such as *789# | Call the number, or receive a call the project places | Something calls the URL, submits the form or the schedule fires |
| Starts at | Trigger node | The first Menu node | Incoming Call or Outbound Call node | Trigger or Form Trigger node |
| Nodes only in this type | Reply, Live Chat | Menu | Play Message, Menu (voice), Collect Input, Queue, Transfer, Warm Transfer, Record, Verify Caller, End Call, AI Voice Agent | Form Trigger, Loop, Parallel |
| AI | AI Agent | AI Agent | AI Agent, AI Voice Agent | AI Agent |
| Test with | Chat simulator | Phone emulator | Call simulator | Run panel |
| Setup guide | Chatbot | USSD | Voice (IVR) | Automation |
Logic and data nodes such as Router, Set Fields, Function, API, Data Store and Contact work in every project type. See the Node reference for every node and the project types it supports, or filter by type:
Triggers
TriggerStarts a chatbot flow when a message arrives on a connected channel, or when an external event is sent to the API.Form TriggerPublishes a hosted web form and starts the workflow each time someone submits it.Incoming CallWhere every inbound call to this project starts. Plays an optional greeting before the flow continues.Outbound CallWhere a call this project places begins, such as when an agent uses Call and speak it from the Inbox.
Conversation
MenuDisplays a list of options on a USSD screen and waits for the user to choose one.ReplySends text, images, buttons, quick replies or a WhatsApp template to the user.FormCollects several typed values as one unit, with validation, retries, confirmation and cancellation, on every channel.IntentRecognises what the user wants from sample utterances and extracts slots into structured data.Live ChatHands the conversation to a person on your team through the Inbox, with a fallback message when nobody is available.MessagingSends an SMS through Twilio, Africa’s Talking or Infobip.
Voice
Play MessageSpeaks a message to the caller, or plays uploaded audio or an audio URL, then continues.Menu (voice)Plays a menu and branches on the key the caller presses, with paths for an unrecognised key and for no input.Collect InputAsks the caller for digits or speech and stores the answer in a variable.QueueHolds the caller until someone on your team is free, telling them where they stand while they wait.TransferConnects the caller to a phone number, a SIP endpoint or an available agent, with a fallback path when nobody answers.Warm TransferCalls the agent first and tells them who is waiting. They press a key to accept, or the caller returns to the flow.RecordRecords the caller, as voicemail that ends the call or as a recording the flow continues past.Verify CallerTexts a one-time code to the caller and marks the call verified when they key it in. Protected AI tools require this.End CallEnds the call, optionally after a farewell message.
AI
Logic
RouterSends the flow down one of several paths based on conditions you define.Set FieldsSets or transforms state variables by assigning expressions to named fields.FilterContinues only when a condition is true, and stops the run quietly otherwise.FunctionRuns your own JavaScript and passes its return value to the next node.LoopRepeats the nodes on its body handle once for each item in a list.ParallelRuns several branches at the same time, then continues once all of them finish.WaitPauses the workflow for a fixed duration before continuing.ApprovalPauses the workflow until a person approves or rejects it.Date & TimeGets the current time, formats and parses dates, adds or subtracts durations and computes differences.ErrorShows the user a message when their input is invalid, then lets them try again.
Data
Data StoreCreates, reads, updates and deletes records in one of your data stores.Remove DuplicatesRemoves duplicate items from a list in state, optionally comparing one field.ContactCreates or updates contacts, adds them to groups and sets custom properties from flow state.ResolveMarks the conversation’s underlying report as resolved, for loop-closure reporting.
Integrations
APICalls any HTTP endpoint and passes the response to the next node.IntegrationRuns an action in a connected service such as Salesforce, HubSpot, Google Sheets or Slack, without AI.Collect PaymentRequests a payment by mobile money prompt or card checkout link, on USSD, chat or a call.Respond WebhookReturns a custom HTTP status, headers and body to whoever called your webhook or trigger.
Which one should I pick?
Can I change the type later?
Settings › General shows a Project Type field, but nodes are specific to their project type, so a flow built for one type does not carry over to another. Create a new project of the type you need instead.
Next steps
Last reviewed 25 September 2026