Generate a WordPress plugin to send SMS notifications via Twilio
SMS cuts through the inbox noise. For appointment reminders, urgent alerts, 2FA or shipping notifications, a text message arrives faster and gets read more reliably than an email. Twilio remains the most common backbone — stable API, decent pricing, global reach.
A custom Twilio plugin sends SMS on the events you care about, with the copy you want, respecting opt-in and opt-out rules. We use the Messaging API with an Account SID + Auth Token (or API Key / Secret, which Twilio recommends for app-level auth), and implement the STOP / HELP handlers that SMS regulations require in most jurisdictions.
Why generate it instead of installing an existing plugin?
There are WordPress plugins that bolt Twilio onto specific use cases (WooCommerce order notifications, WPForms alerts). They cover the common shapes. If your case is different — conditional routing, templates with dynamic parameters, multiple Twilio accounts for different shops on a multisite — you end up configuring around their UI instead of describing your intent.
SMS costs per message. A plugin that knows which messages are critical (charge me) vs nice-to-have (skip if quota exceeded) saves budget. A generic plugin fires every notification as a text message regardless.
Compliance is non-trivial. US carriers enforce STOP/HELP keywords; many EU countries require explicit opt-in with records. A plugin built with compliance in mind keeps you out of trouble.
Example prompt
This is the kind of description that generates this plugin. You can start from it and tweak whatever you need before hitting generate.
Plugin name: Acme SMS Alerts
Credentials: Twilio Account SID + Auth Token (admin paste).
Sender: a specific Twilio phone number or Messaging Service SID.
Triggers (with opt-in required per user, via checkout checkbox + My Account toggle):
1. Order shipped (WC status transition): "Hi {customer_name}, your order #{order_id} is on the way. Track: {tracking_url}"
2. Order delivered: "Your order #{order_id} has been delivered. Thanks for choosing us."
3. Appointment reminder 24h before: "Reminder: your appointment with {provider} on {date} at {time}."
Opt-out: reply STOP. Record the opt-out in user meta + suppression list. Future messages to that number skipped.
HELP reply: auto-respond with contact link.
Budget guard: max EUR 50 per day across all SMS. If exceeded, admin email alert + non-critical messages queued for next day.
Admin: credentials, sender, per-trigger copy (with parameter substitution), budget cap, log of last 100 messages with status.
HPOS-compatible. GDPR-safe consent log.What the generated plugin typically includes
- Twilio Messaging API client via wp_remote_post with Basic auth
- Opt-in UI on checkout + account, consent timestamped
- STOP / HELP webhook handler updating user meta
- Budget cap with daily counter and admin email alert
- Per-trigger toggle + template with token substitution
- Admin log with delivered / failed / unsubscribed statuses
- HPOS-compatible order reads
Works with Vonage, MessageBird, Plivo or any SMS gateway that accepts HTTP POST. Twilio is the default because of its reach and docs.
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep costs under control?
A daily budget cap is enforced in the plugin. When exceeded, non-critical messages queue for the next day and the admin is notified. You also see the per-month cost breakdown in the admin log.
What about GDPR?
Opt-in status is stored per user with a timestamp. STOP replies record an opt-out. The plugin refuses to send to anyone without a valid opt-in on file. Users can download or erase their SMS log history through standard WP GDPR tools if you enable the hooks.
Can I send from multiple numbers?
Yes — via Twilio Messaging Services you get a pool of numbers that Twilio rotates for better delivery. The plugin supports this out of the box.
What about 2FA for WordPress login?
Different use case, same API. If you want SMS-based 2FA, we build that as a separate feature — integration with the login flow, recovery codes, lockout protection.