# Outbound Calls Step-by-step instructions on how to set up and test an outbound calling agent. Created: June 5, 2025 Updated: September 16, 2026 ## Overview 1. Go to **AI Phone Agents**. 2. Click the **Add New AI Agent** button. 3. From the **Create New Agent** sheet, choose a template (or **Start from blank**). Create New Agent Modal  4. Open the **Outbound Agent** tab and configure the **Welcome Message** and **Instructions**. New Outbound Agent Form  5. Click **Save**. 6. In the Settings panel, a new **☎️ Telephony** section appears after the first save. Agent Form - Settings  7. Click **Manage** to open **Assign a Phone Number**. 8. Assign a number, set it as the default caller ID, and optionally set **Max Call Time** (see below). ## Assign a Number & Caller ID On the outbound tab of **Assign a Phone Number**, the list shows numbers that can place outbound calls: numbers with a SIP termination (manual SIP trunks), Telnyx numbers, and bring-your-own numbers. If you don't have one yet, see [Phone Numbers](https://docs.vinsi.ai/telephony/phoneNumbers) or [Elastic SIP Trunking](https://docs.vinsi.ai/ai-phone-agents/elastic-sip-trunking). - **Set as default** — each assigned number has a radio labeled "Use this number as the outbound caller ID". Selecting it shows a toast like "{number} set as the test-call caller ID". - With two or more numbers, the section hints: "Choose which number to use as the outbound caller ID for Call Me tests and batch dials". - A single assigned number is used as the default automatically. With none, the section shows "No assigned numbers". - **Max Call Time (Minutes)** — defaults to `0`, meaning no limit. Inbound and outbound have separate values. ## Test with Call Me On the **Outbound Agent** tab, the header shows a **Call Me** button. It is disabled, with the reason shown, when: - The agent has unsaved changes or was never saved ("Save the agent before calling") - The agent has no instructions - Your wallet has no credits - No outbound-capable number is assigned ("Assign a phone number with an outbound SIP trunk configured") 1. Click **Call Me**. 2. Enter a **Phone Number** in E.164 format (e.g. `+18001234567`). A 2–6 digit PBX extension also works. 3. Optionally click **Add variables** to pass Key/Value pairs (or switch to the JSON view). 4. Click **Call Me**. You'll see "Call started successfully..." and your phone will ring. ## How Outbound Calls Start An outbound agent places calls when triggered by: - [Batch Calls](https://docs.vinsi.ai/telephony/batchCall) - **Call Me** in the agent editor - The **Website Widget** "Call me" channel - The public API (`/api/calls/outbound`) Review completed outbound calls in [Call Logs](https://docs.vinsi.ai/telephony/callLogs).