# Connecting Channels

_Conversations (Unified Inbox)_

Connect your communication channels so all messages flow into the unified inbox.

## Steps
1. Email: Settings > Communications > Connected Accounts. Use "Connect Google Workspace" (Gmail), the Microsoft row (Outlook), or "Connect other email (SMTP/IMAP)" for any other provider.
2. SMS and WhatsApp: Settings > Communications > SMS & WhatsApp > Connect Twilio. Enter the Account SID, auth token and phone number (with country code) from your own Twilio account, or buy a number there.
3. Social channels: Settings > Integrations > Messaging Channels. Facebook Messenger, Instagram DMs, WhatsApp Business, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube and Threads. Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn connect by OAuth; the rest take API credentials.
4. Direct links if you prefer: /dashboard/settings?tab=communications for email and SMS, /dashboard/settings?tab=integrations for social.

## Tips
- Each channel shows a status indicator — green means connected and syncing.
- Inbound webhooks are set up automatically for most platforms.
- Re-sync from sent folder: Settings → Communications → Connected Accounts → Re-sync (sent folder) on a Gmail/Outlook/IMAP row. Wipes the email sync cursor and pulls inbox + sent from scratch (100 each, deduped). Use this when Contacts is missing people you've emailed — the first-sync sent-folder pass auto-creates contacts from outbound recipients. Existing conversations and messages aren't duplicated.

## Example
On day one, a new agency owner connects Gmail (their primary email), buys a Twilio number for client SMS, and links their Instagram + Facebook business pages. By that evening every inbound message — across 4 channels — lands in the unified inbox with the right contact attached, and replies route back through the original channel automatically.

## Troubleshooting
- **Emails not showing in Conversations** — Email sync isn't connected, the sync hasn't run yet, or emails are being filtered as automated. Fix: Settings > Communications > Connected Accounts. Verify Google or Microsoft is connected with a green status dot. Click Sync Now. If "Filter automated emails" is on, noreply/verification emails are hidden by design.
- **Can't compose or send emails** — No email account connected, or the OAuth token expired. Fix: Settings > Communications > Connected Accounts. If status shows "error" or "disconnected", click Disconnect then reconnect Google or Microsoft.
- **SMS / WhatsApp messages not sending** — Twilio not configured, the contact doesn't have a phone number, or the phone number format is wrong. Fix: Settings > Communications > SMS/WhatsApp. Verify Twilio credentials are set. Ensure the contact's phone number includes the country code (e.g., +1 for US).

## Error messages
- `Email account not connected` — No Google or Microsoft account linked. Connect one in Settings > Communications > Connected Accounts.