> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.shortcutco.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.shortcutco.com/readme/dispatch/messaging-from-dispatch.md).

# Messaging from Dispatch (SMS + email)

You can send batch notifications to customers directly from the Dispatch page. [Open Dispatch →](https://shortcutco.com/dispatch)

## When to use this

* You want to notify customers about tomorrow's service
* Weather or schedule changes require a heads-up
* You need to send a quick update to all customers on a team's list

## What Dispatch messaging does

* Send **SMS** and/or **email** to customers for selected jobs
* **Preflight validation** checks for missing contact info before sending
* **Message deduplication** prevents sending the same message twice to the same customer
* **Quiet hours compliance** warns if you're about to send between 8 PM and 8 AM (your company timezone)

## How to send messages

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Open Dispatch

Go to [Dispatch →](https://shortcutco.com/dispatch) and select the date.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Select jobs or team

Choose the jobs (or entire team) you want to message.

<figure><img src="/files/mTPfXv3FcxKE0hONVCuY" alt="Dispatch bulk action toolbar after selecting jobs"><figcaption><p>Select jobs to reveal the Send update action.</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Choose message type

Select SMS, email, or both.

<figure><img src="/files/gnXUoHnqoK1qJYSUxXte" alt="Dispatch customer update window with SMS and email choices"><figcaption><p>Review recipients and channels before sending a customer update.</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Review and confirm

Dispatch runs preflight checks (missing phone/email, duplicates, quiet hours). Review the summary and confirm to send.

<figure><img src="/files/kkiO2NGlSbKfEif3Q3AG" alt="Dispatch update window with message text entered"><figcaption><p>Confirm the message content before sending any customer notification.</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Delivery confirmation

Dispatch supports multiple confirmation modes:

* **No confirmation** — messages send immediately
* **Basic confirm** — one-click confirmation
* **Typed confirmation** — type "SEND" to confirm (for batches over 50 recipients)

{% hint style="warning" %}
If a customer is missing an email or phone number, the preflight check will flag them. You can still send to the rest of the batch.
{% endhint %}

## Related pages

* [Dispatch overview](/readme/dispatch.md)
* [Automations](/readme/automations.md) (for automated messages vs manual dispatch messaging)

<details>

<summary>Still stuck?</summary>

Email **<hello@shortcutco.com>** with the date + what message you were trying to send + a screenshot.

</details>