# Inkbox

Reach a bot by iMessage, text message, email or phone call, from any phone, without opening Machine. What Inkbox does, what it costs, and how it fits with Machine Desktop.

Canonical page: https://themachine.myapps.ai/docs/desktop/inkbox

**Inkbox** gives a bot its own iMessage handle and email address, and, if you
want, a phone number. You (and the people you allow) can then text it, email
it, or call it like a person. The bot does the work on its computer and
answers the same way it was asked.

| You | The bot |
|---|---|
| Text it on **iMessage**: *"Is the site still up?"* | Checks, and texts back. |
| Send it an **SMS** from any phone (needs a number of the bot's own) | Answers by SMS. |
| **Email** it a question or a file | Replies in the same email thread. |
| **Call** it | A voice assistant answers live. When you hang up, the bot does what you asked and follows up. |
| Ask it in Machine to **call someone for you** | It phones them, then tells you how it went. |

It's the easiest way to use a bot when you're away from your computer and
don't want to open an app.

You **don't need a phone number**. iMessage and voice calls work through
Inkbox's shared iMessage line, and email through the bot's Inkbox mailbox, all
on Inkbox's free plan. A number of the
bot's own is optional: it adds SMS from any phone (Android too) and calls to
and from any phone, such as a business.

## How it works

1. You bring your own **[Inkbox](https://inkbox.ai) account**. Inkbox owns the
   phone line and the mailbox; Machine owns the bot.
2. You connect Inkbox to a bot **once**, on the Machine web app. You choose
   exactly which phone numbers and email addresses may reach the bot.
3. Each text conversation, email thread and call becomes a **thread** in that
   bot. You can read along, or carry on, in Machine Desktop.

> **Connecting happens on the web**
> Machine Desktop shows whether Inkbox is connected and can disconnect it, but
> the setup itself (your Inkbox key and who's allowed to reach the bot) is done
> on the Machine web app. Machine Desktop opens the right page for you. See
> [Set up Inkbox](/docs/desktop/inkbox/set-up).

## Inkbox in Machine Desktop

In the bot's settings, **Channels** shows Inkbox next to Slack and Glyph:

![The Inkbox row in a bot's Channels settings, connected](/images/docs/desktop/inkbox-connected.webp)

When it's connected, the row shows the bot's Inkbox **@handle**, **email
address** and, if it has one, **phone number**, so you always know how to
reach it.

Machine Desktop also has two shortcuts that use Inkbox:

- **`/call`** in the message box asks the bot to phone a business for you.
- **"+ text me"** on a goal in Responsibilities texts you when something
  needs you.

See [Inkbox from Machine Desktop](/docs/desktop/inkbox/from-machine-desktop).

## What it costs

- **Inkbox:** messages, numbers and call minutes are on your Inkbox plan.
  iMessage, calls and email work on Inkbox's free plan.
- **Machine:** the work the bot does for each text, email or call uses your
  Machine credits, the same as a message typed in the app.

## Is Inkbox right for me?

| You want to… | Use |
|---|---|
| Reach a bot from your phone without installing anything | **Inkbox** |
| Have customers or teammates text or email a bot | **Inkbox**, with them on the allow-list |
| Have a bot phone a business for you | **Inkbox** (`/call`), with a number of the bot's own |
| Talk to a bot in real time from the app | [Live calls](/docs/desktop/live) |
| Use the full app on your phone | [Machine Mobile](/docs/desktop/mobile) |
| Talk to a bot from your team's Slack | [Slack](/docs/desktop/integrations/channels) |

## Next

- [Set up Inkbox](/docs/desktop/inkbox/set-up): Your Inkbox key, who may reach the bot, and connecting your phone.
- [Text and email your bot](/docs/desktop/inkbox/text-and-email): What to send, follow-ups, starting fresh, and replies.
- [Phone calls](/docs/desktop/inkbox/phone-calls): Call your bot, or have it call someone for you.
- [Who can reach your bot](/docs/desktop/inkbox/who-can-reach-your-bot): Allow-lists, and keeping your bot safe.