Automated SMS Dispatcher using Textbelt API - n8n Workflow

Developers or technical staff needing to integrate simple, transactional SMS notifications into applications.
Business users looking for a repeatable n8n templates solution for testing SMS integration.

• Users who require a quick setup for programmatic text message sending without complex cloud services.

Instant communication is critical, and integrating SMS functionality often requires technical skill and dedicated API configuration. This n8n workflow simplifies the process dramatically by providing a ready-to-use structure for sending text messages via the reliable Textbelt API.

This specific n8n templates solution is designed for simplicity and immediate execution. Instead of embedding API keys directly into complex functions, the structure ensures that your phone number, message content, and API key are clearly defined in an initial data node before being securely passed to the Textbelt endpoint using the HTTP Request n8n node. This makes the entire n8n workflow easy to debug and maintain, offering a powerful, automated communication channel directly from your n8n instance.

This n8n workflow is initiated manually, making it ideal for testing or for scenarios where you integrate it as a sub-workflow triggered by another event (like a webhook or database update).

1. Initiation: The process starts with the 'When clicking ‘Execute workflow’' n8n trigger, allowing for immediate manual testing.


2. Data Definition: The 'Set Data' n8n node immediately follows. This node serves as the crucial input layer where you define three critical parameters: phone (the recipient's number), message (the content of the SMS), and key (your Textbelt API key). This standardizes the required input structure for the remainder of the n8n workflow.


3. API Call: The data then flows into the 'HTTP Request' n8n node. This n8n node is configured to send a POST request to the Textbelt API endpoint (https://textbelt.com/tex).


4. Payload Delivery: The 'HTTP Request' n8n node dynamically maps the phone, message, and key values defined in the 'Set Data' node directly into the request body, executing the SMS send command. The response from the Textbelt API confirms the success or failure of the message delivery, concluding the n8n workflow execution.

To utilize this n8n templates workflow effectively, follow these steps:

1. Import the JSON: Copy the provided n8n workflow JSON code and paste it into your n8n instance via the 'New' menu > 'Import from JSON'.


2. Acquire Textbelt Key: You must sign up for a Textbelt account and obtain a valid API key.


3. Configure 'Set Data' Node:

1. Execute: Click 'Execute Workflow' or activate the n8n workflow. The 'HTTP Request' n8n node will then attempt to send the SMS message.

When clicking ‘Execute workflow’ (Manual Trigger n8n node):
Function: Serves as the starting point for this specific n8n templates solution. It is a simple n8n trigger used for manual testing and development, allowing you to run the process immediately.
Key Configuration: Standard manual execution setup.
Set Data (n8n node):
Function: Defines the three essential variables (phone, message, key) that Textbelt requires. This ensures the necessary data structure is available before the API call.
Key Configuration: Assignments are set as strings, designed to be populated before execution.
HTTP Request (n8n node):
Function: Handles the communication with the external Textbelt API. It sends the payload required to dispatch the SMS.
Key Configuration:
Method: POST
URL: https://textbelt.com/tex
Body Parameters: Uses expressions to dynamically inject input data from the previous node: ={{ $json.phone }}, ={{ $json.message }}, and ={{ $json.key }}. This is a crucial element of the n8n workflow data flow.