Connect directly to Safaricom & Airtel shortcodes via Africa's Talking (Nairobi, Kenya):

1. Log into your dashboard at africastalking.com.
2. Go to SMS → Shortcodes → Inbound → Callback URL (or Sandbox: Shortcodes → Callback URLs).
3. Paste your live Vercel SMS endpoint:
   https://telemetry-news-weather.vercel.app/api/sms COPY URL
4. If using a shared shortcode (e.g. 20880 or sandbox 99999), set your keyword to HALO or CORTANA. Any SMS starting with HALO <text> is automatically stripped and routed to Halo's reasoning core!
5. Add your credentials to your Vercel Environment Variables:
   AT_API_KEY=your_key
   AT_USERNAME=your_username
   AT_SHORTCODE=20880
   AT_KEYWORD=HALO COPY ENV
6. Test via AT Simulator: Open Africa's Talking Sandbox → Launch Simulator → Select "Shortcodes" → Enter your shortcode → Text HALO status. You'll receive instant response!

Bring Halo onto WhatsApp using Meta Cloud WhatsApp API or Africa's Talking:

1. Option A: Meta WhatsApp Cloud API (Official & Free 1,000 chats/mo):
   • Go to developers.facebook.com → Create App → WhatsApp.
   • In WhatsApp → Configuration → Webhook:
     Callback URL: https://telemetry-news-weather.vercel.app/api/whatsapp
     Verify Token: cortana_whatsapp_2026 COPY
   • Subscribe to messages webhook field.
   • Add WHATSAPP_ACCESS_TOKEN and WHATSAPP_PHONE_NUMBER_ID to Vercel.
2. Option B: Africa's Talking WhatsApp Channel:
   • Go to Africa's Talking → WhatsApp Channels → Webhooks.
   • Set Webhook URL to: https://telemetry-news-weather.vercel.app/api/whatsapp.
   • Set AT_WHATSAPP_NUMBER in your environment variables.
3. Option C: Twilio WhatsApp Sandbox:
   • In Twilio Console → Messaging → WhatsApp Sandbox → Set incoming URL to: https://telemetry-news-weather.vercel.app/api/whatsapp.

Use any Android phone (spare phone or secondary SIM) as a 100% free cellular gateway:

1. Install the free open-source app SMS Forwarder (F-Droid / Google Play).
2. Tap Senders → Add Rule → Set Target to Webhook (HTTP POST).
3. Paste your Vercel Webhook URL:
   https://telemetry-news-weather.vercel.app/api/sms COPY URL
4. Enable "Auto-reply using webhook response" in settings.

Run a native background GSM listener inside Termux on any Android phone:

1. Install Termux and Termux:API from F-Droid.
2. Run this single command:
   pkg install python termux-api && pip install httpx && curl -sSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/PANDEMICDRAGON/MYBOT/master/scripts/termux_sms_halo.py -o termux_sms_halo.py && python termux_sms_halo.py COPY COMMAND

Use a global Twilio virtual number for SMS or WhatsApp:

1. In Twilio Console → Phone Numbers → Configure.
2. Under A MESSAGE COMES IN, select Webhook (HTTP POST).
3. Paste:
   https://telemetry-news-weather.vercel.app/api/sms COPY