# Sinch API Verification Start

> Start a phone verification (SMS, Flashcall, or Call) via Sinch Verification API

- Skill: `sinch/sinch-api-verification-start` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add sinch/sinch-api-verification-start`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/sinch/sinch-api-verification-start/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Integrations & APIs
- Author: sinch (https://skillmd.com/u/sinch)
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/sinch/sinch-api-verification-start

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# Start Phone Verification

Start a phone number verification using the Sinch Verification API. Supports SMS (PIN code), Flashcall (missed call), or Callout (voice TTS). Uses Application Key + Secret.

**IMPORTANT: Execute this command directly. Do NOT generate script files. Perform the API call immediately.**

## Input

- `--to` / `-t`: Phone number to verify (E.164) - required
- `--method` / `-m`: Verification method: sms, flashcall, or callout - required (default sms)

Arguments: $ARGUMENTS

## Instructions

**Execute these steps directly - do not write code or scripts:**

0. If $ARGUMENTS empty: ask for phone number and method (sms, flashcall, callout). Otherwise parse.

1. Validate: --to (E.164), --method (sms | flashcall | callout). Normalize method to lowercase.

2. Get VERIFICATION_APPLICATION_KEY and VERIFICATION_APPLICATION_SECRET from env (or shared Voice/Verification app credentials if documented). Verification API uses Application Key/Secret. If missing, report "Verification API is not configured. Set application key and secret for Verification app."

3. Request body: identity { type: "number", endpoint: "+E164" }, method.

4. POST https://verification.api.sinch.com/verification/v1/verifications with Basic Auth (application_key:application_secret), Content-Type application/json.

5. On success: "✅ Verification started" with verification ID. Tell user to share the code with the end user (SMS) or that Flashcall/Callout was triggered. Handle 400, 401, 429 with clear messages.

6. Handle all errors gracefully.

## Examples

```
/sinch-api-verification-start --to=+14155551234 --method=sms
/sinch-api-verification-start -t +14155551234 -m callout
```

## API Reference

- **Base URL**: https://verification.api.sinch.com/verification/v1
- **Endpoint**: POST /verifications
- **Auth**: Basic (application_key:application_secret)
- **Documentation**: https://developers.sinch.com/docs/verification/