# Auto-replies & office hours

Source: https://joinsimplesms.com/docs/auto-reply
Index: https://joinsimplesms.com/llms.txt

Each number can answer inbound texts automatically: an away message, an
out-of-office, or a first-touch acknowledgement.

## Configuration

Per number: `enabled`, `message` (max 320 chars), and optional office hours
(`tz` as an IANA zone, open `days`, `start`/`end` as HH:MM, and `mode`):

- `always`: reply to every eligible inbound.
- `after_hours`: the out-of-office pattern: reply only OUTSIDE the hours.

## Guardrails (not configurable)

- STOP / START / HELP keywords always win; the auto-reply never answers them.
- Verification codes are never answered.
- Opted-out counterparties are never texted.
- One auto-reply per conversation per 4 hours, claimed atomically; two
  simultaneous inbound messages cannot double-send.

## Testing

Works identically in sandbox: simulate an inbound with
`POST /v1/test/inbound` and the reply appears in the thread with an
`auto_reply: true` marker on its event.