Sinch Conversation API — VS Code Extension
Build, test, and send SMS with Sinch Conversation API - right inside VS Code.
Work with and integrate Sinch's Conversation API directly into your IDE. Send SMS, manage webhooks, and access AI-powered code snippets without switching tools. The fastest way to build and test messaging integrations from VS Code.
Our Conversation API is one simple API to reach customers over multiple channels and deliver a mobile-first experience that’s out of this world!
Official API docs: https://developers.sinch.com/docs/conversation/
Conversation API information: https://sinch.com/apis/messaging/conversation-api/
Features
Core Explorer Views
- Messages: Easily send new SMS messages and view SMS sent within the last ~2 hours (support for additional messaging channels coming soon)
- Senders: Browse and add conversation senders
- Webhooks: Manage all registered webhooks
- Configuration: Enable 'Simulator Mode' to start integrating SMS quickly or inspect currently active Sinch credentials
Messaging & Senders
- Quick SMS sending directly from VS Code
- Real-time message history and status tracking
- Load and manage available senders for your app
- Multi-environment SMS testing support
- Send SMS quickly from the Messages view (context menu or title actions)
Webhook Lifecycle Management
- Create, edit, delete webhooks
- Copy webhook ID or fully resolved callback URL
- Trigger simulated events and run test payloads using built‑in HTML templates
Credential & Environment Configuration
- Guided command to set Key ID, Secret, Project ID, App ID & Region
- Fast switching of App ID / Region for multi‑environment testing
AI / MCP Enablement
- Optional generation of AI agent configuration files for GitHub Copilot
- MCP server integration (see section below)
Code Snippets & IntelliSense
- Generate ready-to-use code snippets for common Sinch Conversation API operations
- Auto-completion support for Sinch API methods in TypeScript/JavaScript files
- Quick access to API examples via Command Palette or tree view
AI Agent Context
- Automatic generation of AI agent context files (
AGENTS.md) for enhanced assistant capabilities
- Provides GitHub Copilot with domain knowledge about Sinch Conversation API
- Improves code suggestions and API guidance in VS Code
- Lightweight HTML templates for webhook testing & trigger simulation
- Structured command palette integration & contextual menus
- Copy-paste ready code examples from the Sinch Conversation API tree view
- Get started quickly with 'Simulator Mode', which allows for the integration and testing of messaging and webhook functionality without needing to set up an account
Installation
Install from the VS Code Marketplace (recommended) or manually via a packaged VSIX file.
Usage
1. Open the Sinch Conversation API View
Click the activity bar icon ("Sinch Conversation API"). You will see views for Senders, Messages, Webhooks, and Configuration.
Open the Command Palette (⇧⌘P / Ctrl+Shift+P) and run: "Sinch Conversation API: Configure Sinch API". Provide:
- Key ID
- Key Secret
- Project ID
- App ID
- Region (us | eu)
Once saved, the extension initializes and begins loading senders, webhooks, and recent messages. If credentials are incomplete you will be prompted to configure them.
3. Explore & Act
- Configuration view: verify what is currently set.
- Senders view: refresh or add a sender via the title menu/context menu.
- Messages view: refresh recent messages or send a new SMS directly.
- Webhooks view: create, edit, delete, refresh, copy IDs/URLs, and test triggers.
Contextual actions are exposed through:
- View title bar buttons (Refresh, Send, etc.)
- Right‑click context menus on items (Edit, Delete, Copy ID, Copy URL, Test Trigger)
- Command Palette for any action (search "Sinch Conversation API")
4. Switching Apps or Regions
Use the relevant selection commands from the Command Palette to rapidly change App ID or Region. This is useful for staging vs production testing.
5. Webhook Testing
Selecting a webhook test action will open an HTML template in the editor, allowing you to simulate inbound requests or trigger events. Adjust payloads and re‑run as needed.
6. Generate Code Snippets
Generate ready-to-use code snippets for Sinch Conversation API operations:
- Open Command Palette (⇧⌘P / Ctrl+Shift+P)
- Run: "Sinch Conversation API: Generate Snippets"
- Select the operation you want (e.g., "Send Message", "Create Webhook", "List Apps")
- Choose your programming language (TypeScript, JavaScript, Python, cURL, etc.)
- The snippet will be inserted at your cursor position or opened in a new file
7. Copy Code from Tree View
Get instant code examples directly from the Sinch Conversation API tree:
- Navigate to any view (Senders, Messages, Webhooks)
- Right-click on the tree view title bar
- Select "Copy Code" or click the copy icon in the title bar
- Choose your preferred language and operation
- Code is copied to your clipboard - ready to paste!
This is the fastest way to get working code for common operations.
8. AI Agent Context Setup
Enhance your AI assistant's knowledge of Sinch Conversation API:
Automatic Setup:
- After configuring credentials, you may be prompted to generate AI agent context
- Accept to create
AGENTS.md in your workspace with Sinch API knowledge
Manual Setup:
- Open Command Palette (⇧⌘P / Ctrl+Shift+P)
- Run: "Sinch Conversation API: Generate Agent Context"
- The
AGENTS.md file will be created in your workspace root
What it does:
- Provides GitHub Copilot with domain-specific knowledge about Sinch API
- Improves code suggestions for Sinch API operations
- Helps AI understand authentication, regional endpoints, and best practices
- Enhances chat responses with accurate Sinch API guidance
When to use:
- Working on Sinch integrations and want better AI code suggestions
- Need AI to understand Sinch-specific concepts (apps, channels, contacts, etc.)
- Want AI to provide accurate API examples and error handling
Note: The agent context file works alongside MCP integration. Use MCP for direct API access, and agent context for improved code suggestions and guidance.
For a complete list of contribution points and commands, refer to package.json or the VS Code Command Palette.
Tip: Nearly every action surfaces in three places: tree view item context menus, view title menus, and the Command Palette—use whichever is fastest for your workflow.
MCP (Model Context Protocol) Integration
This extension supports MCP integration for GitHub Copilot in VS Code. The MCP server provides AI assistants with access to Sinch Conversation API functions.
Setup MCP
- Configure Sinch credentials first using the
Configure Sinch API command
- Setup Sinch MCP using the command
Sinch Conversation API: Setup Sinch MCP
The extension will automatically create the MCP configuration file at .vscode/mcp.json in your workspace.
Activation
- MCP server will be configured automatically
- Open Copilot Chat and allow the MCP server when prompted
- The MCP integration will start working immediately after allowing
Available MCP Commands
Sinch Conversation API: Setup Sinch MCP - Configures MCP for your workspace
Sinch Conversation API: Uninstall Sinch MCP - Removes MCP configuration
Troubleshooting MCP
MCP server not appearing in settings?
- Ensure you've configured Sinch credentials first
- Try reloading VS Code after adding MCP config
- Check that the MCP config file was created at
.vscode/mcp.json
Verify MCP Integration is Working
Once you've set up MCP, you can verify it's working by testing with your AI assistant:
Simple verification:
- Ask AI: "What MCP tools are available?" or "List available tools"
- The AI should show Sinch Conversation API functions
Test Sinch functionality:
- Ask AI: "Can you help me send an SMS using Sinch?"
- Ask AI: "Show me all conversation apps"
If the AI responds with Sinch-specific capabilities or mentions Sinch tools, your MCP integration is working correctly. If the AI doesn't recognize Sinch tools, refer to the troubleshooting section above.
Telemetry
Sinch's Conversation API VS Code Extension may collect limited telemetry data to help us understand usage and improve the extension's experience. The extension does not collect any personal data or any message content. Telemetry collection follows the user's global telemetry setting in Visual Studio Code and will be disabled if telemetry is turned off in VS Code settings.
Development
Built with TypeScript and the VS Code Extension API.
Contributing
Contributions welcome. Please read CONTRIBUTING for details.
License
Copyright Sinch AB, https://sinch.com
Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
You may obtain a copy of the License at
http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
limitations under the License.
Changelog
Release notes are maintained in CHANGELOG.
Further Reading
Developer Documentation: https://developers.sinch.com/docs/conversation/
Feedback, Issues and Support
We love hearing feedback, and we are here to help if you run into any issues.
- For any Sinch Conversation API related issues, or support you require, head over to the [https://sinch.com/help-center/]Sinch Help Centre
- For any Visual Studio Sinch Extension related issues, please contact our support team through the following link https://support.sinch.com/
We will continue to enhance this product, so keep a look out for additional channel support (RCS, MMS, WhatsApp etc) in addition to new features in future.
From all of us at Sinch, happy coding!