> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.thunderphone.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Get a phone number (demo or your own)

> Provision a demo number in seconds for testing, or connect your VoIP provider to use numbers you already own.

Numbers are how callers reach your agent. On **Phone Numbers**
(`/dashboard/phone-numbers`), click **Add number** to see your two
options:

* **Demo number** (testing only) — a real U.S. number from
  ThunderPhone's pool, live in seconds. Free, **inbound-only**, and it
  answers with a short spoken disclaimer. Perfect for a first test.
* **Connect VoIP provider** (recommended for production) — import
  numbers you already own, or provision new ones, through your own
  provider.

## The demo path

<Steps>
  <Step title="Choose Demo number">
    In the Add-number chooser, pick **Demo number**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick who answers">
    Select the **agent that answers this number** and (optionally) a
    preferred area code.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Provision">
    Click **Provision Number**. The number appears in your table and
    is ready to take calls within seconds.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Provisioning auto-routes the number to your agent — the **Inbound**
select on the number's row shows who answers, and you can change it
anytime.

<Note>
  Demo numbers are for testing: inbound-only, disclaimer first, and
  the dashboard caps an organization at 10 of them. For production
  traffic, connect a VoIP provider.
</Note>

## The VoIP path

**Connect VoIP provider** takes you to **Connections → VoIP** — the
full flow is covered in
[Connect a VoIP provider](/guides/voip-providers). In short, three
routes:

* **Telnyx — guided setup** (recommended): a step-by-step flow that
  walks you through creating a Telnyx account, generating an API key,
  and connecting — with a **Connect & Test** check at the end.
* **Connect an existing account**: paste credentials for **Twilio** or
  **Telnyx**. SignalWire and Vonage are coming soon — use manual SIP
  for them today.
* **Manual SIP configuration**: bring any SIP trunk — host, username,
  password, port, transport — with a **Generate AI Setup Guide**
  button that writes provider-specific instructions for you, and a
  **Test & Save Connection** check.

Once connected, import the numbers you want; imported numbers support
inbound **and outbound**. The programmatic version of this flow is
[Bring your own numbers (API)](/guides/bring-your-own-numbers).

## Manage your numbers

Each row in the numbers table gives you:

* **Copy** the number, and a **label** field to name it.
* **Routing mode** and the **Inbound** agent select.
* An **actions** menu (⋯) for everything else, including release.

## Hear it for real

Dial the number from your own phone and talk to your agent. Or run a
[simulation](/guides/simulate-a-call) and let an AI caller do it.

***

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Simulate a call" icon="flask" href="/guides/simulate-a-call">
    An AI caller rings your new number.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Bring your own numbers (API)" icon="phone-volume" href="/guides/bring-your-own-numbers">
    The VoIP connect-import-verify flow over REST.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Phone numbers API" icon="code" href="/api-reference/phone-numbers">
    Provision and assign programmatically.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Run outbound campaigns" icon="megaphone" href="/guides/outbound-campaigns">
    VoIP numbers unlock outbound calling at scale.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>