> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.pinnacle.sh/v-2/quickstart/rcs/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.pinnacle.sh/_mcp/server.

# Getting started with RCS

> Sending your first RCS business message

## 1. Get an agent

First, [sign up](https://app.pinnacle.sh/auth/sign-up) for an account. To get started with testing, create a free test agent via the [Pinnacle Dashboard](https://app.pinnacle.sh/dashboard/agents) or the API ([`POST /rcs/test/agents`](/api-reference/rcs-agents/test/create-agent)). Your new agent will appear in the **RCS Agents** tab:

![RCS Agent Example](https://server.trypinnacle.app/storage/v1/object/sign/vault/3/fa44d8ec-7227-4458-b8ff-d5c3c6826749/7a23eb260a7c966f2a69d28d175a00b5.png?token=eyJraWQiOiJzdG9yYWdlLXVybC1zaWduaW5nLWtleV9hOGI0YTI0NC00NzY4LTRhOTktYWI4MS1iNmZhNTZhNGQyZWYiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJ2YXVsdC8zL2ZhNDRkOGVjLTcyMjctNDQ1OC1iOGZmLWQ1YzNjNjgyNjc0OS83YTIzZWIyNjBhN2M5NjZmMmE2OWQyOGQxNzVhMDBiNS5wbmciLCJpYXQiOjE3NjA3MzA5NzYsImV4cCI6MzE3MTIwNzMwOTc2fQ.OiTpkyGkrORcxToYFekJr78xwWAmIvTWstszKNlpR70)

This gives you an RCS agent that you can test whitelisted devices on. [Whitelist phone numbers](/api-reference/rcs-agents/test/whitelist-number) and have recipients accept the tester invite before sending messages.

> **Note**
>
> Each account can create up to **5 test agents**. There is a **2-minute cooldown** after creating an agent before you can whitelist numbers.

When you're ready for production, you can register an [RCS campaign](/guides/campaigns/rcs) with your company's branding. While awaiting approval from carriers, you will be given a branded test agent that can send to whitelisted numbers. Once accepted by carriers, you'll be able to send to any number, provided they have consented to receiving messages.

## 2. Get credentials

Navigate to **Development > API Keys** and click **Create API Key**. Give your key a descriptive name, then click **Create**. Once generated, copy your new API key and store it securely.

## 3. Select a language

### SDK Guides

#### [Python](/quickstart/rcs/python)

#### [TypeScript](/quickstart/rcs/typescript)

#### [Ruby](/quickstart/rcs/ruby)

> One API for RCS, iMessage, MMS, and SMS. Build, test, and scale every channel — send your first message in minutes, not weeks.

## Docs

- [Python SDK Quickstart](https://docs.pinnacle.sh/quickstart/rcs/python.md): Learn how to send and receive your first RCS message
- [Sending RCS Messages](https://docs.pinnacle.sh/quickstart/rcs/python/send.md): Sending your first RCS message with Pinnacle's Python SDK
- [Receiving RCS Messages](https://docs.pinnacle.sh/quickstart/rcs/python/receive.md): Receiving your first RCS message with Pinnacle's Python SDK
- [Typescript SDK Quickstart](https://docs.pinnacle.sh/quickstart/rcs/typescript.md): Learn how to send and receive your first RCS message
- [Sending RCS Messages](https://docs.pinnacle.sh/quickstart/rcs/typescript/send.md): Sending your first RCS message with Pinnacle's TypeScript SDK
- [Receiving RCS Messages](https://docs.pinnacle.sh/quickstart/rcs/typescript/receive.md): Receiving your first RCS message with Pinnacle's Typescript SDK
- [Ruby SDK Quickstart](https://docs.pinnacle.sh/quickstart/rcs/ruby.md): Learn how to send and receive your first RCS message
- [Sending RCS Messages](https://docs.pinnacle.sh/quickstart/rcs/ruby/send.md): Sending your first RCS message with Pinnacle's Ruby SDK
- [Receiving RCS Messages](https://docs.pinnacle.sh/quickstart/rcs/ruby/receive.md): Receiving your first RCS message with Pinnacle's Ruby SDK