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

# Prerequisites

> Request a Two-Way SMS number and configure your callback URL.

Before receiving inbound SMS messages, you need an active Beem account with a Two-Way SMS number assigned and a callback URL configured.

<Warning>
  **Multicountry SMS accounts:** Inbound two-way callback URLs are **not** configured in the dashboard. Contact [support@beem.africa](mailto:support@beem.africa) to register your HTTPS endpoint. See [Inbound two-way SMS (Multicountry)](/guides/multicountry-sms/inbound-two-way).
</Warning>

***

## Request a number and configure callback

<Steps>
  <Step title="Sign in">
    Log in to your account at [login.beem.africa](https://login.beem.africa). Sign up and verify your email address and phone number if you are not already registered.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Request a number">
    Navigate to the **SMS** menu and open **Two Way SMS**. Select **Request a Number** based on your country and requirements.

    The Beem team will configure a valid short code or long code for your account. The assigned number will appear under **Manage Numbers**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set your callback URL">
    Edit the assigned number and update the **callback URL** for your application. This is the HTTPS endpoint where Beem will POST inbound messages.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate API credentials (optional)">
    To add an extra authentication step, you can validate the API Key on each callback request.

    1. Visit the **SMS** menu and click **API Setup**
    2. Click **Generate API Key and Secret**

    <Warning>
      The Secret is only displayed once. Store it safely before leaving the page.
    </Warning>
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Callback requirements

Your callback endpoint should:

* Be publicly accessible over **HTTPS**
* Accept **HTTP POST** requests with a JSON body
* Respond quickly with a JSON acknowledgement
* Return **HTTP 200 OK** for successful processing

***

## Number types

Two-Way SMS numbers can be short codes or long codes depending on your country and use case. Keyword-based routing may also be available on certain number types.

See [beem.africa/two-way-sms-api](https://beem.africa/two-way-sms-api/) for details on available number types and pricing.