---
ref: tool:intercom/send-message
name: Send a message
company: company:intercom
workflows: []
access: [api]
tags: [capability:send-email, category:support, has:api]
docs: https://developers.intercom.com/docs/references/rest-api/api.intercom.io/messages/createmessage
updated: 2026-09-27
---

# Send a message

Sends an email, in-app or WhatsApp message from a teammate to a user or lead and returns the created message.

Note: Sends for real. A contact created moments earlier can return 404 until it is ready to be messaged, and no conversation exists until the contact replies.

## Set up

Use the first option your agent supports.

### API (official)

- Base URL: https://api.intercom.io
- Endpoint: `POST /messages`
- Auth: send the header `Authorization: Bearer $INTERCOM_API_KEY`
- Get a key: https://app.intercom.io/a/apps/_/developer-hub/app-packages
- Docs: https://developers.intercom.com/docs/references/rest-api/api.intercom.io

Before anything else, confirm access with the cheapest read-only call, like a list or a search. Never send or change anything to test access.

## Rules

- Ask the user before anything that sends messages, costs money, or changes data, and say how many records it touches. One approval covers a batch the user has seen.
- Never print API keys.