Welcome to Tuco AI! 🎉
This guide will help you upload your first leads, check iMessage availability, and send your first message in just a few minutes.Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have:Active Tuco AI account - Sign up here
CSV file with leads (optional - we’ll show you how to create one)
Messaging line configured (we’ll guide you through this)
How Tuco works (read this first)
A few things up front prevent the most common surprises:
- You don’t need your own Mac. Tuco hosts the Apple-connected sending line for you.
- Recipients must be on iMessage to get a blue bubble. Tuco checks availability first and routes everyone else to your SMS fallback — set one up under Settings → When iMessage isn’t available.
- New lines warm up, and each line has daily send caps. Volume ramps over time and scales by adding lines — Tuco won’t let you blast (blasting is what gets lines restricted).
- “Sent” is not “Delivered”.
sentmeans Tuco handed the message to iMessage; delivery confirmation is separate. See message statuses. - iMessage should be triggered, not blasted — personalized, event-driven sends to contacts who opted in.
Step 1: Set Up Your First Line
A “line” is your messaging channel. You need at least one active line to send messages.1
Navigate to Lines
Log in and go to Settings → Lines
2
Purchase or Configure Line
Click Add Line and follow the setup wizard
3
Verify Server URL
Ensure your line has a valid Server URL and shows as Active
First-time setup: Your first line configuration may take 2-3 minutes. You’ll receive an email when it’s ready.
Step 2: Upload Your First Leads
Now let’s add some leads to your workspace.Option A: Use Sample Template
1
Download Template
Go to Leads → Import and click Download Template
2
Fill in Sample Data
Add 2-3 sample leads to the CSV:
3
Upload CSV
Drag & drop the file or click Choose File
4
Create List
Name your first list (e.g., “Sample Leads”)
5
Map Fields
Review auto-mapped fields and click Import
Option B: Quick Send (No Upload Required)
Skip the upload and try Quick Send instead:Try Quick Send
Jump to Step 4 to send a message without uploading leads
Step 3: Check iMessage Availability
Verify which leads support iMessage before sending.1
Navigate to Leads
Go to Leads page - you’ll see your imported leads
2
Auto-Check Running
The system automatically checks availability after uploadWatch the status icons:
- 🔄 Checking - Verification in progress
- 🔵 Available - Ready to receive iMessage
- ⚪ Unavailable - Will receive SMS/email instead
3
Manual Re-check (Optional)
Select leads and click Check Availability to re-verify
Step 4: Send Your First Message
Let’s send your first message! Choose your preferred method:- Quick Send
- Send to Leads
Best for: Testing or one-off messages
1
Open Quick Send
Click Quick Send button in the top nav
2
Enter Recipient
Type a phone number with country code:
+120255512343
Wait for Availability Check
System automatically checks if recipient supports iMessage (5 seconds)
4
Compose Message
Type your message:“Hi! This is a test message from Tuco AI.”
5
Send
Click Send Now - Your first message is on its way! 🚀
Success! You’ve sent your first message with Tuco AI 🎉
Step 5: Track Your Messages
Monitor delivery status and engagement:1
Open Messages Dashboard
Navigate to Messages page
2
View Message Status
See all sent messages with status:
- ✅ Sent - Successfully delivered
- 📅 Scheduled - Queued for future
- ❌ Failed - Delivery error
3
Filter & Search
Use filters to find specific messages:
- By status
- By date range
- By recipient
- By message type
Next Steps
Now that you’ve sent your first message, explore these features:Import from HubSpot
Sync contacts automatically from HubSpot
Schedule Campaigns
Schedule messages for optimal timing
Bulk Operations
Check availability across your lead list
API Integration
Build custom integrations with our API
Common Questions
How long does availability checking take?
How long does availability checking take?
5-10 seconds per lead. The system checks all addresses (phone + email + alternates) and stops at the first available one. Bulk checks are processed sequentially in the background.
What happens if iMessage isn't available?
What happens if iMessage isn't available?
Messages automatically fallback to SMS or email. The system uses the best available delivery method based on your recipient’s capabilities.
Can I schedule messages for later?
Can I schedule messages for later?
Yes! When composing a message, choose “Send Later” and pick your preferred date and time. Messages are processed by a cron job that runs every minute.
How do I know if my message was delivered?
How do I know if my message was delivered?
Check the Messages dashboard. Each message shows real-time status: Sent, Failed, Scheduled, or Cancelled. Failed messages include error details.
What's the difference between Quick Send and Send to Leads?
What's the difference between Quick Send and Send to Leads?
Quick Send is for one-off messages without creating lead records (great for testing).Send to Leads is for organized campaigns with full tracking and list management.
How many messages can I send at once?
How many messages can I send at once?
Depends on your plan:
- Free: 100 messages/day
- Pro: 1,000 messages/day
- Enterprise: Unlimited
Need Help?
Quick Tips
✅ Do
- Check availability before bulk sending
- Use templates for consistent messaging
- Schedule campaigns for optimal times
- Export data regularly for backups
❌ Don't
- Send without checking availability
- Spam recipients with multiple messages
- Use all caps or excessive punctuation
- Send without consent from recipients
🚀 Ready to scale?
Upgrade to Pro for advanced features, higher limits, and priority support