docs/reach_person()

reach_person()

For outbound calls, reach_person() handles the critical first step: confirming you have the right person on the line before proceeding. It automatically handles answering machines, gatekeepers, wrong numbers, and refusals.

signature
def reach_person(
    contact_full_name: str,
    *,
    greeting: str | None = None,
    outcomes: list[ReachPersonOutcome] | None = None,
)
ParameterTypeDefaultDescription
contact_full_namestr—The full name of the person you're trying to reach.
greetingstr | NoneNoneCustom greeting message. Overrides the default introduction.
outcomeslist[ReachPersonOutcome] | NoneNoneCustom outcome routing. Defaults to a binary available/unavailable split. Use this to define additional outcomes (e.g. callback requested, wrong number, DNC).
example.py
@agent.on_call_start
def on_call_start(call: guava.Call):
    call.reach_person(
        contact_full_name=call.get_variable("contact_name"),
    )

@agent.on_reach_person
def on_reach_person(call: guava.Call, outcome: str):
    if outcome == "unavailable":
        call.hangup("Leave a brief voicemail asking them to call back.")
    elif outcome == "available":
        call.set_task(
            "main_task",
            checklist=[...],
        )

What happens on the call

When reach_person() is invoked, the agent automatically:

  1. Greets whoever answers and introduces itself (organization + purpose).
  2. Asks for the contact by name. If someone else answered, asks to speak with or be transferred to the contact.
  3. Determines availability and records the contact's availability in a contact_availability field.
  4. Fires agent.on_reach_person with the outcome key ("available", "unavailable", or a custom outcome if you provided outcomes).

Common mistake: redundant introductions

Warning: By the time on_reach_person fires, the agent has already introduced itself and stated the purpose of the call. Do not re-introduce in the first task after reach_person.

# WRONG — redundant introduction
@agent.on_reach_person
def on_reach_person(call: guava.Call, outcome: str):
    if outcome == "available":
        call.set_task("survey", checklist=[
            guava.Say("Hi, this is Grace from Acme Corp, I'm calling about..."),  # Already said this
            ...
        ])

# RIGHT — go straight to content
@agent.on_reach_person
def on_reach_person(call: guava.Call, outcome: str):
    if outcome == "available":
        call.set_task("survey", checklist=[
            guava.Say("I just have a few quick questions for you today."),
            ...
        ])
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