Skills Development Handling Retell AI Webhook Events

Handling Retell AI Webhook Events

v20260423
retellai-webhooks-events
This skill provides a comprehensive guide for setting up and managing webhook endpoints for Retell AI. It allows developers to capture and process crucial call lifecycle events—such as call start, end, and analysis—as well as handle function calls triggered during live conversations. Use this when building sophisticated voice agents or call automation systems that require real-time backend interaction with Retell AI.
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Overview

Retell AI Webhooks Events

Overview

Handle Retell AI webhook events for call lifecycle, transcripts, and function execution.

Prerequisites

  • HTTPS webhook endpoint
  • Agent configured with webhook URL

Instructions

Step 1: Configure Webhook URL

// Set webhook URL in agent configuration
await retell.agent.update(agentId, {
  webhook_url: 'https://your-app.com/webhooks/retell',
});

Step 2: Webhook Endpoint

import express from 'express';

const app = express();
app.post('/webhooks/retell', express.json(), async (req, res) => {
  const { event, call } = req.body;

  switch (event) {
    case 'call_started':
      console.log(`Call started: ${call.call_id} from ${call.from_number}`);
      break;

    case 'call_ended':
      console.log(`Call ended: ${call.call_id}`);
      console.log(`  Duration: ${call.duration_ms}ms`);
      console.log(`  Status: ${call.call_status}`);
      if (call.transcript) {
        await saveTranscript(call.call_id, call.transcript);
      }
      break;

    case 'call_analyzed':
      console.log(`Analysis ready: ${call.call_id}`);
      console.log(`  Summary: ${call.call_analysis?.call_summary}`);
      break;

    default:
      console.log(`Unhandled event: ${event}`);
  }

  res.status(200).json({ received: true });
});

Step 3: Handle Function Calls During Conversation

// When agent triggers a function, Retell calls your URL
app.post('/functions/book-appointment', express.json(), async (req, res) => {
  const { patient_name, phone, date, time } = req.body.args;

  // Process the booking
  const booking = await bookAppointment(patient_name, phone, date, time);

  // Return response for agent to speak
  res.json({
    result: `Appointment booked for ${patient_name} on ${date} at ${time}. Confirmation number: ${booking.id}`,
  });
});

Output

  • Webhook handling for call lifecycle events
  • Transcript storage on call completion
  • Function execution during live calls

Error Handling

Issue Cause Solution
No webhook events URL not configured Set webhook_url on agent
Function timeout Slow backend Respond within 5 seconds
Missing transcript Short call Transcript only for calls > 5 seconds

Resources

Next Steps

Common errors: retellai-common-errors

Info
Category Development
Name retellai-webhooks-events
Version v20260423
Size 2.94KB
Updated At 2026-04-28
Language