Build a Scalable Bulk SMS System with RedwoodJS and AWS SNS - code-examples -

Frequently Asked Questions

You can send bulk SMS messages by creating a RedwoodJS application that integrates with AWS SNS. This involves setting up a GraphQL API endpoint connected to a service function that interacts with the AWS SDK. This function handles sending messages in batches to contacts stored in your database.
RedwoodJS is the core framework for building the bulk SMS application. It provides structure, routing, GraphQL API capabilities, and integration with Prisma ORM for database interactions. This simplifies development and provides a cohesive full-stack experience.
AWS SNS is chosen for its scalability and reliability in handling message delivery. It's a fully managed service, meaning AWS handles the infrastructure, allowing developers to focus on application logic. SNS also provides direct SMS sending capabilities.
First, create a new RedwoodJS project using `yarn create redwood-app`. Then, install the necessary AWS SDK modules and configure your database connection in `schema.prisma`. Finally, set up authentication using Redwood's built-in dbAuth and define a GraphQL mutation to trigger the SMS sending process.
Prisma acts as the Object-Relational Mapper (ORM) allowing RedwoodJS to interact with the database. It simplifies database operations by providing a type-safe and easy-to-use API for querying and managing data, such as fetching contact information.
The `PublishBatch` API is ideal for sending messages to multiple recipients simultaneously. This optimizes the sending process and is more efficient than individual API calls for each message. However, keep in mind that SNS limits batch sizes to 10 recipients.
Yes, Prisma supports other databases besides PostgreSQL. You can configure the database connection by editing the `provider` field in your `schema.prisma` file and updating the `DATABASE_URL` environment variable accordingly.
Store your AWS credentials (Access Key ID and Secret Access Key) as environment variables in a `.env` file. RedwoodJS loads these variables automatically in development. Never hardcode credentials directly in your code.
The maximum batch size for the `PublishBatch` API in AWS SNS is 10. The provided code enforces this with a `MAX_BATCH_SIZE` constant. Exceeding this limit will cause errors.
The example code provides error handling at multiple levels: input validation for empty messages, individual message failures within a batch using the SNS response's `Failed` array, batch-level error handling with retries, and overall process errors using try-catch blocks. Ensure logging is configured for monitoring.
The recommended format is E.164, which includes a plus sign (+) followed by the country code, area code, and local number. The code includes a basic regular expression, and Section 8 in the original article was meant to have better validation. For robust validation, consider a dedicated library like libphonenumber-js.
Using dedicated IAM users with limited permissions is crucial for security. It reduces the potential damage from compromised credentials and ensures least privilege access. In production, create custom IAM policies to restrict access only to essential SNS actions (like Publish and PublishBatch).
The dbAuth setup protects the bulk SMS sending functionality. It ensures that only authorized users can access and trigger the GraphQL mutation responsible for sending messages, preventing unauthorized access.
While the code provides a basic regular expression for E.164 validation, consider using a specialized library like libphonenumber-js to enhance this process. A library handles various number formats and provides more accurate validation than regex alone.
Centralizing SNS client initialization in a separate library (`snsClient.js`) improves code organization and modularity. It makes it easier to manage and update the SNS client configuration across your application.