Frequently Asked Questions
Use the Sinch MMS JSON API with Express.js and Node.js to create an API endpoint that accepts requests for sending multimedia messages. This involves setting up a Node.js project, installing required dependencies like Axios and Express, and implementing a service to interact with the Sinch API.
The Sinch MMS JSON API, specifically the XMS API endpoint, allows developers to send multimedia messages programmatically. It handles requests containing recipient details, message content, and media URLs for sending MMS messages via the Sinch platform.
Sinch requires a publicly accessible media URL so its servers can directly fetch the media content (images, audio, video) to include in the MMS message. Ensure your media hosting server includes the Content-Length header for Sinch to process correctly.
Use the Sinch MMS API when you need to send rich media content like images, audio, or video along with your messages. SMS is limited to plain text, making MMS essential for marketing campaigns, notifications with visuals, or other communication needing more than text.
The article doesn't explicitly address international MMS. However, it does mention E.164 number formatting for the "SINCH_MMS_NUMBER" environment variable, implying international number support might be available. Consult the official Sinch documentation for details on supported countries and regions for sending international MMS messages.
Initialize a Node.js project using npm init, then install necessary packages such as express, axios, dotenv, and winston. Configure environment variables like SINCH_SERVICE_PLAN_ID and SINCH_API_TOKEN in a .env file to securely store your Sinch credentials.
Axios, a promise-based HTTP client, is used to make POST requests to the Sinch XMS API. It simplifies sending the MMS payload to Sinch and handles the API responses.
The example code provides error handling at multiple levels. Input validation using express-validator catches bad requests, authentication middleware handles unauthorized access, and a try-catch block in the Sinch service manages errors during API calls. Winston logs error details for debugging.
Winston provides structured logging with different levels (debug, info, warn, error), facilitating efficient debugging and monitoring. It's configured to log timestamps, stack traces, and specific error data for better insight into API interactions and potential issues.
You need a Sinch account with an active MMS API subscription, a provisioned phone number (Short Code, Toll-Free, or 10DLC) enabled for MMS, Sinch Service Plan ID and API Token, and a publicly accessible URL for your media file. Node.js and npm must also be installed.
Secure your integration by storing Sinch credentials as environment variables, never committing your .env file, and using a strong, random API key for authentication (INTERNAL_API_KEY) to protect your Express API endpoint. Use HTTPS and consider rate limiting with express-rate-limit and security headers with Helmet.
The article recommends creating separate directories for routes, controllers, services, middleware, and configuration files. Place your main server logic in server.js. This structure promotes code organization and makes future updates or extensions easier.
The article doesn't specify Sinch's rate limits. Refer to the official Sinch documentation for details on rate limits, as exceeding them can lead to throttled or rejected requests. Consider implementing your own rate limiting using express-rate-limit.
The code uses axios-retry to automatically retry failed Axios requests to the Sinch API. It retries on network errors or 5xx server errors with exponential backoff (1s, 2s, 3s delays between retries), increasing resilience to temporary issues.
This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough for building a production-ready Node.js application using the Express framework to send Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) messages via the Sinch MMS JSON API. We will cover project setup, core implementation, API creation, error handling, security, deployment, and verification.
By the end of this guide, you will have a functional Express API endpoint capable of accepting requests to send MMS messages, including text and media content hosted at a public URL, using your Sinch account credentials.
Project Overview and Goals
Goal: To create a reliable backend service that can send MMS messages programmatically using Sinch.
Problem Solved: Automates the process of sending rich media messages (images, audio, video) to users, essential for notifications, marketing, or user engagement requiring more than plain text SMS.
Technologies:
.env
file.System Architecture:
Prerequisites:
1. Setting up the Project
Let's initialize our Node.js project and install the necessary dependencies.
Create Project Directory: Open your terminal and create a new directory for the project.
Initialize Node.js Project: This creates a
package.json
file.Enable ES Modules: To use
import
/export
syntax, add""type"": ""module""
to yourpackage.json
. Alternatively, rename all.js
files to.mjs
. We will use thepackage.json
method. Openpackage.json
and add the line:Install Dependencies: Install Express, Axios, dotenv, validation, rate limiting, security headers, logging, and retry libraries.
express
: Web framework.axios
: HTTP client.dotenv
: Loads environment variables from.env
.express-validator
: For request input validation.express-rate-limit
: Basic rate limiting.helmet
: Security HTTP headers.winston
: Logging library.axios-retry
: Automatic retries for Axios requests.Install Development Dependencies: Install
nodemon
for automatic server restarts during development.Create Project Structure: Organize the code for better maintainability.
Configure
.gitignore
: Prevent sensitive files and unnecessary modules from being committed to version control.Set Up Environment Variables (
.env
): Store your sensitive credentials and configuration here. Never commit this file.PORT
: Port the Express server will listen on.NODE_ENV
: Environment type (development
,production
).SINCH_SERVICE_PLAN_ID
,SINCH_API_TOKEN
: Your credentials from the Sinch Dashboard (see Prerequisites).SINCH_MMS_NUMBER
: The Sinch phone number you'll send MMS from (E.164 format).SINCH_API_BASE_URL
: The base URL for the Sinch API region. Check Sinch documentation or your dashboard.INTERNAL_API_KEY
: Crucial: Replace the placeholder with a cryptographically secure random string. This key protects your API endpoint.LOG_LEVEL
: Controls logging verbosity.Add npm Scripts: Add scripts to
package.json
for running the server.2. Implementing Core Functionality (Sinch Service)
We'll create a dedicated service to handle interactions with the Sinch MMS API, incorporating logging and retry logic.
src/config/logger.js
src/services/sinchService.js
Explanation:
winston
logger./batches
endpoint.axios
instance and configuresaxios-retry
to automatically retry requests on network errors or 5xx responses from Sinch, using exponential backoff. Logs retry attempts.sendMms
Function:/batches
endpoint. Key fields includeto
,from
,body.type
,body.url
,body.message
, andbody.parameters
(conditionally added).parameters
ormessage
fields are removed if not used.Content-Type
andAuthorization: Bearer
.logger.info
,logger.debug
,logger.warn
,logger.error
). Payload is logged at debug level.sinchAxios
instance (with retry) to make thePOST
request.catch
block logs detailed error information and constructs a specific error message before re-throwing it.3. Building the API Layer (Express Route and Controller)
Now, let's create the Express endpoint that will use our
sinchService
.src/middleware/authMiddleware.js
src/controllers/mmsController.js
src/routes/mmsRoutes.js
Explanation:
authMiddleware.js
): Checks forX-API-Key
header against.env
. Logs warnings if the key is missing or invalid.mmsController.js
):validationResult
to check for errors fromexpress-validator
. Returns 400 if invalid.sendMms
service function within atry...catch
block.202 Accepted
on success, including the service response.500 Internal Server Error
.mmsRoutes.js
):express-validator
.POST /api/mms/send
route.apiKeyAuth
, validation rules, then the controller.4. Integrating with Third-Party Services (Sinch)
This section focuses on the specific Sinch integration points.
Credentials:
SINCH_SERVICE_PLAN_ID
,SINCH_API_TOKEN
,SINCH_MMS_NUMBER
,SINCH_API_BASE_URL
: Ensure these are correctly set in your.env
file (locally) and as secure environment variables in your deployment environment. Never commit.env
or hardcode credentials.API Endpoint:
${SINCH_API_BASE_URL}/xms/v1/${SINCH_SERVICE_PLAN_ID}/batches
.Authentication:
Authorization: Bearer ${SINCH_API_TOKEN}
header is set insinchService.js
.Payload:
sinchService.js
uses themt_media
type within the/batches
structure.Media URL Requirements:
mediaUrl
must be publicly accessible via HTTP GET.Content-Length
header. Check usingcurl -I <your_media_url>
.Content-Type
header (e.g.,image/jpeg
).Fallback Mechanism:
parameters.mms_fallback_text
field controls the SMS text if MMS fails.disable_fallback_sms_link
ordisable_fallback_sms
if needed.5. Error Handling, Logging, and Retry Mechanisms
express-validator
in routes.apiKeyAuth
middleware.sinchService.js
catch block with retries viaaxios-retry
.catch
block handles service errors.winston
for structured, leveled logging (src/config/logger.js
).console.*
withlogger.*
.axios-retry
configured insinchService.js
.