> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.exterview.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Invite Flows

> Configure candidate invite flows in Exterview by email, with expiry rules, retry attempts, and delivery tracking. SMS, WhatsApp, and calendar invites are coming soon.

## Purpose

How candidates enter a deployed workflow, and the states an invite moves through.

## Invite channels

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Email" icon="envelope" />

  <Card title="Interview link" icon="link" />
</CardGroup>

<Note>
  **Coming soon:** SMS, WhatsApp, and calendar invites. Right now, candidates
  are invited by email, which includes a link to the interview.
</Note>

## Invite lifecycle

```mermaid theme={null}
%%{init: {'theme':'base','themeVariables':{'primaryColor':'#EEF2FF','primaryBorderColor':'#4B6CFE','primaryTextColor':'#0F172A','lineColor':'#64748B','clusterBkg':'#F8FAFC','clusterBorder':'#E2E8F0'}}}%%
flowchart LR
  A([Created]) --> B([Sent]) --> C([Opened]) --> D([Started]) --> E([Completed])
  B -.-> F([Expired])
  C -.-> F
```

*The states an invite moves through, from created to completed, with expiry if it lapses before it is started.*

| State         | Meaning                                               |
| ------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| **Created**   | The invite exists but hasn't been sent.               |
| **Sent**      | Delivered to the candidate via the chosen channel.    |
| **Opened**    | The candidate has opened the invite.                  |
| **Started**   | The candidate has begun the session or workflow.      |
| **Completed** | The session or workflow has finished.                 |
| **Expired**   | The invite lapsed before it was started or completed. |

## Accessibility & configuration

<Info>
  Language options, link validity, reminders, and support instructions can be
  configured by the customer to fit each role and region.
</Info>

## FAQs

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Which channel should we use?">
    Email is available today, and includes an interview link. SMS, WhatsApp, and calendar invites are coming soon.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if an invite expires?">
    It moves to Expired and can be reissued. Validity windows and reminders are
    configurable.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can invites be multilingual?">
    Yes. Language options are configurable per role and region.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Session Types" icon="layer-group" href="/deploy/session-types">
    What the candidate enters into.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Candidate Experience" icon="heart" href="/best-practices/candidate-experience">
    Reduce drop-off and keep invites clear.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>