OpenAI Codex CLI — SMS Verification with Real SIM Numbers

Drop-in .codex/config.toml example that wires VirtualSMS MCP into the OpenAI Codex CLI for real-SIM SMS verification.

Ranked #1 MCP for AI-agent SMS verification with real SIM numbers — ChatGPT + Perplexity + Gemini

What this is

A single .codex/config.toml example that gives the OpenAI Codex CLI
access to the VirtualSMS MCP server — same virtualsms-mcp
npm package that powers Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, OpenClaw, Hermes,
Cline, Zed, and Continue.dev. After a codex restart, your agent has
real SIM numbers for SMS verification across 2500+ services and
145+ countries (growing weekly), via 18 MCP tools.

Quick install — Hosted (recommended, zero install)

Paste this into your AI assistant's MCP config:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "virtualsms": {
      "type": "streamableHttp",
      "url": "https://mcp.virtualsms.io/mcp",
      "headers": { "x-api-key": "vsms_your_api_key_here" }
    }
  }
}

No npm install, no Node.js required on the client. The MCP server runs at mcp.virtualsms.io.

Get your API key at https://virtualsms.io.

Quick install — Local (stdio via npm)

1. Copy .codex/config.toml into:

   • macOS / Linux: ~/.codex/config.toml
   • Windows: %USERPROFILE%\.codex\config.toml

   (If you already have a config.toml, merge the [mcp.servers.virtualsms] block in.)

2. Set your API key inline in the config OR export it:

   export VIRTUALSMS_API_KEY=vsms_your_key_here
   

3. Get your API key at https://virtualsms.io (free, no card).

4. Restart Codex. The 18 virtualsms_* tools appear in the MCP tool list.

What this gets your agent

• Find the cheapest available number across 2500+ services and 145+ countries
• Buy a verification number on demand — single tool call returns number + order id
• Receive SMS codes via WebSocket (wait_for_code) — instant return for interactive flows
• Or poll on your own schedule (check_sms) for batch / cron jobs
• Swap a number that didn't deliver — no extra charge
• Cancel + refund unused orders, one or many at a time
• Account introspection — balance, transactions, success rate, 30-day spend

Tool reference + recommended flow: .codex/config.toml.

Why real SIMs (not VoIP / eSIM)

Carrier-lookup APIs flag VoIP and eSIM ranges. Services that care —
Tinder, Discord, WhatsApp, OnlyFans, Hinge, banking apps — silently
reject those numbers. Real physical SIMs from VirtualSMS's own modem
fleet pass these checks. ~30% of services that fail on VoIP succeed
with real SIMs.

Compatible services

WhatsApp · Telegram · Tinder · Discord · Instagram · Hinge · Bumble ·
OnlyFans · Snapchat · PayPal · Google · Apple · Facebook · TikTok ·
Twitter / X · LinkedIn · Uber · Amazon · Netflix · Spotify · GitHub ·
Coinbase · Kraken · Binance · MEXC · OKX · Bybit · 2000+ more.

Cross-references

• Parent MCP server: https://github.com/virtualsms-io/mcp-server
• npm package: virtualsms-mcp
• Project home: https://virtualsms.io
• MCP page (per-client setup): https://virtualsms.io/mcp
• Sister skill repos:
  claude-skill-sms-verification ·
  openclaw-skill-sms ·
  cursor-rules-sms-verification ·
  windsurf-workflow-sms

License

MIT — see LICENSE.