# Handle an incoming message

 Note:
Before you can get started, you need to do the following:

- 
- [Python](https://www.python.org/) and a familiarity with how to create a new file.
- [PIP (package installer for Python)](https://pypi.org/project/pip/) and a familiarity with how to install Python modules.
- [Flask](https://flask.palletsprojects.com/en/2.0.x/installation/) and a familiarity with how to set up a Flask environment and app.
- [ngrok](https://ngrok.com/). You'll use ngrok to open a tunnel to your local server.


Using the Conversation API, you can receive and respond to messages from any channel you have configured. This tutorial shows you how to set up a Flask application using Python that receives and responds to messages.

 Note:
This tutorial is easier to accomplish if you have already completed the steps for [sending a message](/docs/conversation/getting-started/python/send-message).

Steps:
1. [Set up](#set-up-your-flask-python-application) your Flask Python application
2. [Configure](#configure-your-webhook) your Conversation API webhook
3. [Test](#test-the-application) the application


## Set up your Flask Python application

1. Create a new folder where you want your app project and open a command prompt to that location.
2. Create a new environment with the following command:

```shell
py -3 -m venv venv
```
3. Activate the environment using the following command:

```shell
venv/Scripts/activate
```
4. Install the `Flask` and `requests` modules by executing the following commands:

```shell
pip install Flask
pip install requests
```


### Modify your application

Note:
This tutorial uses basic authentication for testing purposes. We recommend OAuth 2.0 authentication in a production environment. Read more about [authentication methods](/docs/conversation/api-reference/#authentication).

1. In your project folder, create a new file named `app.py`. Populate that file with the provided "app.py" code found on this page. This code starts a server that listens for incoming messages. It then sends a [text message](/docs/conversation/message-types/text-message/) in response.


2. Assign your values to the following parameters:
ParameterYour valueaccessKeyFind your access key on your Sinch [dashboard](https://dashboard.sinch.com/settings/access-keys).accessSecret
     Find your access secret on your Sinch [dashboard](https://dashboard.sinch.com/settings/access-keys).Note:Access secrets are only available during initial key creation.
3. Save the file.


### Start your web server and set up a tunnel

1. Start the server by executing the following command:

```shell
flask run
```
By default, your web server is started on port 5000.
2. Now you need to open a tunnel to the server you just set up. We are using [ngrok](https://ngrok.com/) for this. If you don't have ngrok installed already you can install it with the following command:

```shell
npm install ngrok -g
```
3. Open a terminal or command prompt and enter:

```shell
ngrok http 5000
```
4. Copy the HTTPS address that ends with .ngrok.io.


## Configure your webhook

In order for your application to receive messages from Conversation API, you must configure a webhook in your Conversation API app. For detailed instructions on configuring a webhook, click [here](https://community.sinch.com/t5/Conversation-API/How-to-add-a-webhook-to-a-Conversation-API-app/ta-p/8100).

1. Set your webhook URL to the HTTP address you copied in the previous step.
2. Assign the following triggers:
  - `CONVERSATION_START`
  - `CONVERSATION_STOP`
  - `EVENT_DELIVERY`
  - `EVENT_INBOUND`
  - `MESSAGE_DELIVERY`
  - `MESSAGE_INBOUND`
  - `UNSUPPORTED`


## Test the application

Now that your server is running and your webhook is configured, you can test the application.

From your messaging platform, send your Conversation API app a message. You will receive a message back in response on the messaging platform.

## Additional resources

Read the links below to learn more:

- [Learn more about the `/messages` endpoint](/docs/conversation/api-reference/conversation/messages/)
- [Learn more about different message types](/docs/conversation/message-types)
- [Learn more about channels](/docs/conversation/channel-support)
- [API specification](/docs/conversation/api-reference/)