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

# Sending Alerts

> Learn how to send notifications to your users through Dialect Alerts. There are three main approaches to sending alerts, each suited for different use cases and technical requirements.

## Overview of Sending Methods

### 1. Programmatic Alerts

Send alerts directly from your backend code using our APIs or SDKs. This is the most flexible approach and allows for complex logic, real-time event handling, and integration with your existing systems.

**Best for:** Real-time notifications, complex business logic, high-volume sending, custom integrations.

**Options:**

* **[REST API](/alerts/send/api/index)**: Direct HTTP calls for any programming language
* **[TypeScript SDK](/alerts/send/sdk/index)**: Simplified integration with type safety and helper functions

### 2. Dashboard Alerts

Send alerts through our no-code [dashboard](/alerts/send/dashboard) interface. Perfect for marketing announcements, product updates, and any other type of communications that don't require backend integration.

**Best for:** Marketing teams, product announcements, scheduled campaigns (soon), non-technical users.

### 3. Monitoring and Event Detection

Automatically trigger alerts based on on-chain or off-chain events. Our monitoring system can detect complex patterns and automatically send notifications when conditions are met.

**Best for:** DeFi protocols, NFT marketplaces, trading applications, automated risk management.

**Options:**

* **[Dialect Monitor](/alerts/alerts-and-monitoring/setup-event-detection)**: Our open-source monitoring tooling for new integrations or those who want to switch
* **[Custom Event Detection](/alerts/alerts-and-monitoring/integrate-existing-system)**: Integrate with your existing event systems

## Key Messaging Concepts

Before sending alerts, understand these core concepts:

* **Topics**: Categories that organize your notifications (e.g., "Price Alerts", "Liquidation Warnings")
* **Subscribers**: Users who have opted in to receive notifications from your app
* **Channels**: How notifications are delivered - EMAIL, TELEGRAM, IN\_APP, and PUSH
* **Push Notifications**: Only available to app owners; other projects send via IN\_APP channel, which receiving apps can display as push notifications

📚 **[Learn more about topics, channels, and subscribers →](/alerts/setup/topics-channels-subscribers)**

## Getting Started

1. **For immediate testing**: Start with [Dashboard Alerts](/alerts/send/dashboard) - no coding required
2. **For production integration**: Begin with programmatic alerts using our [API](/alerts/send/api/index) or [SDK](/alerts/send/sdk/index)
3. **For automated notifications**: Explore [Monitoring and Event Detection](/alerts/alerts-and-monitoring/index) for hands-off operation