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How Inbound Rules Work

Learn how the Romulus inbound rules system works — what rules are, the three types available, and the building blocks you can use to set up your call flows.

When someone calls your Romulus number, what happens? The answer depends on how you have configured the inbound rules for that number. This guide explains the logic behind the system — a useful starting point before setting up specific call scenarios.

Where to Find Inbound Rules

From the side menu, click Phone Numbers and select the number you want to configure. The number's page opens with two tabs: Settings and Inbound Rules. The second tab is where you control how calls are handled.

What Is a Rule

A rule defines what happens when a call comes in on that number. It is made up of two elements:

  • When — the time period or schedule during which the rule is active

  • What to do — the sequence of actions the system carries out when a call arrives

A number can have multiple rules active at the same time. The system automatically applies the one that matches the current time — with no manual intervention needed.

The Three Types of Rules

Weekly rules

This is the main type. They define a recurring behaviour based on days and times — for example, Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Once set up, the rule applies automatically every week.

One-time rules

These override weekly rules on specific dates and times. They are useful for exceptions such as public holidays, company closures, or special events. You set a start and end date and time — outside that window, the regular weekly rule applies again.

Draft rules

These are rules that have been fully configured but have no schedule assigned — so they are never triggered. You can prepare them in advance and activate them at any time by assigning a schedule. Useful for having configurations ready to deploy when needed.

Available Building Blocks

When you create or edit a rule, you enter a visual editor where you build the call flow by combining blocks. Each block represents a specific action:

Block

What it does

IVR

Plays a voice menu — the caller presses a key to choose where to be directed

Call user

Rings a specific user's phone

Call group

Distributes the call to a group of users

Play audio

Plays a pre-recorded audio message to the caller

AI Agent

Transfers the call to the automated voice agent

Voicemail

Sends the call to voicemail

Call transfer

Transfers the call to an external number

Webhook

Sends a notification to an external system

Blocks can be combined in sequence to create custom flows. For example: first a voice menu (IVR), then a call to the sales group, then voicemail if no one answers within a set time.

Next Steps

Inbound rules let you build any scenario you need. Here are some practical examples with full instructions:

  • How to configure your phone system during working hours (coming soon)

  • How to handle calls outside business hours and on public holidays (coming soon)

  • How to create a voice menu (IVR) (coming soon)

  • How to set up a call queue (coming soon)

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