FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Cascade

Plain-language answers for businesses, developers and teams new to OTP.

Quick Answer

Cascade sends verification codes and short links via WhatsApp, Telegram and SMS.

Summary

This section collects detailed standalone answers — each question can be opened, quoted and used as its own reference page.

Key Takeaways

Pricing starts from 1 ₸ per message.
Setup usually takes about 3 minutes.
The API is available right after you create a key in the cabinet.

FAQ

What is authentication? — FAQ Cascade

Authentication is verifying a user’s identity. OTP as a factor: phone confirmation via WhatsApp, Telegram or SMS in Cascade.

FAQ

What is One Time Password? — FAQ Cascade

One-Time Password is the full name of OTP: a one-time code with a short TTL. Synonym of OTP in Cascade FAQ.

FAQ

What is OTP? — FAQ Cascade

OTP (One-Time Password) is a one-time code to the user’s phone. How send/verify works, how it differs from number rental, and how Cascade de...

FAQ

What is SMS activation? — FAQ Cascade

SMS activation is often confused with OTP: virtual number rental vs outbound code delivery to your user. A Cascade breakdown.

FAQ

What is a verification code? — FAQ Cascade

A verification code is the confirmation code in the product UI. Usually it is the OTP the user enters after delivery to the phone.

FAQ

How not to confuse Cascade with SMS-Activate? — FAQ Cascade

SMS-Activate = number rental. Cascade = outbound OTP to your user. How to tell them apart in 10 seconds.

FAQ

Can I buy a virtual number in Cascade? — FAQ

No. Cascade does not sell or rent virtual numbers. Only outbound OTP to your user’s number.

FAQ

How does Cascade differ from virtual numbers? — FAQ

Virtual/disposable numbers are rental. Cascade is outbound OTP delivery to the user’s real phone.

FAQ

How to store the API key safely? — FAQ Cascade

Server-side secrets/env only. Do not put it in the frontend, a mobile build, or a public git repo. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

What if the SMS did not arrive? — FAQ Cascade

Check the channel, balance, phone format, and history status; wait and retry; consider WhatsApp/Telegram. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS...

FAQ

What if the user entered the wrong code? — FAQ Cascade

Verify returns an error. Allow a limited number of attempts and offer a resend. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

What is a Bearer token? — FAQ Cascade

The Authorization: Bearer <token> method in the HTTP header for API access. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

What is the channel field? — FAQ Cascade

An explicit channel: whatsapp, telegram or sms. If omitted — the company default from the cabinet. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

What is cascade delivery? — FAQ Cascade

If one delivery method is less cost-effective or less effective, the system uses another. Messages stay cheaper and arrive more often. Casca...

FAQ

What is the purpose field? — FAQ Cascade

A scenario label (default verification). Helps separate registration, login, and payments. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

What is Cascade’s REST API? — FAQ Cascade

An HTTPS JSON API with /otp/send, /otp/verify, /links/*, /group/send resources. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Is it suitable for fintech? — FAQ Cascade

As a code delivery channel — yes, but compliance and antifraud remain on your product’s side. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Is it suitable for QA? — FAQ Cascade

Yes, for checking registration/login flows. Use the team’s test numbers and limits. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Is it suitable for SaaS? — FAQ Cascade

Yes: invite, login, recover access. See /use-cases/saas and blog posts. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Is there an API? — FAQ Cascade

Yes. A REST API with Bearer auth: send, verify, short links, group notify. See /api and OpenAPI. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Is there a personal cabinet? — FAQ Cascade

Yes. In the cabinet — keys, balance/send history, channel settings, and company management. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Is there OpenAPI? — FAQ Cascade

Yes: https://cascade.kz/openapi.yaml Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Where to view message history? — FAQ Cascade

In the personal cabinet. Also see notes on /api/history. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Where are comparisons with alternatives? — FAQ Cascade

The /compare section. Unverified competitor figures are marked. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Where to check service status? — FAQ Cascade

The /status page. During incidents also check the changelog. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Which languages is the site in? — FAQ Cascade

UI: ru/en/kk. Switch via cookie/hl. SEO content is primarily in Russian for now. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Can it be integrated into a mobile app? — FAQ Cascade

Yes, but keep the API key on the backend. The app calls your server; your server calls Cascade. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

How fast do messages arrive? — FAQ Cascade

Usually seconds, but it depends on the channel and network. Messengers often feel faster to users. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

How to start in 2–3 minutes? — FAQ Cascade

FAQ

How to choose a delivery channel? — FAQ Cascade

Start with a messenger for price and UX; SMS as backup. Or the company default/auto logic. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

How to send OTP? — FAQ Cascade

Call POST /api/otp/send with the phone field and a Bearer token. The user gets the code on the chosen channel. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram...

FAQ

How to get an API key? — FAQ Cascade

Open the company cabinet, go to API keys, create a key and copy it. Store it only on the server. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

How to top up the balance? — FAQ Cascade

Via the company cabinet (including payment/Kaspi flows in the product). See /api/top-up and /pricing. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

How to verify OTP? — FAQ Cascade

Call POST /api/otp/verify with phone and code. On success the server returns success: true. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

How does Cascade OTP work? — FAQ Cascade

Cascade accepts an API request, delivers a code to a real phone via the chosen channel, and verifies the user’s input.

FAQ

How to calculate OTP cost? — FAQ Cascade

Count tokens by channel and packages on /pricing. SMS costs more than messengers. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

How to contact support? — FAQ Cascade

See /contacts and the support email from the product configuration. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

How to link OTP to a user session? — FAQ Cascade

On the backend, link phone/purpose to the user id before send and after a successful verify. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

What use cases are there? — FAQ Cascade

See /use-cases: SaaS, business, developers, QA, automation, marketing, Telegram, and more. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Where is the full documentation? — FAQ Cascade

/docs, OpenAPI /openapi.yaml, and the /api and /sdk sections. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

What phone number format is required? — FAQ Cascade

Digits; + and spaces are allowed. Normalization produces forms like 7700…; length 10–15 digits. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

How do short links work? — FAQ Cascade

Pass link in /otp/send or use /links/* — the URL is shortened and can go in the same message. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Can workflows be automated? — FAQ Cascade

Yes — via the REST API and server workers. Do not automate code guessing. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Can it be used for arbitration? — FAQ Cascade

If you mean delivering OTP to your users — yes. If you mean mass signup on third-party services via virtual numbers — Cascade is not for tha...

FAQ

Can it be used for CRM/ERP? — FAQ Cascade

Yes, as a confirmation channel inside processes. See /use-cases/business. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Can there be multiple API keys? — FAQ Cascade

Yes, create separate keys for environments/services in the cabinet. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Can a code and a link be sent together? — FAQ Cascade

Yes, pass link in /otp/send — the short link is added to the same message. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Can the code be resent? — FAQ Cascade

Yes, subject to the per-number rate limit. Do not spam the user. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Can Telegram be used? — FAQ Cascade

Yes. Telegram is supported as an OTP delivery channel when the company is configured for it. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Can only SMS be used? — FAQ Cascade

Yes, you can set channel=sms. Note that SMS costs more tokens than messengers. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Can WhatsApp be used? — FAQ Cascade

Yes. WhatsApp is one of Cascade’s main channels for OTP and short links. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Is an official SDK required? — FAQ Cascade

You can work over HTTP. /sdk has JS/TS/Python/PHP/Go/Java/C#/Rust examples. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Is HTTPS required? — FAQ Cascade

Yes. The API is available over HTTPS; call it only from the server. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Do you need your own DB for OTP? — FAQ Cascade

Cascade stores the code for verify. You need business-scenario statuses, antifraud, and audit. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

What does error 401 mean? — FAQ Cascade

Invalid or missing API token. Check Bearer and that the key is active. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

What does error 422 mean? — FAQ Cascade

Validation, balance, channel, or invalid/expired code — read message in the response. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

What does error 429 mean? — FAQ Cascade

Too many verify attempts. Slow down retries and respect the limits. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Why is it so cheap? — FAQ Cascade

Cascade delivery prefers more cost-effective channels (messengers), so average cost is lower than classic SMS broadcasts. Cascade OTP WhatsA...

FAQ

Why choose Cascade? — FAQ Cascade

Price from 1 ₸, quick start ~3 min, WhatsApp+Telegram+SMS, simple API and cabinet. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

What is group notify? — FAQ Cascade

POST /group/send sends text to a WhatsApp group by name or id. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Can an online store be connected? — FAQ Cascade

Yes: codes for registration/login and short links to an order or payment. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Is the service suitable for a startup? — FAQ Cascade

Yes. Quick start, a clear API, and lower average cost thanks to messengers. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

What rate limits exist? — FAQ Cascade

There are limits on send frequency (about once a minute per number) and on verify attempts. See /api/rate-limits. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Teleg...

FAQ

How much does a message cost? — FAQ Cascade

Marketing orientation — from 1 ₸. Token billing: WhatsApp/Telegram = 1, SMS = 16. See current packages on /pricing. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Tel...

FAQ

How long does setup take? — FAQ Cascade

Usually about 3 minutes: registration, key, first send/verify request. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

SMS verification via Cascade

How to confirm a phone by SMS with the Cascade OTP API and when WhatsApp or Telegram is better.

FAQ

How long does the code live? — FAQ Cascade

Usually expires_in is about 300 seconds. After expiry a new send is required. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.

FAQ

Are there webhooks? — FAQ Cascade

Outbound webhooks are described in the docs. See /api/webhooks and INTEGRATION docs. Cascade OTP WhatsApp Telegram SMS API.