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

# Calling Sessions

> Work through a whole call list in one focused, auto-dialling session.

A calling session turns a list of prospects into a single, focused dialling run. Instead of looking up each number and dialling it yourself, you build a list once and Alva walks you through it — surfacing the right script and company context for each call, dialling the next number automatically, and tracking your progress as you go.

<Note>
  Calling Sessions are a **Pro** feature. The standard dialler, click-to-dial, and call log are available on every plan — sessions add the auto-dialling, scripts, and live stats on top.
</Note>

## Starting a session

Go to **Calls → Calling Sessions** and click **New Session**.

### Build your call list

There are two ways to fill a session:

* **From your CRM contacts** — search and select contacts that have a phone or mobile number. Use **Select All** to add everyone matching your search.
* **From a BDR agent** — pick one of your [BDR agents](/bdr-agents/setting-up-your-first-agent) and Alva loads every company in its outreach pipeline. Contacts with phone numbers become direct entries, and companies without a direct contact are added as a **main line** entry so you can call the switchboard.

Each entry in the queue is tagged as either:

* **Direct** — a named contact's phone or mobile
* **Main line** — a company's main switchboard number

### Choose how you dial

| Setting               | What it does                                                                                                                    |
| --------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Manual**            | Alva moves you to the next prospect after each call, and you press **Dial** when you're ready                                   |
| **Auto-dial**         | Alva dials the next prospect automatically a moment after you log your outcome — so you keep moving without touching the keypad |
| **No-answer timeout** | In auto-dial, how long to let an unanswered call ring before hanging up and moving on (5–60 seconds)                            |

You can switch between manual and auto-dial at any point during a session.

## Working a session

The session screen is built for speed and gives you everything in one view:

### Your queue

On the left, your full call list with a progress bar showing how many you've completed. The current prospect is highlighted, and you can click any upcoming entry to jump to it. Completed entries show a coloured dot for the outcome you logged.

### Company context and script

In the centre, Alva shows the **company information** for the current prospect — industry, size, location, website, and a short summary — so you're briefed before they pick up. Below it sits your **call script**:

* A **pitch script** when you're calling a named contact directly
* A **discovery script** when you're calling a company main line

Alva picks the right one for each entry automatically. You can switch scripts from the dropdown if you need a different one. Scripts are written and managed by admins in **Settings → Telephony**.

### Controls and live stats

On the right, choose which [number](/calling/phone-numbers) you're **calling from** and watch your session stats update live:

* **Dials** — calls placed
* **Connects** — calls that connected
* **Pitches** — calls that ended in a positive outcome

There's a running session timer too, so you can see exactly how productive a block of calling has been.

## Dialling and outcomes

For each prospect you **Dial**, talk, then log an [outcome](/calling/call-outcomes-and-insights) — exactly as with a normal call. You can also **Skip** an entry to move past it without calling. In auto-dial mode, logging the outcome rolls you straight on to the next prospect.

Every call in a session is recorded, transcribed, and logged to the CRM just like any other call.

## Pausing and reopening

Sessions move through three states:

* **Active** — you're dialling; pause whenever you need a break
* **Paused** — resume to pick up where you left off
* **Completed** — you've worked the whole list

Finished a session but want to revisit it? Open it and click **Reopen Session** — it returns to active and keeps all your completed entries, so you can carry on dialling any that remain.

<Tip>
  Build your list straight from a BDR agent to call the exact companies your outreach is already warming up — your emails and your calls hit the same accounts, which lifts answer and conversion rates.
</Tip>