Call Duration and Timeout

Create a Conversation with Custom Duration and Timeout

Step 1: Create Your Conversation

In this example, we will use stock face ID r90bbd427f71 (Anna) and stock PAL ID pcb7a34da5fe (Sales Development Rep).

Use the following request body example:

cURL

curl --request POST \
  --url https://tavusapi.com/v2/conversations \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --header 'x-api-key: <api_key>' \
  --data '{
  "pal_id": "pcb7a34da5fe",
  "face_id": "r90bbd427f71",
  "callback_url": "https://yourwebsite.com/webhook",
  "conversation_name": "Improve Sales Technique",
  "conversational_context": "I want to improve my sales techniques. Help me practice handling common objections from clients and closing deals more effectively.",
  "properties": {
    "max_call_duration": 1800,
    "participant_left_timeout": 60,
    "participant_absent_timeout": 120
   }
}'

Replace <api_key> with your actual API key. You can generate one in the PAL Maker.

The request example above includes the following customizations:

Parameter	Description
`max_call_duration`	Sets the maximum call length in seconds. The maximum value you can set depends on your plan — see the note below.
`participant_left_timeout`	Time (in seconds) to wait before ending the call after the last participant leaves. Default: 0.
`participant_absent_timeout`	Time (in seconds) to end the call if no one joins after it’s created. Default: 300.

The maximum max_call_duration you can set depends on your plan. If you request a value higher than your plan allows, it is automatically capped to your plan’s maximum (the conversation will end at the plan limit even if you requested longer). Check the Maximum conversation duration row on the pricing page for your plan’s limit, or upgrade your plan to increase it.

Step 2: Join the Conversation

To join the conversation, click the link in the conversation_url field from the response:

{
  "conversation_id": "ca4301628cb9",
  "conversation_name": "Improve Sales Technique",
  "conversation_url": "<conversation_link>",
  "status": "active",
  "callback_url": "https://yourwebsite.com/webhook",
  "created_at": "2025-05-13T06:42:58.291561Z"
}

Based on the call duration and timeout settings above:

The conversation will automatically end after 1800 seconds (30 minutes), regardless of activity.
If the participant leaves the conversation, it will end 60 seconds after they disconnect.
If the participant is present but inactive (e.g., not speaking or engaging), the conversation ends after 120 seconds of inactivity.

​Create a Conversation with Custom Duration and Timeout

Step 1: Create Your Conversation

Step 2: Join the Conversation

Create a Conversation with Custom Duration and Timeout