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

# Sequential mode (1 line)

> Run one call at a time in the AI Sales Dialer: how sequential mode works, when to use it, and how it differs from parallel mode.

<Note>
  Learn how sequential mode works, when to use it, and how it differs from parallel mode.
</Note>

**User Level**: Admin, Agent

***

**Sequential mode** dials one contact at a time. It's the right choice when each conversation matters and your agents want a moment to prepare before each call.

<h2 id="h_9347be7570">
  Setting up sequential mode
</h2>

Sequential mode is the default. In **Step 2: Contact** of the campaign creation wizard, the **Parallel Calling** toggle is OFF by default, which means the campaign dials one contact at a time.

1. Go to **Dialer (new) > Campaigns** and click **+ Add campaign**.

2. Complete Step 1 (name).

3. In **Step 2: Contact**, add your contacts and leave the **Parallel Calling** toggle OFF.

   <Frame>
     <img src="https://mintcdn.com/cloudtalk/8FCfL6QWpEnHvO8c/images/help-center/articles/17025671/289ce80221d2-screenshot-2026-09-21-at-12-38-23.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=8FCfL6QWpEnHvO8c&q=85&s=94d1e1dd4f75dd13982eaa47a2c23a5a" alt="" width="1743" height="1036" data-path="images/help-center/articles/17025671/289ce80221d2-screenshot-2026-09-21-at-12-38-23.png" />
   </Frame>

4. Finish the remaining steps and create the campaign. See [Setting up a campaign in the AI Sales Dialer](/en/articles/17025659-setting-up-a-campaign) for the full walkthrough.

<Info>
  💡 Sequential mode does not require any add-on. Every AI Sales Dialer account can run sequential campaigns.
</Info>

To switch to parallel mode, turn the **Parallel Calling** toggle ON in the same step and set the number of simultaneous lines. See [Parallel mode (2+ lines)](/en/articles/17025675-parallel-mode-2-lines).

<h2 id="h_388f6f4a74">
  How sequential mode differs from parallel
</h2>

| | Sequential (1 line) | Parallel (2+ lines) |
| - | - | - |
| **Calls at once** | 1 | Up to 5 |
| **Who places the call** | The agent clicks to dial | The dialer dials automatically |
| **Agent preparation** | Agent reviews the contact before dialing | Contact details appear when someone answers |
| **Voicemail detection** | Not active. Agent hears the greeting and decides what to do. | Active. Machines are filtered before the agent is connected. |
| **Voicemail drop** | Manual only. Agent clicks to leave a message. | Automatic when a machine is detected (if a recording is configured). Agent can also drop manually. |
| **Add-on required** | No | Yes (Parallel Calling add-on plus a per-agent seat) |
| **Best for** | High-value, prepared conversations on smaller lists | High-volume lists where maximizing talk time matters |

<h2 id="h_a7855ba9df">
  How it works
</h2>

1. The dialer serves you the next contact and shows their details (name, number, company, CRM data).

2. You review the information, then **place the call** when you're ready.

3. You talk. Use the script or survey if the campaign has one. Take notes on the call.

4. The call ends. **Set a disposition** to record the outcome. This is required before the dialer moves you forward.

5. If **automatic dialing** is on, a countdown starts and the next call is placed when it reaches zero. Click **Next Call** to skip the countdown. If automatic dialing is off, you click to dial manually.

6. The next contact is served and the cycle repeats.

Because only one call is active at a time, there's no risk of dropped connections or missed answers. Every call is one your agent chose to place.

<h2 id="h_46865eaa4a">
  When to use sequential mode
</h2>

Sequential mode works best when:

* Conversations are high-value and need preparation (enterprise sales, renewals, sensitive follow-ups).

* Your list is smaller and every contact deserves full attention.

* Agents are newer and benefit from reviewing each contact before dialing.

If your team needs to maximize the number of conversations per hour on a large list, consider [Parallel mode (2+ lines)](/en/articles/17025675-parallel-mode-2-lines) instead.

<h2 id="h_3d6c7b689d">
  What agents can do during a session
</h2>

Everything in [Running a campaign in the AI Sales Dialer](/en/articles/17025679-running-a-campaign) applies. In sequential mode specifically:

* **Skip, remove, and reorder** controls (if enabled by your admin) are available between calls but disabled while a call is in progress or the auto-dial countdown is running.

* **Schedule a callback** for contacts who ask to be called later. See [Scheduled callbacks](/en/articles/17025683-scheduled-callbacks).

* **Drop a voicemail** manually when you hear an answering machine greeting. In sequential mode there is no automatic voicemail detection; you decide whether to leave a message or hang up.

* **Pause** your session any time to take a break. Your held contacts stay assigned to you.

<h2 id="h_2287fd4f59">
  Good to know
</h2>

* **Voicemail detection does not run in sequential mode.** If the call reaches an answering machine, the agent hears the greeting and decides what to do (leave a voicemail drop, hang up, etc.). Automatic filtering of answering machines is a parallel-mode feature.

* **Each real call counts as an attempt**, whether or not the contact answered. A dial that never reached the server (e.g., an immediate network failure) does not count.

* The dialer respects the campaign's retry and cooldown rules the same way in both modes.

***

*Need help or have a question?* Just reach out through our [Support portal](https://support.cloudtalk.io/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=26305535257884) — we’re here for you.


## Related topics

- [Parallel mode (2+ lines)](/en/articles/17025675-parallel-mode-2-lines.md)
- [AI Sales Dialer overview](/en/articles/17025655-ai-sales-dialer-overview.md)
- [AI Sales Dialer: Plans, add-ons and how to get access](/en/articles/17025709-ai-sales-dialer-plans-add-ons-and-how-to-get-access.md)


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