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# collect

> Collect DTMF or speech input without playing media.

[play-and-collect]: /docs/server-sdks/reference/typescript/relay/call/play-and-collect

[calling-call-collect]: /docs/server-sdks/reference/typescript/relay/call#events

[call-events]: /docs/server-sdks/reference/typescript/relay/call#events

[standalonecollectaction]: /docs/server-sdks/reference/typescript/relay/actions

Collect DTMF digit or speech input without playing a prompt. Use this when you
want to listen for input silently or after a prompt has already been played
separately. For collecting input with a prompt, use
[`playAndCollect()`][play-and-collect].

> **Info**
>
> This method emits [`calling.call.collect`][calling-call-collect] events. See [Call Events][call-events] for payload details.

## **Parameters**

**`digits`** `Record<string, unknown> | undefined`

DTMF digit collection settings.

---

**`digits.max`** `number`

Maximum number of digits to collect.

---

**`digits.digit_timeout`** `number`

Seconds to wait between digits before completing.

---

**`digits.terminators`** `string`

Characters that terminate digit collection (e.g., `"#"`).

---

**`speech`** `Record<string, unknown> | undefined`

Speech recognition settings.

---

**`speech.end_silence_timeout`** `number`

Seconds of silence to wait before finalizing speech input.

---

**`speech.speech_timeout`** `number`

Maximum seconds to listen for speech.

---

**`speech.language`** `string`

Speech recognition language code (e.g., `"en-US"`).

---

**`speech.hints`** `string[]`

Words or phrases to boost recognition accuracy.

---

**`initialTimeout`** `number | undefined`

Seconds to wait for the first input before ending with `no_input`.

---

**`partialResults`** `boolean | undefined`

Enable partial speech recognition results.

---

**`continuous`** `boolean | undefined`

Keep collecting after each result instead of stopping.

---

**`sendStartOfInput`** `boolean | undefined`

Send an event when input is first detected.

---

**`startInputTimers`** `boolean | undefined`

Start input timers immediately. If `false`, call
`action.startInputTimers()` to start them manually.

---

**`controlId`** `string | undefined`

Custom control ID. Auto-generated if not provided.

---

**`onCompleted`** `(event: RelayEvent) => void | Promise<void>`

Callback invoked when collection completes.

---

## **Returns**

`Promise<`[`StandaloneCollectAction`][standalonecollectaction]`>` -- An action
handle with `stop()`, `startInputTimers()`, and `wait()` methods.

## **Example**

```typescript {13}
import { RelayClient } from '@signalwire/sdk';

const client = new RelayClient({
  project: process.env.SIGNALWIRE_PROJECT_ID!,
  token: process.env.SIGNALWIRE_API_TOKEN!,
  contexts: ['default']
});

client.onCall(async (call) => {
  await call.answer();

  // Collect digits silently (e.g., extension entry)
  const action = await call.collect({
    digits: { max: 4, digit_timeout: 3, terminators: '#' },
    initialTimeout: 10,
  });
  const event = await action.wait();

  const result = event.params.result as Record<string, unknown> ?? {};
  const extension = (result.digits ?? '') as string;
  console.log(`Extension entered: ${extension}`);
});

await client.run();
```

> Collect DTMF or speech input without playing media.