We’ve made a significant change to how Clara handles your calls - and if you’ve been using Clara for a while, it’s worth two minutes to understand what’s changed and how to take advantage of it.
What’s changed
Before, Clara worked as a catch-all. Your phone would ring, you’d try to answer it, and if you couldn’t - out on a job, in a meeting, hands full - the call would forward to Clara.
That model worked. But it had a ceiling.
Now, all calls can route to Clara directly. Clara becomes your primary answering service, not your backup. You still take calls yourself when you want to - but Clara is in the loop from the start, not just picking up the slack.
Why this matters
More control over when and how Clara answers
With direct routing, you can now set rules for how Clara behaves:
- Scheduling - Clara answers during your configured hours. Outside those hours? Different behavior entirely.
- Block and allow lists - specific numbers can always go to Clara, or always reach you directly.
- Custom rules - set conditions for when Clara steps in and when she doesn’t.
You’re no longer just toggling Clara on or off. You’re building a call handling system that fits the way your day actually works.
Clara learns from your calls
When Clara is your primary answering layer, calls happen inside the app - similar to how a WhatsApp call works. That means when you take a call, Clara is there too.
She takes notes. She summarizes what was discussed. You finish a call and you have a clean record of it without lifting a finger.
Clara also learns from how you talk to your customers. The way you explain your pricing, the questions you ask, the things you always want to know before booking a job - Clara picks that up over time and starts doing it your way.
How to upgrade
This doesn’t cost anything extra. It’s available to all Clara subscribers now.
Product Updates is our series of short guides on what’s new in Clara and how to get the most out of it.
Frequently asked questions
How is Clara's new call answering different from the old system?
The original Clara worked as a catch-all — your phone rings, if you can't answer it forwards to Clara. The new system makes Clara your primary answering layer from the start. You set rules for when Clara answers, and calls happen inside the app, so Clara can also take notes on calls you answer yourself.
Can Clara learn from the calls I take myself?
Yes. When Clara is your primary answering layer, calls happen inside the app. When you take a call, Clara is present and takes notes on it. Over time it learns your pricing approach, the questions you always ask before booking, and the way you talk to customers — and starts applying that to the calls it handles for you.
Does upgrading to the new call answering system cost extra?
No. The new direct routing system is available to all Clara subscribers at no additional cost. Go to Settings → Call Forwarding and run through the setup again (about one minute) to enable it.
