Grasshopper — After-Hours Setup
How to forward after-hours calls to PupPilot on Grasshopper.
Setup Note
Grasshopper is a virtual system with no desk phones. Calls route to cell phones or existing landlines.
How Grasshopper Works
Grasshopper is a virtual phone system — it routes calls to your existing phones (cell, landline, or softphone) without desk phone hardware. Call routing is managed through the Grasshopper admin portal at portal.us.grasshopper.com. Key concepts: Extensions (virtual routing destinations), Call Forwarding (to external numbers), and Business hours / schedules (time-based routing).
Call Flow
Open Hours
Caller
Main Number
Staff phones ring
Staff answers
After Hours
Caller
Main Number
Forward
PupPilot answers
Setup Steps
1
Log in to Grasshopper
Go to the Grasshopper admin portal at portal.us.grasshopper.com and sign in.
2
Go to Extension Settings
Navigate to
Settings > Extensions. Select the main extension that receives incoming calls.3
Set Business Hours
Under the Call Forwarding section for your selected extension, click Edit Schedule. Define your Business Hours (e.g., Mon–Fri 8 AM – 6 PM).
4
Configure After-Hours Forwarding
Within the schedule editor, locate the section for calls outside of those hours. Enter your PupPilot phone number as the forwarding destination.
5
Save and Test
Save your changes. Call your Grasshopper number after hours to verify PupPilot answers.
Important Notes
- Grasshopper is a virtual phone system — there are no desk phones. Calls route to cell phones or existing lines.
- You can record a custom after-hours greeting before forwarding to PupPilot.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Fix |
|---|---|
| Calls don't reach PupPilot | Check the extension's call forwarding settings at Settings > Extensions. Verify the PupPilot number is correct. |
| After-hours forwarding not activating | Verify the business hours schedule is configured correctly. Check that the timezone matches your clinic location. |
| No desk phones available for transfers | Grasshopper is a virtual system with no desk phones. Use staff cell phones or a separate VoIP number for transfers. |
| Calls loop between PupPilot and your system | The internal number is forwarding to PupPilot on no-answer. Change the fallback to voicemail. |