# OPS-HELP-ONE-TIME — HELP must be supported even on one-time programmes

> HELP keyword support is required regardless of whether the programme sends recurring messages.

- **Rule ID:** OPS-HELP-ONE-TIME
- **Layer:** Operational (`OPERATIONAL`)
- **Checks:** `campaign.help_keywords`
- **Severity:** BLOCKING — Breaking this rule gets the submission rejected outright.
- **When it bites:** Gates approval — get this wrong and registration is refused
- **How it is detected:** Deterministic (settled in code from the submitted values)
- **Fix type:** Fix the field — a better value in the form clears it
- **Required by:** CTIA, TCR
- **Applies:** Applies to every 10DLC registration.
- **Canonical URL:** https://ekas.io/rules/10dlc/operational/ops-help-one-time/

## Why this rule exists

CTIA requires HELP to produce a response whether or not the requester is subscribed and whether or not the programme is a subscription. One-time programmes routinely omit it on the reasoning that there is nothing to unsubscribe from, which leaves a recipient unable to identify the sender at all.

## How to fix it

Declare HELP support and configure a reply, even for a single-message programme. The reply must name the brand and give a support route.

## Example of a compliant value

```text
Help keywords: HELP, INFO
```