diff --git a/vapi_python/daily_call.py b/vapi_python/daily_call.py
index 5dcc1cd..f4a7911 100644
--- a/vapi_python/daily_call.py
+++ b/vapi_python/daily_call.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import daily
 import threading
 import pyaudio
+import json
 
 SAMPLE_RATE = 16000
 NUM_CHANNELS = 1
@@ -160,3 +161,15 @@ def receive_bot_audio(self):
 
             if len(buffer) > 0:
                 self.__output_audio_stream.write(buffer, CHUNK_SIZE)
+
+    def send_app_message(self, message):
+        """
+        Send an application message to the assistant.
+
+        :param message: The message to send (expects a dictionary).
+        """
+        try:
+            serialized_message = json.dumps(message)
+            self.__call_client.send_app_message(serialized_message)
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(f"Failed to send app message: {e}")
diff --git a/vapi_python/vapi_python.py b/vapi_python/vapi_python.py
index e6f5ac8..69e9797 100644
--- a/vapi_python/vapi_python.py
+++ b/vapi_python/vapi_python.py
@@ -6,13 +6,13 @@
 CHANNELS = 1
 
 
-def create_web_call(api_url, api_key, assistant):
+def create_web_call(api_url, api_key, payload):
     url = f"{api_url}/call/web"
     headers = {
         'Authorization': 'Bearer ' + api_key,
         'Content-Type': 'application/json'
     }
-    response = requests.post(url, headers=headers, json=assistant)
+    response = requests.post(url, headers=headers, json=payload)
     data = response.json()
     if response.status_code == 201:
         call_id = data.get('id')
@@ -27,15 +27,29 @@ def __init__(self, *, api_key, api_url="https://api.vapi.ai"):
         self.api_key = api_key
         self.api_url = api_url
 
-    def start(self, *, assistant_id=None, assistant=None, assistant_overrides=None):
+    def start(
+        self,
+        *,
+        assistant_id=None,
+        assistant=None,
+        assistant_overrides=None,
+        squad_id=None,
+        squad=None,
+    ):
         # Start a new call
         if assistant_id:
-            assistant = {'assistantId': assistant_id, 'assistantOverrides': assistant_overrides}
+            payload = {'assistantId': assistant_id, 'assistantOverrides': assistant_overrides}
         elif assistant:
-            assistant = {'assistant': assistant, 'assistantOverrides': assistant_overrides}
+            payload = {'assistant': assistant, 'assistantOverrides': assistant_overrides}
+        elif squad_id:
+            payload = {'squadId': squad_id}
+        elif squad:
+            payload = {'squad': squad}
+        else:
+            raise Exception("Error: No assistant specified.")
 
         call_id, web_call_url = create_web_call(
-            self.api_url, self.api_key, assistant)
+            self.api_url, self.api_key, payload)
 
         if not web_call_url:
             raise Exception("Error: Unable to create call.")
@@ -48,3 +62,34 @@ def start(self, *, assistant_id=None, assistant=None, assistant_overrides=None):
     def stop(self):
         self.__client.leave()
         self.__client = None
+
+    def send(self, message):
+        """
+        Send a generic message to the assistant.
+
+        :param message: A dictionary containing the message type and content.
+        """
+        if not self.__client:
+            raise Exception("Call not started. Please start the call first.")
+
+        # Check message format here instead of serialization
+        if not isinstance(message, dict) or 'type' not in message:
+            raise ValueError("Invalid message format.")
+
+        try:
+            self.__client.send_app_message(message)  # Send dictionary directly
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(f"Failed to send message: {e}")
+
+    def add_message(self, role, content):
+        """
+        method to send text messages with specific parameters.
+        """
+        message = {
+            'type': 'add-message',
+            'message': {
+                'role': role,
+                'content': content
+            }
+        }
+        self.send(message)