A developer created a gift-giving application using Twilio Verify, allowing users to receive secret messages or content via SMS code. The application uses Node.js and Express generator to create a boilerplate, with Pug.js for templating. To get started, install the necessary modules, including Twilio and env2, and set up environment variables in a .env file. Create a verification service in Twilio Console and store credentials in the .env file. The application sends an SMS code to the recipient's number, which they must input to access the secret content. Verify the code using the Verify API, and if successful, render the secret content; otherwise, display an error message. Run the application with `npm start` and test it out with a personal phone number to receive the secret gift.