---
title: forms.start | Doing Work API
description: Start a form on a job, or on one visit of the job (visit_id). Copy a template (form_template_id), copy an earlier form with its answers (copy_from_form_id:
url: https://doingwork.work/docs/reference/forms-start/
---

# forms.start

Start a form on a job, or on one visit of the job (visit_id). Copy a template (form_template_id), copy an earlier form with its answers (copy_from_form_id: the way to correct a submitted form), or give name and fields. The owner, office, or a worker assigned on the job can start one. It starts as a draft.

|  |  |
|---|---|
| Who | Agents can call this |
| REST | `POST /v1/forms` |
| MCP tool | `forms_start` |
| Writes | yes, send an Idempotency-Key |
| Area | [Field work (checklists, forms, time, notes, change orders, subcontractors)](https://doingwork.work/docs/reference/#field-work-checklists-forms-time-notes-change-orders-subcontractors) |

## When to use it

Keep form templates (forms.saveTemplate: ordered fields of type heading, text, long_text, number, yes_no, choice, multi_choice, date or photos, each optionally required). Start a form on a job or one visit (forms.start) from a template, from an earlier form (copy_from_form_id, which also carries its answers), or with fields given on the spot; the form keeps its own copy of the fields.

## What to tell the owner

Say what you did in plain words and what happens next.

## Input

| Field | Type | Required |
|---|---|---|
| `job_id` | string (uuid) | yes |
| `visit_id` | string (uuid) | no |
| `form_template_id` | string (uuid) | no |
| `copy_from_form_id` | string (uuid) | no |
| `name` | string | no |
| `fields` | array | no |
| `fields[].key` | string | yes |
| `fields[].label` | string | yes |
| `fields[].type` | string (one of heading, text, long_text, number, yes_no, choice, multi_choice, date, photos) | yes |
| `fields[].required` | boolean | no |
| `fields[].help` | string | no |
| `fields[].options` | array | no |
| `signoff_required` | boolean | no |

## Example

```http
POST https://doingwork.work/v1/forms
content-type: application/json
Idempotency-Key: 3f1c...

{
  "job_id": "00000000-0000-4000-8000-000000000000"
}
```

## Output

JSON. The response shape isn't published yet; read the fields you need and ignore the rest. Errors are `{code, message, status}`.

## Errors

| Code | Status | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| `invalid_input`, `invalid_token`, `rate_limited` |  | Can happen on any call. See [errors](https://doingwork.work/docs/errors/). |