# Create a watch

Runs a signal on a schedule. The first run starts within about a minute. Each later run delivers only people this watch has not delivered before, and charges per new lead.

Runs a signal on a schedule. The first run starts within about a minute. Each later run delivers only people this watch has not delivered before, and charges per new lead.

A watch runs in mode screened. `tech_adoption` (raw only) is `400`. `events` needs `signal.event.event_id` — look the event up with a search first. Without a schedule, an events watch follows the event (`event_lifecycle`).

The watch pauses by itself for `monthly_cap`, `daily_cap` or `source_unavailable`, and resumes when it can run again. `webhook_disabled` waits for PATCH `status` `active`.

## Authentication

Send `Authorization: Bearer gtk_…`. Create the key under **Connect assistant → API keys**. A missing, invalid or revoked key is **401**, including while this API is closed. A valid key while the API is closed for your organization answers **404**, the same body as an unknown path. Every response includes `FounderMCP-Api-Version` and `FounderMCP-Request-Id`.

### Headers

- **`Idempotency-Key`** `string` · **required** — Required on this call. The same key and the same body replay the first response for 24 hours (`Idempotent-Replayed: true`). The same key with a different body is `409` `idempotency_conflict`.

### Body parameters

- **`name`** `string | null` — Up to 120 characters.
- **`signal`** `object` · **required** — Same signal object as POST /searches. Events need `event.event_id`.
- **`buyer_profile`** `object` — Buyer profile, mode screened only. `roles` (departments: `ceo`, `sales`, `marketing`, `finance`, `operations`, `hr`, `it`, `talent_acquisition`, `engineering`, `product`, `customer_success`, `data`, `procurement`, `legal`), `titles`, `levels` (`c_level`, `vp`, `director`, `manager`), `countries` (ISO alpha-2, or `EUROPE`), `allow_recruiters`, `allow_vendors`. `sectors` and `company_sizes` only on `new_in_role`. Empty means anyone.
- **`schedule`** `object` — Required except for events. `frequency` `daily` or `weekly` (then `weekday`, Monday = 1), `hour_local` (default 7), `timezone` (default `Europe/Brussels`).
- **`max_leads_per_run`** `integer` — 1 to 50, and at most the type cap. Defaults to 10, or lower when the type cap is lower.
- **`max_credits_per_month`** `integer` · **required** — Most credits this watch may use in one Brussels month.
- **`just_outside`** `string` — `never` (default) or `auto`. One of: `never`, `auto`.
- **`webhook_endpoint_id`** `string | null` — Receives `watch.leads_delivered`, `watch.paused` and `watch.failed_run`.
- **`status`** `string` — `active` (default) or `paused`. One of: `active`, `paused`.

## Response

- **`id`** `string` · **required** — Watch id, `wtch_…`.
- **`object`** `string` · **required** — Always `watch`. One of: `watch`.
- **`status`** `string` · **required** — `active`, `paused` or `deleted`. One of: `active`, `paused`, `deleted`.
- **`paused_reason`** `string | null` — `user`, `monthly_cap`, `daily_cap`, `webhook_disabled` or `source_unavailable`.
- **`signal`** `object` · **required** — The signal, fixed after create.
- **`schedule`** `object` · **required** — `frequency` (`daily`, `weekly`, `event_lifecycle`), `weekday`, `hour_local`, `timezone`.
- **`max_leads_per_run`** `integer` · **required** — Cap on new leads per run.
- **`max_credits_per_month`** `integer` · **required** — Cap for the Brussels calendar month.
- **`next_run_at`** `string | null` · **required** — When the next run starts. Null while you paused it, or while its webhook is disabled.
- **`stats`** `object` · **required** — `leads_delivered_total` and `credits_this_month`.

## Credits

Creating a watch is free. Each run charges 20 credits per new exact lead and 5 per new lead just outside. A run that finds nobody is free. Errors and empty lookups are free. A call that spent credits puts that number in `credits_used`, in `X-Credits-Used` and in `X-Credits-Charged`. When the wallet can be read, the response also sends `X-Credits-Remaining`.

## Errors

- **400** `invalid_request` — The body is not valid JSON, a field is unknown or has the wrong type, or a value is not allowed.
- **401** `authentication_error` — The Authorization header is missing, or the key is unknown or revoked.
- **403** `permission_error` — API access is not part of your plan, or your account is suspended.
- **404** `not_found` — The endpoint does not exist.
- **429** `rate_limit_error` — More than 60 requests per minute, or more than 3 at the same time, on one key. Wait for the Retry-After header.
- **429** `daily_limit_reached` — The request could take your organization over its daily credit limit. The limit resets at midnight (Europe/Brussels).
- **402** `insufficient_credits` — The credit balance is lower than this request could cost. Nothing was charged. Add credits, or send a smaller request. The error includes code, fix and a link to the credits docs.
- **502** `upstream_error` — The data source did not answer. Retry later.
- **503** `service_unavailable` — The API is temporarily unavailable. Retry later.
- **500** `internal_error` — Something went wrong on our side.
- **402** `max_credits_exceeded` — max_credits is lower than the credits of the first row, so nothing could be returned. Nothing was charged; raise max_credits or ask for fewer rows.
- **409** `idempotency_conflict` — The Idempotency-Key was already used with another request body.
- **409** `idempotency_in_progress` — The first request with this Idempotency-Key is still being processed. Wait for the Retry-After header.
- **422** `unresolvable_input` — A company, person or event in the request does not exist or cannot be found.

## Example

### cURL

```bash
curl -X POST "https://foundermcp.dev/api/v1/watches" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $FOUNDERMCP_API_KEY" \
  -H "Idempotency-Key: idem-1" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "Acme engagers",
    "signal": {
      "type": "linkedin_engagement",
      "company": {
        "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/acme-analytics"
      }
    },
    "buyer_profile": {
      "roles": [
        "finance"
      ],
      "countries": [
        "BE"
      ]
    },
    "schedule": {
      "frequency": "weekly",
      "weekday": 1,
      "hour_local": 7,
      "timezone": "Europe/Brussels"
    },
    "max_credits_per_month": 400
  }'
```

### JavaScript

```javascript
const response = await fetch('https://foundermcp.dev/api/v1/watches', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: {
    Authorization: `Bearer ${process.env.FOUNDERMCP_API_KEY}`,
    'Idempotency-Key': 'idem-1',
    'Content-Type': 'application/json'
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    "name": "Acme engagers",
    "signal": {
      "type": "linkedin_engagement",
      "company": {
        "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/acme-analytics"
      }
    },
    "buyer_profile": {
      "roles": [
        "finance"
      ],
      "countries": [
        "BE"
      ]
    },
    "schedule": {
      "frequency": "weekly",
      "weekday": 1,
      "hour_local": 7,
      "timezone": "Europe/Brussels"
    },
    "max_credits_per_month": 400
  })
});
const body = await response.json();
```

### Python

```python
import json
import os
import urllib.request

payload = {
  "name": "Acme engagers",
  "signal": {
    "type": "linkedin_engagement",
    "company": {
      "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/acme-analytics"
    }
  },
  "buyer_profile": {
    "roles": [
      "finance"
    ],
    "countries": [
      "BE"
    ]
  },
  "schedule": {
    "frequency": "weekly",
    "weekday": 1,
    "hour_local": 7,
    "timezone": "Europe/Brussels"
  },
  "max_credits_per_month": 400
}

request = urllib.request.Request(
    "https://foundermcp.dev/api/v1/watches",
    headers={
    "Authorization": f"Bearer {os.environ['FOUNDERMCP_API_KEY']}",
    "Idempotency-Key": "idem-1",
    "Content-Type": "application/json"
    },
    data=json.dumps(payload).encode(),
    method="POST",
)
with urllib.request.urlopen(request) as response:
    body = json.load(response)
```

### Example response

```json
{
  "id": "wtch_01J9Z6P8C8V0K3W6T2N8R5M1XD",
  "object": "watch",
  "status": "active",
  "paused_reason": null,
  "max_credits_per_month": 400,
  "stats": {
    "leads_delivered_total": 0,
    "credits_this_month": 0
  }
}
```