---
title: "Record how much help the user wants."
method: POST
path: "/v1/preferences/update"
---

# Record how much help the user wants.

`POST /v1/preferences/update`

## Request

- Base URL: `https://api.candor.money`
- URL: `https://api.candor.money/v1/preferences/update`
- Auth: HTTP bearer

Records, on the user's word, how much help they want from their agent. `in_depth`, the default, has the opening ask what they are working toward and the household facts the records cannot show. `essentials` drops those questions; the opening still raises what needs action, and the agent answers what the user asks. The user can change it here or in the dashboard's settings. Returns the preference as saved.

## Headers

- `Idempotency-Key` string, required

## Request body

- PreferencesUpdateRequest: How much help the user wants from their agent, recorded on their word.
  - `help_depth` 'in_depth' | 'essentials', required: `in_depth` asks what the user is working toward and the household facts the records cannot show; `essentials` raises what needs action and answers what they ask.

## Response `200`

Saved preference envelope.

- ResponseEnvelope
  - `schema_version` string, required
  - `generated_at` string, date-time, required
  - `request_id` string, required
  - `status` 'success' | 'partial_success' | 'action_required' | 'error', required
  - `user_message` string: Optional concise user-safe message the calling agent may adapt.
  - `data_freshness` DataFreshness
    - `balances_last_synced_at` string
    - `coverage` 'complete' | 'partial' | 'stale' | 'unavailable', required
    - `holdings_last_synced_at` string
    - `transactions_last_synced_at` string
  - `metadata` object: Response-level protocol metadata such as package compatibility and workspace opening identity or timing. It is not financial workspace data and must not be treated as attention.
    - `view_url` string, uri: Authenticated dashboard destination related to this response. May open a section rather than reproduce the returned records or filters. Per-record view_url values identify exact supported record views. Use returned URLs instead of constructing paths.
  - `warnings` object[], required
  - `errors` AgentError[], required
    - `code` string, required
    - `expires_at` string
    - `idempotency_key` string: Stable key to reuse when retrying this identical logical operation.
    - `message` string, required
    - `recovery_url` string, uri
    - `required_capability` string
    - `retry_after_seconds` integer: Machine-actionable delay before retrying the identical logical operation.
    - `retryable` boolean, required
    - `suggested_command` string
  - `next_actions` AgentAction[], required
    - `intent` string, required
    - `command` string, required
    - `args` object, required
    - `shell` string, required
  - `action` WorkspaceAction
    - `id` string, required
    - `operation` string, required
    - `reason` string, required
    - `root_action_id` string, required
    - `parent_action_id` string
    - `task_key` string
    - `status` 'started' | 'succeeded' | 'refused' | 'failed', required
    - `created_at` string, date-time, required
    - `completed_at` string, date-time
  - `data` object, nullable, required: Operation-specific result data, or null when the request ends in an error.

## Other responses

- `default`: Structured Candor error envelope with machine-readable codes, recovery guidance, and retry timing when applicable.

---

[API](https://skmtc.dev/candor/apis/candor-api.md) · [All operations](https://skmtc.dev/candor/apis/candor-api/llms.txt) · [OpenAPI document](https://skmtc.dev/candor/apis/candor-api/revisions/6c050f72e956?raw)