# Send a request with an AI agent

Ask a connected agent to send a Formstep request to one person, prefill and lock what you already know, and read the answers back when they are done.

## Before you start

You need an AI tool with [Formstep connected](https://formstep.io/docs/guides/ai-agents/connect/) and a published form. The examples use the one built in [Build a form with an AI agent](https://formstep.io/docs/guides/ai-agents/build-a-form/). What a request is, and every option it takes, is in [Creating requests](https://formstep.io/docs/requests/creating-requests/).

## 1. Ask for the request

Say which form, who it goes to, what you already know, and how the link reaches them:

```
Send a Formstep request with the "[Guide] Supplier onboarding" form to Ada Lovelace (ada@acme.example). Fill in the company name "Analytical Engines Ltd" and lock it so she cannot change it. Use supplier-2041 as the external ID. Don't email her; give me the link and I will send it myself.
```

The agent finds the form, reads its [field keys](https://formstep.io/docs/requests/field-keys/), and creates the request. It replies with the link for the recipient and when the request expires.

- A filled-in answer is prefilled; a locked one is shown but cannot be changed. See [Prefill, locked fields and hidden fields](https://formstep.io/docs/requests/creating-requests/#three-buckets).

- The external ID is your own id for this piece of work, like a supplier or deal number. You can refer to the request by it later, also in a new conversation.

- Ask the agent to email the recipient and Formstep sends the [invitation and reminders](https://formstep.io/docs/requests/invitations-and-reminders/), on Pro and Business. Otherwise you get the link and send it yourself. If the form has **Send reminders** on, Formstep still emails its scheduled reminders; to prevent that, also say _no reminders_.

> **Try it with a test request first**
>
> Say _send a test request_ while you try this out. A [test request](https://formstep.io/docs/requests/creating-requests/#test-mode) never emails anyone and counts nowhere, so open the link yourself. The Requests page lists it only with the **Show test requests** filter on. To look it up by external ID, tell the agent it is a test request. A test request cannot be reminded.

## 2. The recipient completes the form

The recipient opens the link and finds the company name filled in and locked:

![The request form with Company name showing Analytical Engines Ltd in a greyed-out field and the note 'Filled in by the sender.'](https://formstep.io/docs/guides/ai-agents/request-locked-field.png)

The request shows in Formstep under **Requests**, pending until the recipient submits and completed after:

![The Requests list with Ada Lovelace, ada@acme.example, the Supplier onboarding form, and a Completed badge](https://formstep.io/docs/guides/ai-agents/requests-list.png)

## 3. Read the answers

The agent is not told when the recipient submits. Ask it, in the same conversation or a new one:

```
Has the Formstep request supplier-2041 been answered? Show me the answers.
```

The agent looks the request up by its external ID and, once it is completed, lists each answer. A file answer comes with a download link. If the form has a [decision question](https://formstep.io/docs/requests/decisions-and-approvals/), the reply also says whether the recipient approved, declined or asked for changes.

To act on answers without asking, have a workflow receive a [callback](https://formstep.io/docs/developers/callbacks/) when the request finishes, or start one from [Zapier](https://formstep.io/docs/guides/zapier/request-outcome/).

## Remind or cancel

While a request is pending, ask the agent to _remind Ada about supplier-2041_ to send a reminder email now, or to _cancel_ it. Reminders need the recipient’s email and a Pro or Business plan; how often you can send them is in [Invitations, reminders and expiry](https://formstep.io/docs/requests/invitations-and-reminders/). Canceling is permanent: the link stops working at once, and most AI tools ask you to confirm first.

## Next steps

[The Requests page](https://formstep.io/docs/requests/managing-requests/) — Filters, one request in detail, and what you can do with it

[Field keys](https://formstep.io/docs/requests/field-keys/) — The short names an agent prefills and reads answers by

[MCP server](https://formstep.io/docs/developers/mcp-server/) — Every request tool an agent can call, and the limits

[Form templates](https://formstep.io/templates/) — Forms an agent can send as they are, each with its field keys listed