# Desk actions on an idea

> desk (a ready idea onto the desk, freeing the conveyor), drop (back to the start, freeing the conveyor), delete, or set (the desk's switches: on, draw, alert). Free.

Source: https://firmtape.com/docs/developers/lab/idea

`desk` (a ready idea onto the desk, freeing the conveyor), `drop` (back to the start, freeing the conveyor), `delete`, or `set` (the desk's switches: `on`, `draw`, `alert`). Free.

`POST /api/lab/idea`

Plan LAB · Key scope lab · Limit Credits; one idea on the conveyor at a time · Version 1.0.0 · Since 2026-08-12

**This endpoint serves:** [LAB: LAB from a script](https://firmtape.com/docs/lab#lab-api), [LAB: The desk on the chart](https://firmtape.com/docs/lab#desk), [LAB: Desk alerts](https://firmtape.com/docs/lab#desk-alerts). **Plan:** [LAB](https://firmtape.com/features/lab). LAB credits: developing an idea is free, a backtest or an optimize pass is one credit, the desk is free once an idea is tested. LIVE includes 5 credits a month.

## Body

| Field | Meaning | Unit |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `id` (string) | The idea. |  |
| `action` (desk \| drop \| delete \| set) | `desk`, `drop`, `delete` or `set`. |  |
| `on` (boolean) | With `set`. |  |
| `draw` (string) | With `set`. |  |
| `alert` (string) | With `set`. |  |

## Response

The idea after the action.

## Errors

| Status | Code | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 400 |  | A parameter is wrong. |
| 401 |  | No key, or an unknown or revoked one. Send a `lab` key. |
| 404 |  | No such idea or job. Check the id. |
| 409 |  | Another idea holds the conveyor, or a step came out of order. Finish or drop the holder; run the steps in order. |

## Request

```sh
curl -X POST \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $FIRMTAPE_LAB_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"id":"i_abc123def456","action":"desk"}' \
  "https://firmtape.com/api/lab/idea"
```

```python
import os, requests

H = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {os.environ['FIRMTAPE_LAB_KEY']}"}
r = requests.post("https://firmtape.com/api/lab/idea", headers=H, json={"id":"i_abc123def456","action":"desk"})
print(r.status_code, r.text[:500])
```

```js
const r = await fetch("https://firmtape.com/api/lab/idea", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${process.env.FIRMTAPE_LAB_KEY}`, "Content-Type": "application/json" },
  body: JSON.stringify({"id":"i_abc123def456","action":"desk"}),
});
console.log(r.status, await r.text());
```

## Changes

- 2026-08-12: Added.