Update Batch Instructions

curl -X PUT https://api.prolific.com/api/v1/data-collection/batches/batch_id/instructions \
     -H "Authorization: Token <token>" \
     -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
     -d '{
  "instructions": [
    {
      "type": "multiple_choice",
      "description": "Choose the LLM response which is more accurate.",
      "id": "0192041c-470f-7336-8e3d-e03fc086a4e1",
      "answer_limit": 1,
      "options": [
        {
          "label": "Response 1",
          "value": "response1"
        },
        {
          "label": "Response 2",
          "value": "response2"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "free_text",
      "description": "Please share the reasons for your choice.",
      "id": "0192041c-4710-7336-8e3d-e9b6149c0797"
    },
    {
      "type": "multiple_choice_with_free_text",
      "description": "Rate each aspect and explain your reasoning.",
      "answer_limit": -1,
      "options": [
        {
          "label": "Good",
          "value": "accuracy_good",
          "heading": "Accuracy"
        },
        {
          "label": "Needs improvement",
          "value": "accuracy_poor",
          "heading": "Accuracy"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "free_text_with_unit",
      "description": "What is your height?",
      "unit_options": [
        {
          "label": "Centimeters",
          "value": "cm",
          "validation": {
            "type": "number",
            "min": 50,
            "max": 300
          }
        },
        {
          "label": "Feet",
          "value": "ft",
          "validation": {
            "type": "number",
            "min": 1,
            "max": 9
          }
        }
      ],
      "unit_position": "suffix"
    },
    {
      "type": "file_upload",
      "description": "Upload a photo of the item",
      "accepted_file_types": [
        ".jpg",
        ".jpeg",
        ".png"
      ],
      "max_file_size_mb": 10,
      "min_file_count": 1,
      "max_file_count": 3
    }
  ]
}'

[
  {
    "type": "multiple_choice",
    "answer_limit": 1,
    "created_at": "2024-09-18T07:50:15.055Z",
    "created_by": "Sean",
    "description": "Choose the LLM response which is more accurate.",
    "id": "0192041c-470f-7336-8e3d-e03fc086a4e1",
    "options": [
      {
        "label": "Response 1",
        "value": "response1"
      },
      {
        "label": "Response 2",
        "value": "response2"
      }
    ],
    "parent_id": "01974850-9e29-744a-811c-b26612812345",
    "parent_type": "batch"
  },
  {
    "type": "free_text",
    "created_at": "2024-09-18T07:50:15.056Z",
    "created_by": "Sean",
    "description": "Please share the reasons for your choice.",
    "id": "0192041c-4710-7336-8e3d-e9b6149c0797",
    "parent_id": "01974850-9e29-744a-811c-b26612812345",
    "parent_type": "batch"
  },
  {
    "type": "multiple_choice_with_free_text",
    "answer_limit": -1,
    "created_at": "2024-09-18T07:50:15.057Z",
    "created_by": "Sean",
    "description": "Rate each aspect and explain your reasoning.",
    "id": "0192041c-4712-7336-8e3d-a2b3c4d5e6f7",
    "options": [
      {
        "label": "Good",
        "value": "accuracy_good",
        "heading": "Accuracy"
      },
      {
        "label": "Needs improvement",
        "value": "accuracy_poor",
        "heading": "Accuracy"
      }
    ],
    "parent_id": "01974850-9e29-744a-811c-b26612812345",
    "parent_type": "batch"
  },
  {
    "type": "free_text_with_unit",
    "created_at": "2024-09-18T07:50:15.058Z",
    "created_by": "Sean",
    "description": "What is your height?",
    "id": "0192041c-4713-7336-8e3d-b3c4d5e6f7a8",
    "parent_id": "01974850-9e29-744a-811c-b26612812345",
    "parent_type": "batch",
    "unit_options": [
      {
        "label": "Centimeters",
        "value": "cm",
        "validation": {
          "type": "number",
          "min": 50,
          "max": 300
        }
      },
      {
        "label": "Feet",
        "value": "ft",
        "validation": {
          "type": "number",
          "min": 1,
          "max": 9
        }
      }
    ],
    "unit_position": "suffix"
  },
  {
    "type": "file_upload",
    "created_at": "2024-09-18T07:50:15.059Z",
    "created_by": "Sean",
    "description": "Upload a photo of the item",
    "id": "0192041c-4711-7336-8e3d-f1c7260d1898",
    "parent_id": "01974850-9e29-744a-811c-b26612812345",
    "parent_type": "batch",
    "accepted_file_types": [
      ".jpg",
      ".jpeg",
      ".png"
    ],
    "max_file_count": 3,
    "max_file_size_mb": 10,
    "min_file_count": 1
  }
]

Updates the instructions for a task builder batch. This is a full replacement - all instructions must be included in the request.

Include the id field for existing instructions you want to preserve. Instructions without an id will be created as new.

Important

Deprecated for batches that use batch_items.

If the target batch was created with batch_items (the per-item instructions flow), this endpoint will respond with 422 Unprocessable Entity and an error message directing you to manage instructions via the batch_items payload instead.

The response will also include the RFC 8594 headers Deprecation: true and Sunset: Tue, 01 Sep 2026 23:59:59 GMT. Legacy batches (where batch_items is null) are unaffected and continue to work as before.

Updates the instructions for a task builder batch. This is a full replacement - all instructions must be included in the request. Include the `id` field for existing instructions you want to preserve. Instructions without an `id` will be created as new. <Error title="Important"> **Deprecated for batches that use `batch_items`.** If the target batch was created with `batch_items` (the per-item instructions flow), this endpoint will respond with **`422 Unprocessable Entity`** and an error message directing you to manage instructions via the `batch_items` payload instead. The response will also include the [RFC 8594](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc8594) headers `Deprecation: true` and `Sunset: Tue, 01 Sep 2026 23:59:59 GMT`. Legacy batches (where `batch_items` is `null`) are unaffected and continue to work as before. </Error>

Authentication

AuthorizationToken

The Prolific API uses API token to authenticate requests. You can create an API token directly from your settings.

Your API token does not have an expiry date and carries full permission, so be sure to keep them secure.

If your token is leaked, delete it and create a new one directly in the app.

In your requests add Authorization header with the value Token <your token>.

The Prolific API uses API token to authenticate requests. You can create an API token directly from your settings. Your API token does not have an expiry date and carries full permission, so be sure to keep them secure. If your token is leaked, delete it and create a new one directly in the app. In your requests add `Authorization` header with the value `Token <your token>`.

Path parameters

batch_idstringRequired

Batch ID

Request

This endpoint expects an object.

instructionslist of objectsRequired

The instructions for the batch.

Response

Updated. Returned only for legacy batches (batch_items is null).

multiple_choiceobject

free_textobject

free_text_with_unitobject

multiple_choice_with_free_textobject

file_uploadobject

Errors

4XX

Client Request Error

422

Unprocessable Entity Error

Updates the instructions for a task builder batch. This is a full replacement - all instructions must be included in the request.

Include the id field for existing instructions you want to preserve. Instructions without an id will be created as new.

Important

Deprecated for batches that use batch_items.