# Advance a candidate

Move a candidate to the next pipeline step. Scope: pipeline:write.

Force-advances a candidate from the given step to the next step in their pipeline. **Scope:** `pipeline:write`. The `{id}` is a **CandidateRoleStep** id (a candidate's progress row for one step — see [candidate steps](/docs/api/pipeline/candidate-steps/)). Requires authority to manage the candidate's steps (HR rep, moderator, owner, or admin).

<Notice type="info" title="No email; side-effects still run">
A v1 transition sends **no email** (neither the candidate "step approved" nor the HR "next step ready" notifications). Non-email side-effects still run — contract auto-generation and activity logging.
</Notice>

## Path parameters

| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `id` | string | The CandidateRoleStep id. |

## Request body (optional)

| Field | Type | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `notes` | string | Validation note recorded on the step. |

## Example request

```bash
curl -X POST https://app.talent-ray.com/api/v1/candidate-steps/crs_1/advance \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer tr_YOUR_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{ "notes": "Strong interview; advancing." }'
```

## Response

`200 OK`

```json
{
  "success": true,
  "step": { "id": "crs_1", "roleId": "role_eng_be", "roleStepId": "step_cv", "name": "CV Screening", "order": 1, "stepType": "cv_screening", "status": "validated", "validatedAt": "2026-06-05T12:00:00Z", "validationScore": 78 }
}
```

## Status codes

| Status | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| `200` | Advanced; `step` is the now-validated step. |
| `401` | No valid API key. |
| `403` | `insufficient_scope` (missing `pipeline:write`) or `forbidden` (cannot manage this candidate's steps). |
| `404` | Step not found, or not visible to the key. |
| `409` | `conflict` — the step is already completed or rejected. |
| `429` | Rate limit exceeded. |