Start with the approval surface
If an agent can send a contract, the approval surface needs to be simple enough for a person to inspect quickly. The dry-run response should show exactly what will be sent before the API creates a real signing link.
The most important checklist item is not a feature checkbox. It is whether the product makes the agent's intended action understandable to the operator.
- Template id and template name are visible.
- Recipient name and email are visible.
- Resolved variables are visible.
- Metadata and webhook target are visible.
- No email is sent during the dry run.
Then check the completion record
The API should return enough state for a backend job or agent to continue without scraping a dashboard. After signature, the system should expose status, signed PDF, field values, audit events, timestamps, and a hash.
This is where many general-purpose signing workflows become awkward for agents. If the next step depends on a human checking a dashboard, the automation chain is brittle.
Finally, check the stop buttons
Agent-triggered systems need obvious ways to revoke keys, cancel agreements, and inspect every action tied to a key or user. A mistake should be containable.
AgentContract keeps those controls close to the workflow: dry run before send, status after send, reminders and cancellation after creation, and signed records after completion.