> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.encoreos.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Approval Chains

> Configure and manage multi-step approval workflow chains — with a chain builder for creating and editing chains at /fw/approval-chains.

The Approval Chains screen lists all configured multi-step approval chains in the organization and is available at `/fw/approval-chains`.

## Overview

This admin screen displays all approval chains for the organization via the `ApprovalChainList` component. Users holding the `fw.chains.create` permission see a **New Chain** button that navigates to `/fw/approval-chains/new`. Existing chains can be edited from the list, navigating to `/fw/approval-chains/:chainId/edit`.

## Who it's for

Access follows your organization's role and module configuration.

* The **New Chain** action is gated by `fw.chains.create` (`FW_PERMISSIONS.CHAINS_CREATE`).
* To edit an existing chain you need `fw.chains.edit`.

## Finding a chain

1. Navigate to `/fw/approval-chains` to see all configured chains.
2. Click **New Chain** (visible with `fw.chains.create`) to open the chain builder at `/fw/approval-chains/new`.
3. Click a chain in the list to navigate to `/fw/approval-chains/:chainId/edit`.

**Approval chain** — an ordered sequence of approval steps used to route requests through multiple reviewers before completion.

## Creating a chain

The New Approval Chain screen (`/fw/approval-chains/new`) renders a page container with a back button (navigating to `/fw/approval-chains`) and a heading **New Approval Chain** with the subtitle "Create a new multi-step approval workflow." The `ApprovalChainBuilder` component is rendered without pre-populated data. On successful save, the user is navigated to `/fw/approval-chains`. Cancelling also returns to `/fw/approval-chains`.

SME: confirm whether `fw.chains.create` is enforced inside `ApprovalChainBuilder`.

Before you start: navigate here from the Approval Chains list by clicking **New Chain** (visible when you hold `fw.chains.create`).

1. Navigate to `/fw/approval-chains/new` or click **New Chain** in the Approval Chains list.
2. Use `ApprovalChainBuilder` to define chain steps, approvers, and settings.
3. Click save; on success, you are redirected to `/fw/approval-chains`.
4. Click the back button or cancel to return to `/fw/approval-chains` without saving.

## Editing a chain

The Edit Approval Chain screen (`/fw/approval-chains/:chainId/edit`) loads the approval chain identified by `chainId` via `useApprovalChain`. The breadcrumb label is set to `Edit <chain.name>` via `useEntityBreadcrumb`. A loading skeleton is shown while data loads. If the chain is not found or an error occurs, an error state with a **Back to Chains** button is displayed. Otherwise, the `ApprovalChainBuilder` component is rendered pre-populated with the existing chain configuration. Saving navigates back to `/fw/approval-chains`.

SME: confirm whether `fw.chains.edit` is enforced inside `ApprovalChainBuilder`.

Before you start: navigate here by clicking an approval chain's edit action in the Approval Chains list. A valid `chainId` must exist in the organization.

1. Navigate to `/fw/approval-chains/:chainId/edit` or click edit on an existing chain.
2. Use `ApprovalChainBuilder` to update the chain steps, approvers, or settings.
3. Click save; successful save navigates back to `/fw/approval-chains`.
4. Click cancel or the back button to return to `/fw/approval-chains` without saving.

## Related

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Forms & Workflow" icon="diagram-project" href="/fw/overview">
    Forms & Workflow core overview.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Governance & parity" icon="scale-balanced" href="/governance/index">
    Documentation coverage and governance.
  </Card>
</Columns>

<Note>
  This page documents shipped product behavior. It is not medical, legal, or
  billing advice. Verify against your organization's policies and applicable
  regulations before using it for clinical, compliance, or billing decisions.
  Protected health information (PHI) shown in the product is governed by your
  tenant's access controls and is never exposed in this documentation.
</Note>

<Accordion title="Documentation sources">
  * src/routes/fw\.tsx
  * src/cores/fw/pages/ApprovalChainsPage.tsx
  * src/cores/fw/pages/ApprovalChainEditPage.tsx
  * src/cores/fw/pages/ApprovalChainNewPage.tsx
  * src/platform/permissions/constants.ts
</Accordion>