> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.monolithforensics.com/monolith/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.monolithforensics.com/monolith/monolith-api/cases-api/create-cases.md).

# CREATE Cases

### POST `api/v1/cases`

Creates a new case.

#### Body Params

Only these fields are accepted (unknown fields return `400`):

| Name              | Type                   | Required | Validation / Notes                                                                 |
| ----------------- | ---------------------- | -------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `case_name`       | `string`               | **Yes**  | Max `255`, cannot contain any of: \`+ < > : " / \\                                 |
| `case_number`     | `string`               | No       | Max `255`, same character restrictions as `case_name`; must be unique if provided. |
| `description`     | `string`               | No       | Max `2000`.                                                                        |
| `case_status`     | `string`               | No       | Max `255`.                                                                         |
| `case_type`       | `string`               | No       | Max `255`.                                                                         |
| `case_lead_id`    | `integer`              | No       | Integer.                                                                           |
| `case_open_date`  | `date`                 | No       | Valid date value.                                                                  |
| `user_group_uuid` | `string` or `string[]` | No       | Either one UUID string or array of UUID strings.                                   |
| `client_id`       | `integer`              | No       | Integer.                                                                           |

#### Success Response (200)

```json
{
  "success": true,
  "message": "Case Created",
  "case_id": 123,
  "uuid": "abc123...",
  "case_number": "CASE-0001",
  "case_name": "New Case"
}
```

#### Error Responses

* `400` validation error:

```json
{
  "message": "Invalid case data",
  "success": false,
  "errors": [
    { "message": "\"case_name\" is required" }
  ]
}
```

* `400` duplicate case number:

```json
{
  "message": "Case number already exists. Case number must be unique",
  "success": false
}
```

* `500` server error:

```json
{
  "message": "Error creating case",
  "success": false
}
```

#### Example

```bash
curl -X POST "https://<host>/v1/cases" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "x-api-key: <api-key>" \
  -d '{
    "case_name": "Customer Investigation",
    "case_number": "INV-2026-001",
    "description": "Investigation details",
    "case_open_date": "2026-02-25",
    "case_lead_id": 12,
    "client_id": 44,
    "user_group_uuid": ["group-uuid-1", "group-uuid-2"]
  }'
```