> Source: https://builder-docs.ema.ai/agent-reference/core/human-collaboration
> Title: Human Collaboration Agent

# Human Collaboration Agent

The Human Collaboration agent routes decisions to human reviewers, pausing the workflow until a human provides input. It supports three interaction modes: **conversational** (free-form chat), **standard form** (predefined fields), and **custom form** (builder-defined fields and layout).

This is the primary mechanism for human-in-the-loop (HITL) workflows on the Ema platform.

## Use Cases

-   A workflow step requires human judgment before proceeding (approvals, quality review, sensitive decisions).
-   You need a human to provide additional information that the AI Employee cannot determine on its own.
-   Regulatory or policy requirements mandate human oversight for certain actions.

## Inputs

Input

Type

Description

`request_message`

Text

The message shown to the human reviewer describing what they need to do.

`context`

Text

(Optional) Additional context for the reviewer (e.g., the AI-generated draft, extracted data).

`form_fields`

JSON

(Custom form mode) Definition of the form fields the reviewer must fill out.

## Outputs

Output

Type

Description

`approved`

Boolean

Whether the reviewer approved the request.

`reviewer_response`

Text

The reviewer's response text (conversational mode) or form data (form modes).

> [WARNING]
> The Human Collaboration agent produces two branch edges -- **approved** and **rejected**. You must handle both paths in your workflow. Failing to handle the rejected path leaves the user without a response.

## Configurations

Parameter

Description

Default

`mode`

Interaction mode: `conversational`, `standard_form`, or `custom_form`.

`standard_form`

`assignees`

List of users or groups who can respond to the request.

Workspace default reviewers

`timeout_hours`

Hours before the request times out.

`24`

`timeout_action`

What happens on timeout: `auto_approve`, `auto_reject`, or `escalate`.

`escalate`

`instructions`

Instructions shown to the reviewer alongside the request.

None

### Interaction Modes

**Conversational**: The reviewer sees a chat interface and can ask clarifying questions before making a decision. The AI Employee responds to the reviewer's questions using workflow context.

**Standard Form**: The reviewer fills out a predefined approval form with approve/reject and optional comments.

**Custom Form**: The builder defines form fields (text, dropdowns, checkboxes, dates) that the reviewer must complete. The form data is returned as structured output.

## How to Use This Agent

An email-sending workflow with human approval:

```
trigger -> knowledge_search -> respond_to_query -> human_collaboration
 -> [approved] -> send_email -> workflow_output
 -> [rejected] -> fixed_response("Your request was reviewed and declined.") -> workflow_output
```

## Related Agents

-   [Response Validator](/legacy-docs/agent-reference/core/response-validator) -- for automated validation that can reduce the need for human review.
-   [Categorizer](/legacy-docs/agent-reference/core/categorizer) -- route only sensitive categories to human review.