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

# Validate Messages

> Validate healthcare messages against standard specifications via the Bridge API.

## POST /api/validate

Validate a healthcare message. **Public** — no authentication required.

### Request Body

| Field            | Type   | Default     | Description                 |
| ---------------- | ------ | ----------- | --------------------------- |
| `messageContent` | string | Required    | Raw message content         |
| `standard`       | string | Auto-detect | `hl7`, `fhir`, `ncpdp`      |
| `mode`           | string | `"strict"`  | `strict` or `compatibility` |

### Example

```bash curl theme={null}
curl -X POST http://localhost:5101/api/validate \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "messageContent": "MSH|^~\\&|SENDER|FAC|RECV|DEST|20260222||ADT^A01|12345|P|2.3\rPID|1||MRN001^^^MRN||DOE^JOHN||19800101|M\rPV1|1|I|ER^101^A",
    "standard": "hl7",
    "mode": "strict"
  }'
```

### Valid Response

```json theme={null}
{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "isValid": true,
    "errors": [],
    "warnings": [
      {
        "field": "PID.11",
        "code": "RECOMMENDED_FIELD_EMPTY",
        "message": "Patient address (PID.11) is recommended for ADT messages",
        "severity": "warning"
      }
    ]
  },
  "error": null
}
```

### Invalid Response

```json theme={null}
{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "isValid": false,
    "errors": [
      {
        "field": "PID.5",
        "code": "REQUIRED_FIELD_MISSING",
        "message": "Patient name (PID.5) is required but missing",
        "severity": "error"
      }
    ],
    "warnings": []
  },
  "error": null
}
```

<Note>The outer `success` field indicates whether the API call succeeded. Check `data.isValid` for the validation outcome.</Note>