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

# Choose Your Workflow

> Pick the right endpoint and delivery mode for your use case

## Endpoint Selection

| If you need...                 | Use                  |
| ------------------------------ | -------------------- |
| A fast yes/no answer right now | `POST /check-once`   |
| Condition detection over time  | `POST /live-monitor` |
| Periodic narrative summaries   | `POST /live-digest`  |

## Delivery Mode Selection

| Delivery mode    | Best for                    | How to use                            |
| ---------------- | --------------------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| Synchronous JSON | Immediate answers           | `POST /check-once`                    |
| Polling          | Backend workers and scripts | Create job, then `GET /jobs/{job_id}` |
| Webhook          | Event-driven automation     | Send `webhook_url` in request body    |
| SSE              | Real-time client updates    | Send `Accept: text/event-stream`      |

## Practical Recommendations

1. Start with `check-once` to validate condition wording.
2. Move to `live-monitor` when you need trigger detection over time.
3. Use `live-digest` when you need summaries, not binary triggers.
4. Choose polling first for simple backend workflows.
5. Add webhooks or SSE when you need push delivery.

## Delivery Behavior by Endpoint

### `POST /check-once`

* Returns one JSON result.
* No job lifecycle to track.

### `POST /live-monitor`

* `webhook_url` present: webhook mode.
* `Accept: text/event-stream` and no `webhook_url`: SSE mode.
* Otherwise: polling mode (`job_id` + `GET /jobs/{job_id}`).

### `POST /live-digest`

* `Accept: text/event-stream` and no `webhook_url`: SSE mode.
* `webhook_url` present: webhook mode.
* Otherwise: polling mode.

## Next Steps

* Polling implementation: [Use Polling](/guides/poll-jobs)
* Webhook implementation: [Use Webhooks](/guides/webhooks)
* SSE implementation: [Use SSE Streaming](/guides/sse-streaming)