---
type: api
title: Start the watch service
description: Start the Watcher service if it is not already running.
url: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/4371/api/doc/elasticsearch/v8/operation/operation-watcher-start
resource: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/4371/api/doc/elasticsearch/v8/operation/operation-watcher-start
products:
  - Elasticsearch
---

# Start the watch service

Availability:

## Paths

- `POST` `/_watcher/_start`

- [Api key auth](/elastic/docs-builder/docs/4371/api/doc/elasticsearch/v8/authentication#apikeyauth)
- [Basic auth](/elastic/docs-builder/docs/4371/api/doc/elasticsearch/v8/authentication#basicauth)
- [Bearer auth](/elastic/docs-builder/docs/4371/api/doc/elasticsearch/v8/authentication#bearerauth)

## Description

Start the Watcher service if it is not already running.

## Required authorization

* Cluster privileges: `manage_watcher`

## Query String Parameters

- `master_timeout` (string Duration · default: 30s)
  Period to wait for a connection to the master node.

## Response

`application/json`

- `acknowledged` (boolean)
  For a successful response, this value is always true. On failure, an exception is returned instead.
## Code Examples

#### Console

```console
POST _watcher/_start
```

#### JavaScript

```javascript
const response = await client.watcher.start();
```

#### Python

```python
resp = client.watcher.start()
```

#### curl

```curl
curl -X POST "$ELASTICSEARCH_URL/_watcher/_start" \
  -H "Authorization: ApiKey $ELASTIC_API_KEY"
```

#### Java

```java
client.watcher().start(s -> s);
```

#### PHP

```php
$resp = $client->watcher()->start();
```

#### Ruby

```ruby
response = client.watcher.start
```

## Response Examples

#### Watcher start response example1

A successful response from `POST _watcher/_start`.

```json
{
  "acknowledged": true
}
```