# Collect inputs using a Reader

Initiates an input collection flow on a Reader.

## Returns

Returns an updated `Reader` resource.

## Parameters

- `inputs` (array of objects, required)
  List of inputs to be collected using the Reader

  - `inputs.custom_text` (object, required)
    Customize the text which will be displayed while collecting this input

    - `inputs.custom_text.title` (string, required)
      The title which will be displayed when collecting this input

    - `inputs.custom_text.description` (string, optional)
      The description which will be displayed when collecting this input

    - `inputs.custom_text.skip_button` (string, optional)
      The skip button text

    - `inputs.custom_text.submit_button` (string, optional)
      The submit button text

  - `inputs.type` (enum, required)
    The type of input to collect
Possible enum values:
    - `email`
      Collect an email

    - `numeric`
      Collect a number

    - `phone`
      Collect a phone number

    - `selection`
      Collect a selection from one or more choices

    - `signature`
      Collect a signature

    - `text`
      Collect text

  - `inputs.required` (boolean, optional)
    Indicate that this input is required, disabling the skip button

  - `inputs.selection` (object, optional)
    Options for the `selection` input

    - `inputs.selection.choices` (array of objects, required)
      List of choices for the `selection` input

      - `inputs.selection.choices.id` (string, required)
        The unique identifier for this choice

      - `inputs.selection.choices.text` (string, required)
        The text which will be shown on the button for this choice

      - `inputs.selection.choices.style` (enum, optional)
        The style of the button which will be shown for this choice

  - `inputs.toggles` (array of objects, optional)
    List of toggles to be displayed and customization for the toggles

    - `inputs.toggles.default_value` (enum, optional)
      The default value of the toggle

    - `inputs.toggles.description` (string, optional)
      The description which will be displayed for the toggle

    - `inputs.toggles.title` (string, optional)
      The title which will be displayed for the toggle

- `metadata` (object, optional)
  Set of [key-value pairs](https://docs.stripe.com/docs/api/metadata.md) that you can attach to an object. This can be useful for storing additional information about the object in a structured format. Individual keys can be unset by posting an empty value to them. All keys can be unset by posting an empty value to `metadata`.

```curl
curl https://api.stripe.com/v1/terminal/readers/tmr_OXYJvwsea7PDiDHNciXRkytb/collect_inputs \
  -u "<<YOUR_SECRET_KEY>>" \
  -H "Stripe-Version: 2025-05-28.basil" \
  -d "inputs[0][type]"=signature \
  -d "inputs[0][custom_text][title]"=Signature \
  -d "inputs[0][custom_text][description]"="Please sign below" \
  -d "inputs[0][custom_text][submit_button]"=Submit \
  -d "inputs[0][custom_text][skip_button]"=Skip \
  -d "inputs[0][required]"=false \
  -d "inputs[1][type]"=selection \
  -d "inputs[1][custom_text][title]"=Selection \
  -d "inputs[1][custom_text][description]"="Please select one" \
  -d "inputs[1][required]"=true \
  -d "inputs[1][selection][choices][0][style]"=primary \
  -d "inputs[1][selection][choices][0][text]"=choice_1 \
  -d "inputs[1][selection][choices][0][id]"=choice_1_id \
  -d "inputs[1][selection][choices][1][style]"=secondary \
  -d "inputs[1][selection][choices][1][text]"=choice_2 \
  -d "inputs[1][selection][choices][1][id]"=choice_2_id \
  -d "inputs[2][type]"=email \
  -d "inputs[2][custom_text][title]"="Enter your email" \
  --data-urlencode "inputs[2][custom_text][description]"="We'll send updates on your order and occasional deals" \
  -d "inputs[2][custom_text][submit_button]"=Submit \
  -d "inputs[2][custom_text][skip_button]"=Skip \
  -d "inputs[2][required]"=false
```

### Response

```json
{
  "id": "tmr_OXYJvwsea7PDiDHNciXRkytb",
  "object": "terminal.reader",
  "action": {
    "failure_code": null,
    "failure_message": null,
    "collect_inputs": {
      "inputs": [
        {
          "type": "signature",
          "custom_text": {
            "title": "Signature",
            "description": "Please sign below",
            "submit_button": "Submit",
            "skip_button": "Skip"
          },
          "required": false,
          "signature": {
            "value": null
          }
        },
        {
          "type": "selection",
          "custom_text": {
            "title": "Selection",
            "description": "Please select one"
          },
          "required": true,
          "selection": {
            "choices": [
              {
                "style": "primary",
                "text": "choice_1",
                "id": "choice_1_id"
              },
              {
                "style": "secondary",
                "text": "choice_2",
                "id": "choice_2_id"
              }
            ],
            "value": null
          }
        },
        {
          "type": "email",
          "custom_text": {
            "title": "Enter your email",
            "description": "We'll send updates on your order and occasional deals",
            "submit_button": "Submit",
            "skip_button": "Skip"
          },
          "required": false,
          "email": {
            "value": null
          }
        }
      ]
    },
    "status": "in_progress",
    "type": "collect_inputs"
  },
  "device_deploy_group": null,
  "device_sw_version": null,
  "device_type": "bbpos_wisepos_e",
  "ip_address": "192.168.2.2",
  "label": "Blue Rabbit",
  "livemode": false,
  "location": null,
  "metadata": {},
  "serial_number": "123-456-789",
  "software": null,
  "status": "online"
}
```