# Making the input parameter optional in responses

**URL:** <https://community.openai.com/t/making-the-input-parameter-optional-in-responses/1392546>\
**Category:** Feedback\
**Tags:** responses-api\
**Created:** [August 25, 2026, 5:46pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/making-the-input-parameter-optional-in-responses/1392546 "2026-08-25T17:46:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![semalu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@semalu](https://community.openai.com/u/semalu)\
**Post date:** [August 25, 2026, 5:46pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/making-the-input-parameter-optional-in-responses/1392546/1 "2026-08-25T17:46:06Z")

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I would like to create a response from a conversation without giving additional input, however the API throws an error that input is a required parameter. Why is this, if my conversation contains the user message that I would like to see a response to? Could input be made optional?

Intended use:

```auto
conversation = client.conversations.create(
    items=[
        {
            "role": "user",
            "content": "Just a simple test."
        }
    ]
)

response = client.responses.create(
    model="gpt-4.1",#"gpt-5.6-luna",
    store=True,
    background=True,
    conversation=conversation.id,
)

```

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![OpenAI\_Support](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/openai1/user_avatar/community.openai.com/openai_support/32/561845_2.png) [@OpenAI\_Support](https://community.openai.com/u/OpenAI_Support)\
**Post date:** [October 25, 2026, 8:50pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/making-the-input-parameter-optional-in-responses/1392546/2 "2026-10-25T20:50:51Z")

</div>

Hi @[**semalu**](https://community.openai.com/u/semalu),

Sorry for the delayed response! The current Responses API reference lists `input` as optional. When you pass a `conversation` ID, the items already stored in that conversation are included in the request context, including the user message added in your example.

You can find more details in our [Create a model response](https://developers.openai.com/api/reference/python/resources/responses/methods/create?utm_source=chatgpt.com).

-GS