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

# particle_alert_update

> Update an existing alert — retitle, change cadence, pause/resume, or replace its watch list.

Update an existing alert. This is a mutating tool. Only the fields you pass change; everything you omit is left untouched.

The `entities` and `notifications` lists, when provided, **replace the whole set** — pass the complete new list, not a delta. Entities are passed as slugs from the resolve tools, exactly as in [`particle_alert_create`](/mcp/tools/alerts/alert-create); each is re-resolved to its `(entity_type, entity_id)` internally. Use `is_active` to pause or resume an alert without deleting it.

An alert's `kind` is **fixed at creation** — to watch for a different signal (mention vs. speaker appearance), create a new alert.

## Inputs

| Field              | Type             | Required | Default   | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| ------------------ | ---------------- | -------- | --------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `alert_id`         | string           | yes      | —         | Alert id to update.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| `title`            | string           | no       | unchanged | New title.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| `description`      | string           | no       | unchanged | New description.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| `delivery_cadence` | enum             | no       | unchanged | New delivery cadence: `REALTIME`, `DAILY`, or `WEEKLY`.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| `is_active`        | boolean          | no       | unchanged | Pause (`false`) or resume (`true`) the alert.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| `entities`         | array of strings | no       | unchanged | Replacement watch list as entity slugs (from the resolve tools). When provided, replaces the entire existing set; omit to leave entities unchanged.                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| `notifications`    | array of strings | no       | unchanged | Replacement notification emails. When provided, replaces the entire existing set; omit to leave them unchanged.                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| `filters`          | object           | no       | unchanged | Replacement filter set. When provided, **replaces** the entire existing set — pass `{}` to clear all four axes back to their defaults; omit to leave filters unchanged. Same four axes as [`particle_alert_create.filters`](/mcp/tools/alerts/alert-create#filter-object) (`languages`, `relevance`, `source_popularity`, `speaker_roles`). |

## Output

A markdown document rendering the updated alert's full configuration — the same shape returned by [`particle_alert_create`](/mcp/tools/alerts/alert-create) and [`particle_alert_get`](/mcp/tools/alerts/alert-get): title H2, `**ID:**`, `**Kind:**`, `**Delivery:**`, `**Status:**`, optional `**Description:**`, a `### Watching (N)` entity list, a `**Notify:**` row, and (when any filter is set) a `### Filters` section with one bullet per configured axis.

Passing `output_format: "json"` returns the same fields as compact JSON.

## Example

```text theme={"dark"}
# Pause an alert without deleting it.
Agent calls: particle_alert_update { "alert_id": "dKxN6Ry2mL9pJ5qW", "is_active": false }

# Switch to a weekly digest and swap in a new watch list.
Agent calls: particle_company_resolve { "ticker": "NVDA" }
            → reads "- **Slug:**" row → "nvidia"

Agent calls: particle_alert_update {
  "alert_id": "dKxN6Ry2mL9pJ5qW",
  "delivery_cadence": "WEEKLY",
  "entities": ["nvidia", "sam-altman"]
}

# Tighten filters — only RELEVANT matches from the top 5% of podcasts.
Agent calls: particle_alert_update {
  "alert_id": "dKxN6Ry2mL9pJ5qW",
  "filters": { "relevance": "RELEVANT", "source_popularity": "POPULAR" }
}

# Clear all filters back to defaults.
Agent calls: particle_alert_update { "alert_id": "dKxN6Ry2mL9pJ5qW", "filters": {} }
```

## Related

* REST equivalent: [`PATCH /v1/alerts/{id}`](/api-reference/alerts/update-an-alert).
* Resolve replacement watch targets with [`particle_entity_resolve`](/mcp/tools/people/entity-resolve), [`particle_person_resolve`](/mcp/tools/people/person-resolve), or [`particle_company_resolve`](/mcp/tools/companies/company-resolve).
* To change an alert's `kind`, create a new one with [`particle_alert_create`](/mcp/tools/alerts/alert-create).
* To remove an alert entirely, use [`particle_alert_delete`](/mcp/tools/alerts/alert-delete).