---
title: "MGS3037: a job record field fails its shape"
description: Fires when a job record carries a field magus cannot read as declared, such as an id that is not a lease id, a relative checkout or a path outside the workspace. The record is refused; fix each field the problem names.
tags: [MGS3037, jobs, leases, fork, apply, agents, validation]
---

# MGS3037: a job record field fails its shape

`magus job fork`, `magus job apply` and `magus\job.put` refused a job record
because one of its fields cannot be read as declared:

```text
[MGS3037] timeout "soon" is not a positive duration: name one such as 30m or 2h,
  or leave it out
```

Nothing was written to the job store. Every problem in the record is reported
at once, each naming its field (`write_paths[2]`, `waivers[0].reason`), so one
edit can clear them all.

## What fires it

- `id`, `parent` or a `depends_on` entry that is not a lease id: letters,
  digits and `-_./:` only, at most 128 characters.
- A `state` outside the job states, a `timeout` that is not a positive Go
  duration, or a negative `max_attempts`.
- A relative `checkout`. A fork names the checkout it makes by an absolute path.
- A write, deny or read path that begins with `~`, is absolute, or climbs out
  of the workspace with `..`. The guard matches paths relative to the workspace
  root, so such a path bounds nothing.
- A blank `breaks` entry.
- A field sent under both its current and its renamed spelling, or `check`
  beside a rendered `validation` line.
- `enter` beside any other declared field. A record carrying `enter` enters a
  job and declares nothing.
- An unknown member.
- A waiver on a code that cannot be waived, or with no subject or no reason.
  Only [MGS3043](MGS3043.md), [MGS3044](MGS3044.md) and
  [MGS3045](MGS3045.md) can be waived.

## What to do

Edit each field the problem names, using the fix it prints, and send the
record again. `magus job fork --schema` prints the shape every field must take.

## See also

- [Leases](../../../guides/integrations/agents/leases.md): what each field of a job record means.
- [MGS3038](MGS3038.md): a goal no evidence could grade.