diff --git a/src/components/workflow/ResumeModal.tsx b/src/components/workflow/ResumeModal.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d73ae97
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/workflow/ResumeModal.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
+import { useState } from 'react';
+import { Dialog, DialogContent, DialogHeader, DialogTitle, DialogFooter } from '@/components/ui/dialog';
+import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
+import { Label } from '@/components/ui/label';
+import { Textarea } from '@/components/ui/textarea';
+import { Loader2, Play } from 'lucide-react';
+import { toast } from 'sonner';
+import { resumeWorkflow } from '@/services/workflowApi';
+
+interface ResumeModalProps {
+  isOpen: boolean;
+  onClose: () => void;
+  requestId: string;
+  onSuccess?: () => void | Promise<void>;
+}
+
+export function ResumeModal({ isOpen, onClose, requestId, onSuccess }: ResumeModalProps) {
+  const [notes, setNotes] = useState('');
+  const [submitting, setSubmitting] = useState(false);
+
+  const handleSubmit = async () => {
+    try {
+      setSubmitting(true);
+      await resumeWorkflow(requestId, notes.trim() || undefined);
+      toast.success('Workflow resumed successfully');
+      
+      // Wait for parent to refresh data before closing modal
+      if (onSuccess) {
+        await onSuccess();
+      }
+      
+      setNotes('');
+      onClose();
+    } catch (error: any) {
+      console.error('Failed to resume workflow:', error);
+      toast.error(error?.response?.data?.error || error?.response?.data?.message || 'Failed to resume workflow');
+    } finally {
+      setSubmitting(false);
+    }
+  };
+
+  const handleClose = () => {
+    if (!submitting) {
+      setNotes('');
+      onClose();
+    }
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <Dialog open={isOpen} onOpenChange={handleClose}>
+      <DialogContent className="sm:max-w-[500px]">
+        <DialogHeader>
+          <DialogTitle className="flex items-center gap-2">
+            <Play className="w-5 h-5 text-green-600" />
+            Resume Workflow
+          </DialogTitle>
+        </DialogHeader>
+
+        <div className="space-y-4 py-4">
+          <div className="bg-green-50 border border-green-200 rounded-lg p-3">
+            <p className="text-sm text-green-800">
+              <strong>Note:</strong> Resuming will restart TAT calculations and notifications. The workflow will continue from where it was paused.
+            </p>
+          </div>
+
+          <div className="space-y-2">
+            <Label htmlFor="resume-notes" className="text-sm font-medium">
+              Notes (Optional)
+            </Label>
+            <Textarea
+              id="resume-notes"
+              value={notes}
+              onChange={(e) => setNotes(e.target.value)}
+              placeholder="Add any notes about why you're resuming this workflow..."
+              className="min-h-[100px] text-sm"
+              disabled={submitting}
+            />
+            <p className="text-xs text-gray-500">
+              {notes.length} / 1000 characters
+            </p>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+
+        <DialogFooter>
+          <Button
+            variant="outline"
+            onClick={handleClose}
+            disabled={submitting}
+          >
+            Cancel
+          </Button>
+          <Button
+            onClick={handleSubmit}
+            disabled={submitting}
+            className="bg-green-600 hover:bg-green-700 text-white"
+          >
+            {submitting ? (
+              <>
+                <Loader2 className="w-4 h-4 mr-2 animate-spin" />
+                Resuming...
+              </>
+            ) : (
+              <>
+                <Play className="w-4 h-4 mr-2" />
+                Resume Workflow
+              </>
+            )}
+          </Button>
+        </DialogFooter>
+      </DialogContent>
+    </Dialog>
+  );
+}
+
diff --git a/src/hooks/useRequestDetails.ts b/src/hooks/useRequestDetails.ts
index 02e85ac..4cded42 100644
--- a/src/hooks/useRequestDetails.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/useRequestDetails.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
-import { useState, useEffect, useMemo } from 'react';
+import { useState, useEffect, useMemo, useCallback } from 'react';
 import workflowApi from '@/services/workflowApi';
 import { CUSTOM_REQUEST_DATABASE } from '@/utils/customRequestDatabase';
 import { CLAIM_MANAGEMENT_DATABASE } from '@/utils/claimManagementDatabase';
+import { getSocket } from '@/utils/socket';
 
 /**
  * Custom Hook: useRequestDetails
@@ -81,8 +82,10 @@ export function useRequestDetails(
    * 5. Filter out TAT warning activities from audit trail
    * 6. Update all state with transformed data
    * 7. Determine current user's approval level and spectator status
+   * 
+   * Note: Wrapped in useCallback to allow use in Socket.io listeners
    */
-  const refreshDetails = async () => {
+  const refreshDetails = useCallback(async () => {
     setRefreshing(true);
     try {
       // API Call: Fetch complete workflow details including approvals, documents, participants
@@ -309,7 +312,7 @@ export function useRequestDetails(
     } finally {
       setRefreshing(false);
     }
-  };
+  }, [requestIdentifier, user]); // useCallback dependencies
 
   /**
    * Effect: Initial data fetch when component mounts or requestIdentifier changes
@@ -620,6 +623,47 @@ export function useRequestDetails(
     return participants;
   }, [request]);
 
+  /**
+   * Effect: Listen for real-time request updates via Socket.io
+   * 
+   * Purpose: Auto-refresh request details when other users take actions
+   * 
+   * Listens for:
+   * - 'request:updated' - Any action that changes the request (approve, reject, pause, resume, skip, etc.)
+   * 
+   * Behavior:
+   * - Silently refreshes data in background
+   * - Doesn't interrupt user actions
+   * - Updates all tabs with latest data
+   */
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!requestIdentifier || !apiRequest) return;
+    
+    const socket = getSocket();
+    if (!socket) return;
+    
+    /**
+     * Handler: Request updated by another user
+     * Silently refresh to show latest changes
+     */
+    const handleRequestUpdated = (data: any) => {
+      // Verify this update is for the current request
+      if (data?.requestId === apiRequest.requestId || data?.requestNumber === requestIdentifier) {
+        console.log('[useRequestDetails] 🔄 Request updated remotely, refreshing silently...');
+        // Silent refresh - no loading state, no user interruption
+        refreshDetails();
+      }
+    };
+    
+    // Register listener
+    socket.on('request:updated', handleRequestUpdated);
+    
+    // Cleanup on unmount
+    return () => {
+      socket.off('request:updated', handleRequestUpdated);
+    };
+  }, [requestIdentifier, apiRequest, refreshDetails]);
+
   return {
     request,
     apiRequest,
diff --git a/src/pages/CreateRequest/utils/payloadBuilders.ts b/src/pages/CreateRequest/utils/payloadBuilders.ts
index 8e9d2e5..5688757 100644
--- a/src/pages/CreateRequest/utils/payloadBuilders.ts
+++ b/src/pages/CreateRequest/utils/payloadBuilders.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 /**
  * Utility functions for building API payloads
+ * Simplified: Backend auto-generates participants from approvers and spectators
  */
 
 import { FormData, RequestTemplate } from '@/hooks/useCreateRequestForm';
@@ -7,29 +8,23 @@ import {
   CreateWorkflowPayload,
   UpdateWorkflowPayload,
 } from '../types/createRequest.types';
-import {
-  buildParticipantsArray,
-  filterDuplicateParticipants,
-} from './participantMappers';
 import { buildApprovalLevels } from './approvalLevelBuilders';
 
 /**
  * Build create workflow payload
+ * Backend will auto-generate participants array from approvers and spectators
  */
 export function buildCreatePayload(
   formData: FormData,
   selectedTemplate: RequestTemplate | null,
   user: any
 ): CreateWorkflowPayload {
-  const participants = buildParticipantsArray(
-    user,
-    formData.approvers || [],
-    formData.spectators || []
+  // Filter out spectators who are also approvers (backend will handle validation)
+  const approverEmails = new Set(
+    (formData.approvers || []).map((a: any) => a?.email?.toLowerCase()).filter(Boolean)
   );
-
-  const filteredSpectators = filterDuplicateParticipants(
-    formData.approvers || [],
-    formData.spectators || []
+  const filteredSpectators = (formData.spectators || []).filter(
+    (s: any) => s?.email && !approverEmails.has(s.email.toLowerCase())
   );
 
   return {
@@ -47,21 +42,16 @@ export function buildCreatePayload(
       tatType: a?.tatType || 'hours',
     })),
     spectators: filteredSpectators.map((s) => ({
-      userId: s?.id || '',
-      name: s?.name || s?.email?.split('@')?.[0] || 'Spectator',
       email: s?.email || '',
     })),
-    ccList: (formData.ccList || []).map((c: any) => ({
-      id: c?.id,
-      name: c?.name || c?.email?.split('@')?.[0] || 'CC',
-      email: c?.email || '',
-    })),
-    participants,
+    // Note: participants array is auto-generated by backend
+    // No need to send it from frontend
   };
 }
 
 /**
  * Build update workflow payload
+ * Backend will auto-generate participants array from approvalLevels
  */
 export function buildUpdatePayload(
   formData: FormData,
@@ -73,24 +63,19 @@ export function buildUpdatePayload(
     formData.approverCount || 1
   );
 
-  const participants = buildParticipantsArray(
-    user,
-    (formData.approvers || []).filter((a: any) => a?.email && a?.userId),
-    (formData.spectators || []).filter((s: any) => s?.email)
-  );
-
   return {
     title: formData.title,
     description: formData.description,
     priority: formData.priority === 'express' ? 'EXPRESS' : 'STANDARD',
     approvalLevels,
-    participants,
+    // Note: participants array is auto-generated by backend
     deleteDocumentIds: documentsToDelete.length > 0 ? documentsToDelete : undefined,
   };
 }
 
 /**
  * Validate approvers before submission
+ * Simplified: Only check for valid emails (backend handles user lookup)
  */
 export function validateApproversForSubmission(
   approvers: any[],
@@ -98,14 +83,28 @@ export function validateApproversForSubmission(
 ): { valid: boolean; message?: string } {
   const approversToCheck = approvers.slice(0, approverCount);
   
-  const hasMissingIds = approversToCheck.some(
-    (a: any) => !a?.userId || !a?.email
+  // Check if all approvers have valid emails
+  const hasMissingEmails = approversToCheck.some(
+    (a: any) => !a?.email || !a.email.trim()
   );
 
-  if (hasMissingIds) {
+  if (hasMissingEmails) {
     return {
       valid: false,
-      message: 'Please select approvers using @ search so we can capture their user IDs.',
+      message: 'Please provide email addresses for all approvers.',
+    };
+  }
+
+  // Validate email format
+  const emailRegex = /^[^\s@]+@[^\s@]+\.[^\s@]+$/;
+  const hasInvalidEmails = approversToCheck.some(
+    (a: any) => !emailRegex.test(a?.email || '')
+  );
+
+  if (hasInvalidEmails) {
+    return {
+      valid: false,
+      message: 'Please provide valid email addresses for all approvers.',
     };
   }
 
diff --git a/src/pages/RequestDetail/RequestDetail.tsx b/src/pages/RequestDetail/RequestDetail.tsx
index bb8c545..9ac74e8 100644
--- a/src/pages/RequestDetail/RequestDetail.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/RequestDetail/RequestDetail.tsx
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ import { downloadDocument } from '@/services/workflowApi';
 // Components
 import { RequestDetailHeader } from './components/RequestDetailHeader';
 import { ShareSummaryModal } from '@/components/modals/ShareSummaryModal';
-import { createSummary, getSummaryDetails, type SummaryDetails } from '@/services/summaryApi';
+import { getSummaryDetails, type SummaryDetails } from '@/services/summaryApi';
 import { toast } from 'sonner';
 import { OverviewTab } from './components/tabs/OverviewTab';
 import { WorkflowTab } from './components/tabs/WorkflowTab';
@@ -53,8 +53,8 @@ import { QuickActionsSidebar } from './components/QuickActionsSidebar';
 import { RequestDetailModals } from './components/RequestDetailModals';
 import { RequestDetailProps } from './types/requestDetail.types';
 import { PauseModal } from '@/components/workflow/PauseModal';
+import { ResumeModal } from '@/components/workflow/ResumeModal';
 import { RetriggerPauseModal } from '@/components/workflow/RetriggerPauseModal';
-import { resumeWorkflow } from '@/services/workflowApi';
 
 /**
  * Error Boundary Component
@@ -112,6 +112,7 @@ function RequestDetailInner({ requestId: propRequestId, onBack, dynamicRequests
   const [loadingSummary, setLoadingSummary] = useState(false);
   const [sharedRecipientsRefreshTrigger, setSharedRecipientsRefreshTrigger] = useState(0);
   const [showPauseModal, setShowPauseModal] = useState(false);
+  const [showResumeModal, setShowResumeModal] = useState(false);
   const [showRetriggerModal, setShowRetriggerModal] = useState(false);
   const { user } = useAuth();
 
@@ -198,24 +199,13 @@ function RequestDetailInner({ requestId: propRequestId, onBack, dynamicRequests
     setShowPauseModal(true);
   };
 
-  const [resuming, setResuming] = useState(false);
+  const handleResume = () => {
+    setShowResumeModal(true);
+  };
 
-  const handleResume = async () => {
-    if (!apiRequest?.requestId) {
-      toast.error('Request ID not found');
-      return;
-    }
-    try {
-      setResuming(true);
-      await resumeWorkflow(apiRequest.requestId);
-      toast.success('Workflow resumed successfully');
-      // Wait for refresh to complete before clearing loading state
-      await refreshDetails();
-    } catch (error: any) {
-      toast.error(error?.response?.data?.error || 'Failed to resume workflow');
-    } finally {
-      setResuming(false);
-    }
+  const handleResumeSuccess = async () => {
+    // Wait for refresh to complete to show updated status
+    await refreshDetails();
   };
 
   const handleRetrigger = () => {
@@ -238,31 +228,14 @@ function RequestDetailInner({ requestId: propRequestId, onBack, dynamicRequests
       return;
     }
 
-    try {
-      // Get or create summary (backend returns existing summary if it exists - idempotent)
-      // Summary should already exist from closure, but create if missing (handles edge cases)
-      let currentSummaryId = summaryId;
-      if (!currentSummaryId) {
-        const summary = await createSummary(apiRequest.requestId);
-        currentSummaryId = summary.summaryId;
-        setSummaryId(currentSummaryId);
-        // Refresh summary details after creating
-        try {
-          const details = await getSummaryDetails(currentSummaryId);
-          setSummaryDetails(details);
-        } catch (error) {
-          console.error('Failed to fetch summary details after creation:', error);
-        }
-      }
-      // Open share modal with the summary ID (only after we have the ID)
-      if (currentSummaryId) {
-        setShowShareSummaryModal(true);
-      }
-    } catch (error: any) {
-      console.error('Failed to create/get summary:', error);
-      const errorMessage = error?.response?.data?.error || error?.response?.data?.message || error?.message;
-      toast.error(errorMessage || 'Failed to prepare summary for sharing');
+    if (!summaryId) {
+      toast.error('Summary not available. Please ensure the request is closed and the summary has been generated.');
+      return;
     }
+
+    // Open share modal with the existing summary ID
+    // Summary should already exist from closure (auto-created by backend)
+    setShowShareSummaryModal(true);
   };
 
   const needsClosure = (request?.status === 'approved' || request?.status === 'rejected') && isInitiator;
@@ -271,7 +244,7 @@ function RequestDetailInner({ requestId: propRequestId, onBack, dynamicRequests
   const isClosed = request?.status === 'closed' || (request?.status === 'approved' && !isInitiator) || (request?.status === 'rejected' && !isInitiator);
 
   // Fetch summary details if request is closed
-  // Summary should be automatically created when request is closed, but we'll create it if missing (idempotent)
+  // Summary is automatically created by backend when request is closed (on final approval)
   useEffect(() => {
     const fetchSummaryDetails = async () => {
       if (!isClosed || !apiRequest?.requestId) {
@@ -282,9 +255,11 @@ function RequestDetailInner({ requestId: propRequestId, onBack, dynamicRequests
 
       try {
         setLoadingSummary(true);
-        // Use createSummary which is idempotent - returns existing summary if it exists, creates if missing
-        // This handles cases where summary creation failed during closure or was not created yet
-        const summary = await createSummary(apiRequest.requestId);
+        // Just fetch the summary by requestId - don't try to create it
+        // Summary is auto-created by backend on final approval/rejection
+        const { getSummaryByRequestId } = await import('@/services/summaryApi');
+        const summary = await getSummaryByRequestId(apiRequest.requestId);
+        
         if (summary?.summaryId) {
           setSummaryId(summary.summaryId);
           // Fetch full summary details
@@ -292,18 +267,17 @@ function RequestDetailInner({ requestId: propRequestId, onBack, dynamicRequests
             const details = await getSummaryDetails(summary.summaryId);
             setSummaryDetails(details);
           } catch (error: any) {
-            // If we can't get details, clear summary
             console.error('Failed to fetch summary details:', error);
             setSummaryDetails(null);
             setSummaryId(null);
           }
         } else {
+          // Summary doesn't exist yet - this is normal if request just closed
           setSummaryDetails(null);
           setSummaryId(null);
         }
       } catch (error: any) {
-        // If summary creation fails, don't show tab but log error
-        console.error('Summary not available:', error?.message);
+        // Summary not found - this is OK, summary may not exist yet
         setSummaryDetails(null);
         setSummaryId(null);
       } finally {
@@ -593,7 +567,6 @@ function RequestDetailInner({ requestId: propRequestId, onBack, dynamicRequests
                   refreshTrigger={sharedRecipientsRefreshTrigger}
                   pausedByUserId={request?.pauseInfo?.pausedBy?.userId}
                   currentUserId={(user as any)?.userId}
-                  resuming={resuming}
                 />
               )}
             </div>
@@ -627,6 +600,15 @@ function RequestDetailInner({ requestId: propRequestId, onBack, dynamicRequests
         />
       )}
 
+      {showResumeModal && apiRequest?.requestId && (
+        <ResumeModal
+          isOpen={showResumeModal}
+          onClose={() => setShowResumeModal(false)}
+          requestId={apiRequest.requestId}
+          onSuccess={handleResumeSuccess}
+        />
+      )}
+
       {showRetriggerModal && apiRequest?.requestId && (
         <RetriggerPauseModal
           isOpen={showRetriggerModal}
diff --git a/src/pages/RequestDetail/components/QuickActionsSidebar.tsx b/src/pages/RequestDetail/components/QuickActionsSidebar.tsx
index fe38cf9..4271f44 100644
--- a/src/pages/RequestDetail/components/QuickActionsSidebar.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/RequestDetail/components/QuickActionsSidebar.tsx
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
 import { Card, CardContent, CardHeader, CardTitle } from '@/components/ui/card';
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
 import { Avatar, AvatarFallback } from '@/components/ui/avatar';
-import { UserPlus, Eye, CheckCircle, XCircle, Share2, Pause, Play, AlertCircle, Loader2 } from 'lucide-react';
+import { UserPlus, Eye, CheckCircle, XCircle, Share2, Pause, Play, AlertCircle } from 'lucide-react';
 import { getSharedRecipients, type SharedRecipient } from '@/services/summaryApi';
 
 interface QuickActionsSidebarProps {
@@ -23,9 +23,8 @@ interface QuickActionsSidebarProps {
   onRetrigger?: () => void;
   summaryId?: string | null;
   refreshTrigger?: number; // Trigger to refresh shared recipients list
-  pausedByUserId?: string; // User ID of the approver who paused
-  currentUserId?: string; // Current user's ID
-  resuming?: boolean; // Loading state for resume action
+  pausedByUserId?: string; // User ID of the approver who paused (kept for backwards compatibility)
+  currentUserId?: string; // Current user's ID (kept for backwards compatibility)
 }
 
 export function QuickActionsSidebar({
@@ -42,19 +41,17 @@ export function QuickActionsSidebar({
   onRetrigger,
   summaryId,
   refreshTrigger,
-  pausedByUserId,
-  currentUserId,
-  resuming = false,
 }: QuickActionsSidebarProps) {
   const [sharedRecipients, setSharedRecipients] = useState<SharedRecipient[]>([]);
   const [loadingRecipients, setLoadingRecipients] = useState(false);
   const isClosed = request?.status === 'closed';
   const isPaused = request?.pauseInfo?.isPaused || false;
-  const canPause = !isPaused && !isClosed && currentApprovalLevel; // Only approver can pause
-  // Only the approver who paused can resume directly (not initiators)
-  const canResume = isPaused && onResume && !isInitiator && pausedByUserId === currentUserId;
-  // Initiators can request resume (retrigger) when workflow is paused
-  const canRetrigger = isPaused && isInitiator && onRetrigger;
+  // Both approver AND initiator can pause (when not already paused and not closed)
+  const canPause = !isPaused && !isClosed && (currentApprovalLevel || isInitiator);
+  // Both approver AND initiator can resume directly
+  const canResume = isPaused && onResume && (currentApprovalLevel || isInitiator);
+  // Retrigger is no longer needed since initiator can resume directly
+  const canRetrigger = false; // Disabled - kept for backwards compatibility
 
   // Fetch shared recipients when request is closed and summaryId is available
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -132,20 +129,10 @@ export function QuickActionsSidebar({
                 variant="outline"
                 className="w-full justify-start gap-2 bg-white text-green-700 border-green-300 hover:bg-green-50 hover:text-green-900 h-9 sm:h-10 text-xs sm:text-sm"
                 onClick={onResume}
-                disabled={resuming}
                 data-testid="resume-workflow-button"
               >
-                {resuming ? (
-                  <>
-                    <Loader2 className="w-3.5 h-3.5 sm:w-4 sm:h-4 animate-spin" />
-                    Resuming...
-                  </>
-                ) : (
-                  <>
                 <Play className="w-3.5 h-3.5 sm:w-4 sm:h-4" />
                 Resume Workflow
-                  </>
-                )}
               </Button>
             )}
 
diff --git a/src/pages/RequestDetail/components/tabs/OverviewTab.tsx b/src/pages/RequestDetail/components/tabs/OverviewTab.tsx
index 9400c94..23bf306 100644
--- a/src/pages/RequestDetail/components/tabs/OverviewTab.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/RequestDetail/components/tabs/OverviewTab.tsx
@@ -52,13 +52,14 @@ export function OverviewTab({
   currentUserId,
 }: OverviewTabProps) {
   void _onPause; // Marked as intentionally unused - available for future use
+  void pausedByUserId; // Kept for backwards compatibility
+  void currentUserId; // Kept for backwards compatibility
   const pauseInfo = request?.pauseInfo;
   const isPaused = pauseInfo?.isPaused || false;
-  // Only the approver who paused can resume directly
-  // Initiators can only request resume via retrigger
-  const canResume = isPaused && (currentUserIsApprover && pausedByUserId === currentUserId);
-  // Initiators can request resume (retrigger) when workflow is paused
-  const canRetrigger = isPaused && isInitiator;
+  // Both approver AND initiator can resume directly
+  const canResume = isPaused && (currentUserIsApprover || isInitiator);
+  // Retrigger is no longer needed since initiator can resume directly
+  const canRetrigger = false; // Disabled - kept for backwards compatibility
   return (
     <div className="space-y-4 sm:space-y-6" data-testid="overview-tab-content">
       {/* Request Initiator Card */}
diff --git a/src/services/workflowApi.ts b/src/services/workflowApi.ts
index cfaead2..f414b5b 100644
--- a/src/services/workflowApi.ts
+++ b/src/services/workflowApi.ts
@@ -110,36 +110,38 @@ export async function createWorkflowFromForm(form: CreateWorkflowFromFormPayload
 }
 
 export async function createWorkflowMultipart(form: CreateWorkflowFromFormPayload, files: File[], category: 'SUPPORTING' | 'APPROVAL' | 'REFERENCE' | 'FINAL' | 'OTHER' = 'SUPPORTING') {
-  const isUuid = (v: any) => typeof v === 'string' && /^[0-9a-fA-F]{8}-[0-9a-fA-F]{4}-[1-5][0-9a-fA-F]{3}-[89abAB][0-9a-fA-F]{3}-[0-9a-fA-F]{12}$/.test(v.trim());
-
+  // Simplified payload - backend handles user lookup and participant generation
   const payload: any = {
     templateType: form.templateType,
     title: form.title,
     description: form.description,
     priority: form.priorityUi.toUpperCase() === 'EXPRESS' ? 'EXPRESS' : 'STANDARD',
-    approvalLevels: Array.from({ length: form.approverCount || 1 }, (_, i) => {
+    // Simplified approvers format - only email and tatHours required
+    approvers: Array.from({ length: form.approverCount || 1 }, (_, i) => {
       const a = form.approvers[i] || ({} as any);
       const tat = typeof a.tat === 'number' ? a.tat : 0;
-      const approverId = (a.userId || '').trim();
-      if (!isUuid(approverId)) {
-        throw new Error(`Invalid approverId for level ${i + 1}. Please pick an approver via @ search.`);
+      
+      if (!a.email || !a.email.trim()) {
+        throw new Error(`Email is required for approver at level ${i + 1}.`);
       }
+      
       return {
-        levelNumber: i + 1,
-        levelName: `Level ${i + 1}`,
-        approverId,
-        approverEmail: a.email || '',
-        approverName: a.name || (a.email ? a.email.split('@')[0] : `Approver ${i + 1}`),
-        tatHours: a.tatType === 'days' ? tat * 24 : tat || 24,
-        isFinalApprover: i + 1 === (form.approverCount || 1),
+        email: a.email,
+        tat: tat,
+        tatType: a.tatType || 'hours',
       };
     }),
   };
-  // Pass participants if provided by caller (CreateRequest builds this)
-  const incomingParticipants = (form as any).participants;
-  if (Array.isArray(incomingParticipants) && incomingParticipants.length) {
-    payload.participants = incomingParticipants;
+  
+  // Add spectators if any (simplified - only email required)
+  if (form.spectators && form.spectators.length > 0) {
+    payload.spectators = form.spectators
+      .filter((s: any) => s?.email)
+      .map((s: any) => ({ email: s.email }));
   }
+  
+  // Note: participants array is auto-generated by backend from approvers and spectators
+  // No need to build or send it from frontend
 
   const formData = new FormData();
   formData.append('payload', JSON.stringify(payload));
@@ -338,8 +340,8 @@ export async function pauseWorkflow(
   return res.data?.data || res.data;
 }
 
-export async function resumeWorkflow(requestId: string) {
-  const res = await apiClient.post(`/workflows/${requestId}/resume`);
+export async function resumeWorkflow(requestId: string, notes?: string) {
+  const res = await apiClient.post(`/workflows/${requestId}/resume`, { notes });
   return res.data?.data || res.data;
 }