diff --git a/alerts_api.go b/alerts_api.go
index 656e319..055077d 100644
--- a/alerts_api.go
+++ b/alerts_api.go
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ func (s *Server) saveChannel(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, sc alertSco
 	}
 	s.save()
 	s.audit(sc.org, sc.actor, "alert.channel.save", in.Name)
-	ok(w)
+	writeJSON(w, 200, map[string]any{"ok": true, "id": in.ID})
 }
 
 func (s *Server) deleteChannel(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, sc alertScope) {
diff --git a/docs/api-automation.md b/docs/api-automation.md
index e8d7036..4a287e8 100644
--- a/docs/api-automation.md
+++ b/docs/api-automation.md
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ level, and a server key has no user, so `/api/me` and other per-user routes refu
 | `GET /api/edges` was session-only | accepts keys; an org key sees the edges its org may use |
 | No way to list orgs with a key | `GET /api/orgs` |
 | Key creation did not return the key's ID | create response now has `id` as well as `key` |
+| Creating an alert channel returned only `{ok:true}` | response now includes the channel `id` |
 | `createOrg` added the caller as a member | skipped for server keys (they have no user) |
 
 ## Known remaining gaps (not blocking scripting)