diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/engines/components/empty_state.test.tsx b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/engines/components/empty_state.test.tsx
index a737174477177..222041c9f85a3 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/engines/components/empty_state.test.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/engines/components/empty_state.test.tsx
@@ -14,27 +14,37 @@ import { shallow, ShallowWrapper } from 'enzyme';
 
 import { EuiEmptyPrompt } from '@elastic/eui';
 
+import { SampleEngineCreationCta } from '../../sample_engine_creation_cta';
+
 import { EmptyState } from './';
 
 describe('EmptyState', () => {
   describe('when the user can manage/create engines', () => {
     let wrapper: ShallowWrapper;
+    let prompt: ShallowWrapper;
 
     beforeAll(() => {
       setMockValues({ myRole: { canManageEngines: true } });
       wrapper = shallow(<EmptyState />);
+      prompt = wrapper.find(EuiEmptyPrompt).dive();
+    });
+
+    afterAll(() => {
+      jest.clearAllMocks();
     });
 
     it('renders a prompt to create an engine', () => {
       expect(wrapper.find('[data-test-subj="AdminEmptyEnginesPrompt"]')).toHaveLength(1);
     });
 
+    it('contains a sample engine CTA', () => {
+      expect(prompt.find(SampleEngineCreationCta)).toHaveLength(1);
+    });
+
     describe('create engine button', () => {
-      let prompt: ShallowWrapper;
       let button: ShallowWrapper;
 
       beforeAll(() => {
-        prompt = wrapper.find(EuiEmptyPrompt).dive();
         button = prompt.find('[data-test-subj="EmptyStateCreateFirstEngineCta"]');
       });
 
@@ -50,13 +60,18 @@ describe('EmptyState', () => {
   });
 
   describe('when the user cannot manage/create engines', () => {
+    let wrapper: ShallowWrapper;
+
     beforeAll(() => {
       setMockValues({ myRole: { canManageEngines: false } });
+      wrapper = shallow(<EmptyState />);
     });
 
-    it('renders a prompt to contact the App Search admin', () => {
-      const wrapper = shallow(<EmptyState />);
+    afterAll(() => {
+      jest.clearAllMocks();
+    });
 
+    it('renders a prompt to contact the App Search admin', () => {
       expect(wrapper.find('[data-test-subj="NonAdminEmptyEnginesPrompt"]')).toHaveLength(1);
     });
   });
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/engines/components/empty_state.tsx b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/engines/components/empty_state.tsx
index df5a057e5d9c6..37c67c1f8d6f2 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/engines/components/empty_state.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/engines/components/empty_state.tsx
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import React from 'react';
 
 import { useValues, useActions } from 'kea';
 
-import { EuiPageContent, EuiEmptyPrompt } from '@elastic/eui';
+import { EuiPageContent, EuiEmptyPrompt, EuiSpacer } from '@elastic/eui';
 import { i18n } from '@kbn/i18n';
 
 import { SetAppSearchChrome as SetPageChrome } from '../../../../shared/kibana_chrome';
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ import { TelemetryLogic } from '../../../../shared/telemetry';
 import { AppLogic } from '../../../app_logic';
 import { ENGINE_CREATION_PATH } from '../../../routes';
 
+import { SampleEngineCreationCta } from '../../sample_engine_creation_cta/sample_engine_creation_cta';
+
 import { EnginesOverviewHeader } from './header';
 
 import './empty_state.scss';
@@ -55,22 +57,26 @@ export const EmptyState: React.FC = () => {
               </p>
             }
             actions={
-              <EuiButtonTo
-                data-test-subj="EmptyStateCreateFirstEngineCta"
-                fill
-                to={ENGINE_CREATION_PATH}
-                onClick={() =>
-                  sendAppSearchTelemetry({
-                    action: 'clicked',
-                    metric: 'create_first_engine_button',
-                  })
-                }
-              >
-                {i18n.translate(
-                  'xpack.enterpriseSearch.appSearch.emptyState.createFirstEngineCta',
-                  { defaultMessage: 'Create an engine' }
-                )}
-              </EuiButtonTo>
+              <>
+                <EuiButtonTo
+                  data-test-subj="EmptyStateCreateFirstEngineCta"
+                  fill
+                  to={ENGINE_CREATION_PATH}
+                  onClick={() =>
+                    sendAppSearchTelemetry({
+                      action: 'clicked',
+                      metric: 'create_first_engine_button',
+                    })
+                  }
+                >
+                  {i18n.translate(
+                    'xpack.enterpriseSearch.appSearch.emptyState.createFirstEngineCta',
+                    { defaultMessage: 'Create an engine' }
+                  )}
+                </EuiButtonTo>
+                <EuiSpacer size="xl" />
+                <SampleEngineCreationCta />
+              </>
             }
           />
         ) : (
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/sample_engine_creation_cta/i18n.ts b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/sample_engine_creation_cta/i18n.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..229a26b0fb360
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/sample_engine_creation_cta/i18n.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright Elasticsearch B.V. and/or licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements. Licensed under the Elastic License
+ * 2.0; you may not use this file except in compliance with the Elastic License
+ * 2.0.
+ */
+
+import { i18n } from '@kbn/i18n';
+
+export const SAMPLE_ENGINE_CREATION_CTA_TITLE = i18n.translate(
+  'xpack.enterpriseSearch.appSearch.sampleEngineCreationCta.title',
+  {
+    defaultMessage: 'Just kicking the tires?',
+  }
+);
+
+export const SAMPLE_ENGINE_CREATION_CTA_DESCRIPTION = i18n.translate(
+  'xpack.enterpriseSearch.appSearch.sampleEngineCreationCta.description',
+  {
+    defaultMessage: 'Test an engine with sample data.',
+  }
+);
+
+export const SAMPLE_ENGINE_CREATION_CTA_BUTTON_LABEL = i18n.translate(
+  'xpack.enterpriseSearch.appSearch.sampleEngineCreationCta.buttonLabel',
+  {
+    defaultMessage: 'Try a sample engine',
+  }
+);
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/sample_engine_creation_cta/index.ts b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/sample_engine_creation_cta/index.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..fa11abd19a2db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/sample_engine_creation_cta/index.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright Elasticsearch B.V. and/or licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements. Licensed under the Elastic License
+ * 2.0; you may not use this file except in compliance with the Elastic License
+ * 2.0.
+ */
+
+export { SampleEngineCreationCta } from './sample_engine_creation_cta';
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/sample_engine_creation_cta/sample_engine_creation_cta.test.tsx b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/sample_engine_creation_cta/sample_engine_creation_cta.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..992afe4356a07
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/sample_engine_creation_cta/sample_engine_creation_cta.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright Elasticsearch B.V. and/or licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements. Licensed under the Elastic License
+ * 2.0; you may not use this file except in compliance with the Elastic License
+ * 2.0.
+ */
+
+import '../../../__mocks__/enterprise_search_url.mock';
+import { setMockActions, setMockValues } from '../../../__mocks__';
+
+import React from 'react';
+
+import { shallow } from 'enzyme';
+
+import { EuiButton } from '@elastic/eui';
+
+import { SampleEngineCreationCta } from './sample_engine_creation_cta';
+
+describe('SampleEngineCTA', () => {
+  describe('CTA button', () => {
+    const MOCK_VALUES = {
+      isLoading: false,
+    };
+
+    const MOCK_ACTIONS = {
+      createSampleEngine: jest.fn(),
+    };
+
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      jest.clearAllMocks();
+      setMockActions(MOCK_ACTIONS);
+      setMockValues(MOCK_VALUES);
+    });
+
+    it('calls createSampleEngine on click', () => {
+      const wrapper = shallow(<SampleEngineCreationCta />);
+      const ctaButton = wrapper.find(EuiButton);
+
+      expect(ctaButton.props().onClick).toEqual(MOCK_ACTIONS.createSampleEngine);
+    });
+
+    it('is enabled by default', () => {
+      const wrapper = shallow(<SampleEngineCreationCta />);
+      const ctaButton = wrapper.find(EuiButton);
+
+      expect(ctaButton.props().isLoading).toEqual(false);
+    });
+
+    it('is disabled while loading', () => {
+      setMockValues({ ...MOCK_VALUES, isLoading: true });
+      const wrapper = shallow(<SampleEngineCreationCta />);
+      const ctaButton = wrapper.find(EuiButton);
+
+      expect(ctaButton.props().isLoading).toEqual(true);
+    });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/sample_engine_creation_cta/sample_engine_creation_cta.tsx b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/sample_engine_creation_cta/sample_engine_creation_cta.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..8de6b6030ef66
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/sample_engine_creation_cta/sample_engine_creation_cta.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright Elasticsearch B.V. and/or licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements. Licensed under the Elastic License
+ * 2.0; you may not use this file except in compliance with the Elastic License
+ * 2.0.
+ */
+
+import React from 'react';
+
+import { useActions, useValues } from 'kea';
+
+import { EuiPanel, EuiFlexGroup, EuiFlexItem, EuiTitle, EuiText, EuiButton } from '@elastic/eui';
+
+import {
+  SAMPLE_ENGINE_CREATION_CTA_TITLE,
+  SAMPLE_ENGINE_CREATION_CTA_DESCRIPTION,
+  SAMPLE_ENGINE_CREATION_CTA_BUTTON_LABEL,
+} from './i18n';
+import { SampleEngineCreationCtaLogic } from './sample_engine_creation_cta_logic';
+
+export const SampleEngineCreationCta: React.FC = () => {
+  const { isLoading } = useValues(SampleEngineCreationCtaLogic);
+  const { createSampleEngine } = useActions(SampleEngineCreationCtaLogic);
+
+  return (
+    <EuiPanel>
+      <EuiFlexGroup alignItems="center">
+        <EuiFlexItem>
+          <EuiTitle size="s">
+            <h3>{SAMPLE_ENGINE_CREATION_CTA_TITLE}</h3>
+          </EuiTitle>
+          <EuiText size="s">
+            <p>{SAMPLE_ENGINE_CREATION_CTA_DESCRIPTION}</p>
+          </EuiText>
+        </EuiFlexItem>
+        <EuiFlexItem grow={false}>
+          <EuiButton onClick={createSampleEngine} isLoading={isLoading}>
+            {SAMPLE_ENGINE_CREATION_CTA_BUTTON_LABEL}
+          </EuiButton>
+        </EuiFlexItem>
+      </EuiFlexGroup>
+    </EuiPanel>
+  );
+};
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/sample_engine_creation_cta/sample_engine_creation_cta_logic.test.ts b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/sample_engine_creation_cta/sample_engine_creation_cta_logic.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..740c4df697d68
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/sample_engine_creation_cta/sample_engine_creation_cta_logic.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright Elasticsearch B.V. and/or licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements. Licensed under the Elastic License
+ * 2.0; you may not use this file except in compliance with the Elastic License
+ * 2.0.
+ */
+
+import {
+  LogicMounter,
+  mockHttpValues,
+  mockKibanaValues,
+  mockFlashMessageHelpers,
+} from '../../../__mocks__';
+
+import { nextTick } from '@kbn/test/jest';
+
+import { SampleEngineCreationCtaLogic } from './sample_engine_creation_cta_logic';
+
+describe('SampleEngineCreationCtaLogic', () => {
+  const { mount } = new LogicMounter(SampleEngineCreationCtaLogic);
+  const { http } = mockHttpValues;
+  const { navigateToUrl } = mockKibanaValues;
+  const { setQueuedSuccessMessage, flashAPIErrors } = mockFlashMessageHelpers;
+
+  const DEFAULT_VALUES = {
+    isLoading: false,
+  };
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    jest.clearAllMocks();
+    mount();
+  });
+
+  it('has expected default values', () => {
+    expect(SampleEngineCreationCtaLogic.values).toEqual(DEFAULT_VALUES);
+  });
+
+  describe('actions', () => {
+    it('onSampleEngineCreationFailure sets isLoading to false', () => {
+      mount({ isLoading: true });
+
+      SampleEngineCreationCtaLogic.actions.onSampleEngineCreationFailure();
+
+      expect(SampleEngineCreationCtaLogic.values.isLoading).toEqual(false);
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('listeners', () => {
+    describe('createSampleEngine', () => {
+      it('POSTS to /api/app_search/engines', () => {
+        const body = JSON.stringify({
+          seed_sample_engine: true,
+        });
+        SampleEngineCreationCtaLogic.actions.createSampleEngine();
+
+        expect(http.post).toHaveBeenCalledWith('/api/app_search/onboarding_complete', { body });
+      });
+
+      it('calls onSampleEngineCreationSuccess on valid submission', async () => {
+        jest.spyOn(SampleEngineCreationCtaLogic.actions, 'onSampleEngineCreationSuccess');
+        http.post.mockReturnValueOnce(Promise.resolve({}));
+
+        SampleEngineCreationCtaLogic.actions.createSampleEngine();
+        await nextTick();
+
+        expect(
+          SampleEngineCreationCtaLogic.actions.onSampleEngineCreationSuccess
+        ).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+      });
+
+      it('calls onSampleEngineCreationFailure and flashAPIErrors on API Error', async () => {
+        jest.spyOn(SampleEngineCreationCtaLogic.actions, 'onSampleEngineCreationFailure');
+        http.post.mockReturnValueOnce(Promise.reject());
+
+        SampleEngineCreationCtaLogic.actions.createSampleEngine();
+        await nextTick();
+
+        expect(flashAPIErrors).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+        expect(
+          SampleEngineCreationCtaLogic.actions.onSampleEngineCreationFailure
+        ).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+      });
+    });
+
+    it('onSampleEngineCreationSuccess should set a success message and navigate the user to the engine page', () => {
+      SampleEngineCreationCtaLogic.actions.onSampleEngineCreationSuccess();
+
+      expect(setQueuedSuccessMessage).toHaveBeenCalledWith('Successfully created engine.');
+      expect(navigateToUrl).toHaveBeenCalledWith('/engines/national-parks-demo');
+    });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/sample_engine_creation_cta/sample_engine_creation_cta_logic.ts b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/sample_engine_creation_cta/sample_engine_creation_cta_logic.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..37570d4e3cfe7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/public/applications/app_search/components/sample_engine_creation_cta/sample_engine_creation_cta_logic.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright Elasticsearch B.V. and/or licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements. Licensed under the Elastic License
+ * 2.0; you may not use this file except in compliance with the Elastic License
+ * 2.0.
+ */
+
+import { generatePath } from 'react-router-dom';
+
+import { kea, MakeLogicType } from 'kea';
+
+import { flashAPIErrors, setQueuedSuccessMessage } from '../../../shared/flash_messages';
+import { HttpLogic } from '../../../shared/http';
+import { KibanaLogic } from '../../../shared/kibana';
+import { ENGINE_PATH } from '../../routes';
+import { ENGINE_CREATION_SUCCESS_MESSAGE } from '../engine_creation/constants';
+
+interface SampleEngineCreationCtaActions {
+  createSampleEngine(): void;
+  onSampleEngineCreationSuccess(): void;
+  onSampleEngineCreationFailure(): void;
+  setIsLoading(isLoading: boolean): { isLoading: boolean };
+}
+
+interface SampleEngineCreationCtaValues {
+  isLoading: boolean;
+}
+
+export const SampleEngineCreationCtaLogic = kea<
+  MakeLogicType<SampleEngineCreationCtaValues, SampleEngineCreationCtaActions>
+>({
+  path: ['enterprise_search', 'app_search', 'sample_engine_cta_logic'],
+  actions: {
+    createSampleEngine: true,
+    onSampleEngineCreationSuccess: true,
+    onSampleEngineCreationFailure: true,
+  },
+  reducers: {
+    isLoading: [
+      false,
+      {
+        createSampleEngine: () => true,
+        onSampleEngineCreationSuccess: () => false,
+        onSampleEngineCreationFailure: () => false,
+      },
+    ],
+  },
+  listeners: ({ actions }) => ({
+    createSampleEngine: async () => {
+      const { http } = HttpLogic.values;
+
+      const body = JSON.stringify({ seed_sample_engine: true });
+
+      try {
+        await http.post('/api/app_search/onboarding_complete', {
+          body,
+        });
+        actions.onSampleEngineCreationSuccess();
+      } catch (e) {
+        actions.onSampleEngineCreationFailure();
+        flashAPIErrors(e);
+      }
+    },
+    onSampleEngineCreationSuccess: () => {
+      const { navigateToUrl } = KibanaLogic.values;
+      const enginePath = generatePath(ENGINE_PATH, { engineName: 'national-parks-demo' });
+
+      setQueuedSuccessMessage(ENGINE_CREATION_SUCCESS_MESSAGE);
+      navigateToUrl(enginePath);
+    },
+  }),
+});
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/server/lib/enterprise_search_request_handler.test.ts b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/server/lib/enterprise_search_request_handler.test.ts
index d6a891e3f6241..abe5272fe3263 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/server/lib/enterprise_search_request_handler.test.ts
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/server/lib/enterprise_search_request_handler.test.ts
@@ -198,6 +198,18 @@ describe('EnterpriseSearchRequestHandler', () => {
         });
       });
     });
+
+    it('works if response contains no json data', async () => {
+      EnterpriseSearchAPI.mockReturn();
+
+      const requestHandler = enterpriseSearchRequestHandler.createRequest({ path: '/api/prep' });
+      await makeAPICall(requestHandler);
+
+      expect(responseMock.custom).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+        statusCode: 200,
+        headers: mockExpectedResponseHeaders,
+      });
+    });
   });
 
   describe('error responses', () => {
@@ -456,10 +468,12 @@ const EnterpriseSearchAPI = {
       ...expectedParams,
     });
   },
-  mockReturn(response: object, options?: any) {
+  mockReturn(response?: object, options?: any) {
     fetchMock.mockImplementation(() => {
       const headers = Object.assign({}, mockExpectedResponseHeaders, options?.headers);
-      return Promise.resolve(new Response(JSON.stringify(response), { ...options, headers }));
+      return Promise.resolve(
+        new Response(response ? JSON.stringify(response) : undefined, { ...options, headers })
+      );
     });
   },
   mockReturnError() {
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/server/lib/enterprise_search_request_handler.ts b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/server/lib/enterprise_search_request_handler.ts
index fb525740dd55b..e5394fd580efc 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/server/lib/enterprise_search_request_handler.ts
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/server/lib/enterprise_search_request_handler.ts
@@ -113,22 +113,32 @@ export class EnterpriseSearchRequestHandler {
         }
 
         // Check returned data
-        const json = await apiResponse.json();
-        if (!hasValidData(json)) {
-          return this.handleInvalidDataError(response, url, json);
-        }
+        let responseBody;
 
-        // Intercept data that is meant for the server side session
-        const { _sessionData, ...responseJson } = json;
-        if (_sessionData) {
-          this.setSessionData(_sessionData);
+        try {
+          const json = await apiResponse.json();
+
+          if (!hasValidData(json)) {
+            return this.handleInvalidDataError(response, url, json);
+          }
+
+          // Intercept data that is meant for the server side session
+          const { _sessionData, ...responseJson } = json;
+          if (_sessionData) {
+            this.setSessionData(_sessionData);
+            responseBody = responseJson;
+          } else {
+            responseBody = json;
+          }
+        } catch (e) {
+          responseBody = undefined;
         }
 
         // Pass successful responses back to the front-end
         return response.custom({
           statusCode: status,
           headers: this.headers,
-          body: _sessionData ? responseJson : json,
+          body: responseBody,
         });
       } catch (e) {
         // Catch connection/auth errors
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/server/routes/app_search/index.ts b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/server/routes/app_search/index.ts
index 1bd88c111f79f..3c8501ec15b3d 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/server/routes/app_search/index.ts
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/server/routes/app_search/index.ts
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import { registerCredentialsRoutes } from './credentials';
 import { registerCurationsRoutes } from './curations';
 import { registerDocumentsRoutes, registerDocumentRoutes } from './documents';
 import { registerEnginesRoutes } from './engines';
+import { registerOnboardingRoutes } from './onboarding';
 import { registerResultSettingsRoutes } from './result_settings';
 import { registerRoleMappingsRoutes } from './role_mappings';
 import { registerSearchSettingsRoutes } from './search_settings';
@@ -28,4 +29,5 @@ export const registerAppSearchRoutes = (dependencies: RouteDependencies) => {
   registerSearchSettingsRoutes(dependencies);
   registerRoleMappingsRoutes(dependencies);
   registerResultSettingsRoutes(dependencies);
+  registerOnboardingRoutes(dependencies);
 };
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/server/routes/app_search/onboarding.test.ts b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/server/routes/app_search/onboarding.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..c26f8dbaf5213
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/server/routes/app_search/onboarding.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright Elasticsearch B.V. and/or licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements. Licensed under the Elastic License
+ * 2.0; you may not use this file except in compliance with the Elastic License
+ * 2.0.
+ */
+
+import { MockRouter, mockRequestHandler, mockDependencies } from '../../__mocks__';
+
+import { registerOnboardingRoutes } from './onboarding';
+
+describe('engine routes', () => {
+  describe('POST /api/app_search/onboarding_complete', () => {
+    let mockRouter: MockRouter;
+
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      jest.clearAllMocks();
+      mockRouter = new MockRouter({
+        method: 'post',
+        path: '/api/app_search/onboarding_complete',
+      });
+
+      registerOnboardingRoutes({
+        ...mockDependencies,
+        router: mockRouter.router,
+      });
+    });
+
+    it('creates a request handler', () => {
+      mockRouter.callRoute({ body: {} });
+      expect(mockRequestHandler.createRequest).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+        path: '/as/onboarding/complete',
+      });
+    });
+
+    it('validates seed_sample_engine ', () => {
+      const request = { body: { seed_sample_engine: true } };
+      mockRouter.shouldValidate(request);
+    });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/server/routes/app_search/onboarding.ts b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/server/routes/app_search/onboarding.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..9a46c75555969
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/enterprise_search/server/routes/app_search/onboarding.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright Elasticsearch B.V. and/or licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements. Licensed under the Elastic License
+ * 2.0; you may not use this file except in compliance with the Elastic License
+ * 2.0.
+ */
+
+import { schema } from '@kbn/config-schema';
+
+import { RouteDependencies } from '../../plugin';
+
+export function registerOnboardingRoutes({
+  router,
+  enterpriseSearchRequestHandler,
+}: RouteDependencies) {
+  router.post(
+    {
+      path: '/api/app_search/onboarding_complete',
+      validate: {
+        body: schema.object({
+          seed_sample_engine: schema.maybe(schema.boolean()),
+        }),
+      },
+    },
+    enterpriseSearchRequestHandler.createRequest({
+      path: '/as/onboarding/complete',
+    })
+  );
+}