---
title: "Headless PDF digital signatures | Nutrient"
canonical_url: "https://www.nutrient.io/guides/web/signatures/headless/"
md_url: "https://www.nutrient.io/guides/web/signatures/headless.md"
last_updated: "2026-06-09T10:32:42.904Z"
description: "It’s possible to apply digital signing operations to a PDF without the need to present any user interface (UI) to the user. for Nutrient Web SDK."
---

# Headless PDF digital signing

It’s possible to apply digital signing operations to a PDF without the need to present any user interface (UI) to the user.

## Standalone

In [Standalone mode](https://www.nutrient.io/guides/web/about/operational-modes.md) of Nutrient Web SDK, you can perform the operation using JavaScript in the browser by setting the `headless` option as `true` when loading the JavaScript library. This indicates you don’t want a UI:

```js

NutrientViewer.load({
    //...
    headless: true
}).then((instance) => {
    // Apply your operations.
}).catch((error) => {
    console.error("Failed to load viewer:", error.message);
});

```

Once the SDK is loaded, you can apply any of our operations as normal.

## Server-backed

When using the Server-backed [operational mode](https://www.nutrient.io/guides/web/about/operational-modes.md), a variety of operations are available server-side. Refer to the [Document Engine documentation](https://www.nutrient.io/guides/document-engine.md) for additional information.
---

## Related pages

- [Fill and sign PDF forms using JavaScript](/guides/web/signatures/fill-and-sign-forms.md)
- [Understand digital and electronic signatures](/guides/web/signatures/overview.md)
- [Signatures](/guides/web/features/signatures.md)
- [JavaScript PDF signature library](/guides/web/signatures.md)