# update

URL: /business/nouns/agent/update · Id: `verb:Agent.update` · Call: `await $.Agent.update({ … })` (SDK) or the `do` tool at `https://api.sb/mcp`. Inputs says what to pass, Outputs what returns, When it waits who approves.

> Changes the given properties of an Agent.

Update changes the given properties of an [Agent](/business/nouns/agent). It is inherited: every [Noun](/business/nouns/noun) has `get`, `list`, `create`, `update` and `delete`.

## Inputs
| Input | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `id` | `string` | Yes | The id of the Agent. |
| `instructions` | `text` | No | What the Agent does and how. |
| `model` | `string` | No | The model the Agent runs on. |
| `tools` | `string[]` | No | The tools the Agent may call. |
| `skills` | list of [Skill](/business/nouns/skill) | No | The Skills it loads. |
| `memory` | `string` | No | One of `tenant` (one Memory per Customer Tenant) or `startup` (one Memory for the Startup). |
| `maxSteps` | `integer` | No | The most steps one Task may take. |
| `budget` | `money` | No | The most one Task may spend; the Mandate’s Limits apply as well. |
| `handoffs` | list of [Role](/business/nouns/role) | No | The Roles it hands work to. |

## Outputs
| Output | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `agent` | [Agent](/business/nouns/agent) | Yes | The Agent. |

## Effects
- Emits `Agent.updated`.
- Two-way: `try`, `send`, `do`.

## Refuses when
| Check | Error | Fix | Then call |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| The key is valid, but its scopes do not allow this operation. | [`forbidden`](/code/api/errors/forbidden) | Use a key whose scopes cover the operation, or ask an owner of the namespace to grant them. | [Agent.update](/business/nouns/agent/update) |

## When it waits
| Gate | Default |
| --- | --- |
| Decision class | Low: two-way, nothing at stake |
| [Delay window](/systems/trust-and-governance/controls/one-way-windows) | None: it runs once review passes. |
| Limit | The call [Limit](/business/nouns/limit) of the [Permission](/business/nouns/permission) it runs under. |
| Over the Limit | It waits `pending` for an [Approval](/business/nouns/approval) from the [Founder](/agents/founding/founder). Approved, it runs; refused, it ends `refused` with [`limit-exceeded`](/code/api/errors/limit-exceeded); unanswered by its deadline, it ends `canceled`. |

## Example

**Ask**

```text
Change the latest agent.
```

**API**

```bash
curl -X PATCH https://api.sb/kilnbakery.com/agents/agent_1 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $STARTUP_BUILDER_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"skills":["skill_1"]}'
```

```json
{
  "api": "https://api.sb/kilnbakery.com",
  "agent": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/kilnbakery.com/agents/agent_1",
    "$type": "Agent",
    "instructions": "Example instructions",
    "model": "Example model",
    "status": "standby"
  },
  "action": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/kilnbakery.com/actions/action_1",
    "operation": "Agent.update",
    "status": "done"
  },
  "links": {
    "self": "https://api.sb/kilnbakery.com/actions/action_1"
  }
}
```

**SDK**

```ts
import { $ } from 'startup-builder'

const agent = await $.Agent.update({ id: 'agent_1', skills: ['skill_1'] })
```

**CLI**

```bash
npx startup-builder do Agent.update --json '{"id":"agent_1","skills":["skill_1"]}'
```

**MCP**

```json
{
  "name": "do",
  "arguments": {
    "code": "return await $.Agent.update({ id: 'agent_1', skills: ['skill_1'] })"
  }
}
```