# screen

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

> Screen asks a Candidate only what the Opening’s Hypothesis still lacks, in writing, and grades each answer as Evidence.

Screen asks a [Candidate](/business/nouns/candidate) only what the [Opening](/business/nouns/opening)’s [Hypothesis](/business/nouns/hypothesis) still lacks, in writing, and grades each answer as [Evidence](/business/nouns/evidence).

## Inputs
| Input | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `candidate` | [Candidate](/business/nouns/candidate) | Yes | The Candidate to screen. |

## Outputs
| Output | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `candidate` | [Candidate](/business/nouns/candidate) | Yes | The Candidate, with graded Evidence attached. |

## Effects
- Emits [`Candidate.screened`](/business/events/Candidate.screened).
- Performed by the [Recruiter](/agents/people/recruiter).
- Gives self-description and unsupported praise zero weight.
- Moves a passing Candidate to `tryout`.

## 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. | [Candidate.screen](/business/nouns/candidate/screen) |

## 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
Screen the candidate Rosa Ibarra.
```

**API**

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.sb/patentpad.com/candidates/candidate_1/screen \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $STARTUP_BUILDER_API_KEY"
```

```json
{
  "api": "https://api.sb/patentpad.com",
  "candidate": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/patentpad.com/candidates/candidate_1",
    "$type": "Candidate",
    "opening": "opening_1",
    "person": "person_1",
    "source": "pool",
    "state": "screening"
  },
  "action": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/patentpad.com/actions/action_1",
    "operation": "Candidate.screen",
    "status": "done"
  },
  "links": {
    "self": "https://api.sb/patentpad.com/actions/action_1"
  }
}
```

**SDK**

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

const candidate = await $.Candidate.screen({ candidate: 'candidate_1' })
```

**CLI**

```bash
npx startup-builder do Candidate.screen --json '{"candidate":"candidate_1"}'
```

**MCP**

```json
{
  "name": "do",
  "arguments": {
    "code": "return await $.Candidate.screen({ candidate: 'candidate_1' })"
  }
}
```