# search

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

> Search lists candidate names with availability, first-year price, renewal price and the rules of each extension.

Search lists candidate names with availability, first-year price, renewal price and the rules of each extension.

## Inputs
| Input | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `query` | `string` | Yes | A name, or a word to build names from. |
| `extensions` | `string[]` | No | Extensions to check, such as `com` or `ai`. |

## Outputs
| Output | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `candidates` | list of [Domain](/business/nouns/domain) | Yes | Candidate Domains, each with its prices, three-year cost and extension rules. |

## Effects
- Emits [`Domain.searched`](/business/events/Domain.searched).
- Performed by the [Engineering Lead](/agents/engineering/engineering-lead).
- Two-way: it runs at once, in the `try`, `send` and `do` modes.
- Drops a candidate whose extension rules the owner of record fails, such as a local-presence rule.

## 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. | [Domain.search](/business/nouns/domain/search) |

## 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
Search the latest domain.
```

**API**

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.sb/kilnbakery.com/domains/search \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $STARTUP_BUILDER_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"query":"Example query"}'
```

```json
{
  "api": "https://api.sb/kilnbakery.com",
  "candidates": [
    {
      "$id": "https://api.sb/kilnbakery.com/domains/domain_1",
      "$type": "Domain",
      "hostname": "kilnbakery.com",
      "role": "canonical",
      "state": "verifying"
    }
  ],
  "action": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/kilnbakery.com/actions/action_1",
    "operation": "Domain.search",
    "status": "done"
  },
  "links": {
    "self": "https://api.sb/kilnbakery.com/actions/action_1"
  }
}
```

**SDK**

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

const candidates = await $.Domain.search({ query: 'Example query' })
```

**CLI**

```bash
npx startup-builder do Domain.search --json '{"query":"Example query"}'
```

**MCP**

```json
{
  "name": "do",
  "arguments": {
    "code": "return await $.Domain.search({ query: 'Example query' })"
  }
}
```

Next: [`Domain.register`](/business/nouns/domain/register) (in `guide:buy-a-domain`).

Guides that call it: [Buy a domain](/products/site/domains/buy-a-domain).