# transfer

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

> Transfer moves a Domain’s registration to another holder or registrar, with its records intact.

Transfer moves a [Domain](/business/nouns/domain)’s registration to another holder or registrar, with its records intact.

## Inputs
| Input | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `domain` | [Domain](/business/nouns/domain) | Yes | The Domain to move. |
| `to` | `string` | Yes | The receiving holder or registrar. |
| `kind` | `string` | Yes | `in` from another registrar, `registrant` to a new owner, `push` between accounts, or `out` to leave. |
| `code` | [Secret](/business/nouns/secret) | No | The transfer code, for `in` and `out`. |

## Outputs
| Output | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `domain` | [Domain](/business/nouns/domain) | Yes | The transferred Domain. |

## Effects
- Emits [`Domain.transferred`](/business/events/Domain.transferred).
- Performed by the [Legal Lead](/agents/legal/legal-lead).
- One-way (customer): it waits out its delay window, and runs in the `send` and `do` modes.
- Refuses before `transferableAt`.
- Keeps the record and its history; a claimed label moves as a redirect, then retires.

## 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.transfer](/business/nouns/domain/transfer) |
| The record is not in a state that allows this Verb, so the call is refused. | [`refused`](/code/api/errors/refused) | Read the record, run the Verb that moves it to an allowed state, then retry. | [Domain.transfer](/business/nouns/domain/transfer) |
| Before `transferableAt` | [`refused`](/code/api/errors/refused) | Clear what the check names, then call it again. | [Domain.transfer](/business/nouns/domain/transfer) |

## When it waits
| Gate | Default |
| --- | --- |
| Decision class | High: one-way, broad (customer) |
| [Delay window](/systems/trust-and-governance/controls/one-way-windows) | 1 business day, in which a watcher can pause, redirect or cancel it; then it runs. |
| 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
Transfer the latest domain.
```

**API**

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/domains/domain_1/transfer \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $STARTUP_BUILDER_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"to":"Example to","kind":"in"}'
```

```json
{
  "api": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app",
  "domain": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/domains/domain_1",
    "$type": "Domain",
    "hostname": "shiftnote.app",
    "role": "canonical",
    "state": "verifying"
  },
  "action": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/actions/action_1",
    "operation": "Domain.transfer",
    "status": "done"
  },
  "links": {
    "self": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/actions/action_1"
  }
}
```

**SDK**

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

const domain = await $.Domain.transfer({ domain: 'domain_1', to: 'Example to', kind: 'in' })
```

**CLI**

```bash
npx startup-builder do Domain.transfer --json '{"domain":"domain_1","to":"Example to","kind":"in"}'
```

**MCP**

```json
{
  "name": "do",
  "arguments": {
    "code": "return await $.Domain.transfer({ domain: 'domain_1', to: 'Example to', kind: 'in' })"
  }
}
```