# pursue

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

> Pursue starts a Startup on an Idea as one variant of the Experiment that tests the Idea.

Pursue starts a [Startup](/business/nouns/startup) on an [Idea](/business/nouns/idea) as one variant of the [Experiment](/business/nouns/experiment) that tests the Idea.

## Inputs
| Input | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `idea` | [Idea](/business/nouns/idea) | Yes | The Idea to pursue. |
| `template` | [Template](/business/nouns/template) | No | The Template the variant extends. |

## Outputs
| Output | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `startup` | [Startup](/business/nouns/startup) | Yes | The new variant Startup. |
| `idea` | [Idea](/business/nouns/idea) | Yes | The Idea now pursued. |

## Effects
- Emits [`Idea.pursued`](/business/events/Idea.pursued).
- Performed by the [Founder](/agents/founding/founder).
- Adds the Startup as a variant of the Idea’s Experiment.

## Refuses when
| Check | Error | Fix | Then call |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| The input does not match the schema of the operation. | [`invalid-input`](/code/api/errors/invalid-input) | Read the schema of the operation, then send every required field with the right type. | [Idea.pursue](/business/nouns/idea/pursue) |
| 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. | [Idea.pursue](/business/nouns/idea/pursue) |

## 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
Pursue the latest idea.
```

**API**

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/ideas/idea_1/pursue \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $STARTUP_BUILDER_API_KEY"
```

```json
{
  "api": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app",
  "startup": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/startups/startup_1",
    "$type": "Startup",
    "name": "ShiftNote"
  },
  "idea": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/ideas/idea_1",
    "$type": "Idea",
    "statement": "Schedules shifts for small medical clinics.",
    "status": "open"
  },
  "action": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/actions/action_1",
    "operation": "Idea.pursue",
    "status": "done"
  },
  "links": {
    "self": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/actions/action_1"
  }
}
```

**SDK**

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

const { startup, idea } = await $.Idea.pursue({ idea: 'idea_1' })
```

**CLI**

```bash
npx startup-builder do Idea.pursue --json '{"idea":"idea_1"}'
```

**MCP**

```json
{
  "name": "do",
  "arguments": {
    "code": "return await $.Idea.pursue({ idea: 'idea_1' })"
  }
}
```