# grant

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

> Grant gives a Holder an option from the pool, with its strike price, vesting schedule and cliff.

Grant gives a [Holder](/business/nouns/holder) an option from the pool, with its strike price, vesting schedule and cliff.

## Inputs
| Input | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `holder` | [Holder](/business/nouns/holder) | Yes | The Holder who receives the option, usually a Worker. |
| `quantity` | `integer` | Yes | The Shares the option covers. |
| `strike` | `money` | Yes | The exercise price, at or above the latest fair market value. |
| `vesting` | `json` | Yes | The schedule and cliff. |

## Outputs
| Output | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `instrument` | [Instrument](/business/nouns/instrument) | Yes | The granted option. |

## Effects
- Emits [`Instrument.granted`](/business/events/Instrument.granted).
- Performed by the [Legal Lead](/agents/legal/legal-lead).
- One-way: it waits out its delay window, and runs in the `send` and `do` modes.
- Refuses a strike below the latest 409A fair market value.

## 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. | [Instrument.grant](/business/nouns/instrument/grant) |
| A strike below the latest 409A fair market value | [`refused`](/code/api/errors/refused) | Clear what the check names, then call it again. | [Instrument.grant](/business/nouns/instrument/grant) |

## When it waits
| Gate | Default |
| --- | --- |
| Decision class | Medium: one-way, bounded |
| [Delay window](/systems/trust-and-governance/controls/one-way-windows) | 1 business hour, 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
Grant the latest instrument with a holder.
```

**API**

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.sb/patentpad.com/instruments/grant \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $STARTUP_BUILDER_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"holder":"holder_1","quantity":1,"strike":{"amount":499,"currency":"USD"},"vesting":{}}'
```

```json
{
  "api": "https://api.sb/patentpad.com",
  "instrument": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/patentpad.com/instruments/instrument_1",
    "$type": "Instrument",
    "kind": "safe",
    "status": "outstanding"
  },
  "action": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/patentpad.com/actions/action_1",
    "operation": "Instrument.grant",
    "status": "done"
  },
  "links": {
    "self": "https://api.sb/patentpad.com/actions/action_1"
  }
}
```

**SDK**

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

const instrument = await $.Instrument.grant({ holder: 'holder_1', quantity: 1, strike: { amount: 499, currency: 'USD' }, vesting: {} })
```

**CLI**

```bash
npx startup-builder do Instrument.grant --json '{"holder":"holder_1","quantity":1,"strike":{"amount":499,"currency":"USD"},"vesting":{}}'
```

**MCP**

```json
{
  "name": "do",
  "arguments": {
    "code": "return await $.Instrument.grant({ holder: 'holder_1', quantity: 1, strike: { amount: 499, currency: 'USD' }, vesting: {} })"
  }
}
```