# pause

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

> Pause stops every new Action under a Mandate at once and keeps its scope, so it can resume unchanged.

Pause stops every new [Action](/business/nouns/action) under a [Mandate](/business/nouns/mandate) at once and keeps its scope, so it can resume unchanged.

## Inputs
| Input | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `mandate` | [Mandate](/business/nouns/mandate) | Yes | The Mandate to hold. |
| `reason` | `text` | No | Why the Mandate stops. |

## Outputs
| Output | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `mandate` | [Mandate](/business/nouns/mandate) | Yes | The paused Mandate. |

## Effects
- Emits [`Mandate.paused`](/business/events/Mandate.paused).
- Performed by the [Treasurer](/agents/finance/treasurer).
- Holds every pending Action under the Mandate until it resumes or is revoked.

## 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. | [Mandate.pause](/business/nouns/mandate/pause) |

## 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
Pause the latest mandate.
```

**API**

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.sb/quietcopy.com/mandates/mandate_1/pause \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $STARTUP_BUILDER_API_KEY"
```

```json
{
  "api": "https://api.sb/quietcopy.com",
  "mandate": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/quietcopy.com/mandates/mandate_1",
    "$type": "Mandate",
    "expiresAt": "2026-10-22T12:00:00Z",
    "status": "paused"
  },
  "action": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/quietcopy.com/actions/action_1",
    "operation": "Mandate.pause",
    "status": "done"
  },
  "links": {
    "self": "https://api.sb/quietcopy.com/actions/action_1"
  }
}
```

**SDK**

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

const mandate = await $.Mandate.pause({ mandate: 'mandate_1' })
```

**CLI**

```bash
npx startup-builder do Mandate.pause --json '{"mandate":"mandate_1"}'
```

**MCP**

```json
{
  "name": "do",
  "arguments": {
    "code": "return await $.Mandate.pause({ mandate: 'mandate_1' })"
  }
}
```