# trace

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

> Trace lists every Verb, Process, Offer, Dashboard and Version that references a Noun, so an edit or a retire shows its reach first.

Trace lists every [Verb](/business/nouns/verb), [Process](/business/nouns/process), [Offer](/business/nouns/offer), [Dashboard](/business/nouns/dashboard) and [Version](/business/nouns/version) that references a [Noun](/business/nouns/noun), so an edit or a retire shows its reach first.

## Inputs
| Input | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `noun` | [Noun](/business/nouns/noun) | Yes | The Noun to trace. |

## Outputs
| Output | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `uses` | `json` | Yes | Each referencing entry, by kind and id, with the published Versions that serve it. |
| `noun` | [Noun](/business/nouns/noun) | Yes | The Noun traced. |

## Effects
- Emits [`Noun.traced`](/business/events/Noun.traced).

## 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. | [Noun.trace](/business/nouns/noun/trace) |

## 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
Trace the latest noun.
```

**API**

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/nouns/noun_1/trace \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $STARTUP_BUILDER_API_KEY"
```

```json
{
  "api": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app",
  "uses": {},
  "noun": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/nouns/noun_1",
    "$type": "Noun",
    "name": "ShiftNote",
    "status": "draft"
  },
  "action": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/actions/action_1",
    "operation": "Noun.trace",
    "status": "done"
  },
  "links": {
    "self": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/actions/action_1"
  }
}
```

**SDK**

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

const { uses, noun } = await $.Noun.trace({ noun: 'noun_1' })
```

**CLI**

```bash
npx startup-builder do Noun.trace --json '{"noun":"noun_1"}'
```

**MCP**

```json
{
  "name": "do",
  "arguments": {
    "code": "return await $.Noun.trace({ noun: 'noun_1' })"
  }
}
```