# pause

URL: /business/nouns/process/pause · Id: `verb:Process.pause` · Call: `await $.Process.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 a Process from starting new Actions; Actions already in progress finish.

Pause stops a [Process](/business/nouns/process) from starting new [Actions](/business/nouns/action); Actions already in progress finish.

## Inputs
| Input | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `process` | [Process](/business/nouns/process) | Yes | The Process to pause. |

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

## Effects
- Emits [`Process.paused`](/business/events/Process.paused).
- Performed by the [Founder](/agents/founding/founder).
- Two-way: it runs at once, in the `try`, `send` and `do` modes.
- Holds its Triggers until the Process is enabled again.

## 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. | [Process.pause](/business/nouns/process/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 process.
```

**API**

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/processes/process_1/pause \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $STARTUP_BUILDER_API_KEY"
```

```json
{
  "api": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app",
  "process": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/processes/process_1",
    "$type": "Process",
    "name": "ShiftNote"
  },
  "action": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/actions/action_1",
    "operation": "Process.pause",
    "status": "done"
  },
  "links": {
    "self": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/actions/action_1"
  }
}
```

**SDK**

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

const process = await $.Process.pause({ process: 'process_1' })
```

**CLI**

```bash
npx startup-builder do Process.pause --json '{"process":"process_1"}'
```

**MCP**

```json
{
  "name": "do",
  "arguments": {
    "code": "return await $.Process.pause({ process: 'process_1' })"
  }
}
```