# pause

URL: /business/nouns/service/pause · Id: `verb:Service.pause` · Call: `await $.Service.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 Service taking new Orders until a stated time, while every placed Order runs to its end.

Pause stops a [Service](/business/nouns/service) taking new [Orders](/business/nouns/order) until a stated time, while every placed Order runs to its end.

## Inputs
| Input | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `service` | [Service](/business/nouns/service) | Yes | The Service to pause. |
| `reason` | `text` | Yes | Why it pauses, shown to buyers. |
| `until` | `datetime` | No | When it reopens on its own. |

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

## Effects
| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Action class | None: no approval rule names it, so it runs within its seat's Permissions and Limits |
| Stakes | The Startup's own records only |
| Door | Two-way: it runs at once |
| Modes | `try` previews it and stores nothing; `send` returns a pending Action; `do` (default) waits for the result |
| Idempotent | Only with a key: a repeat with the same `Idempotency-Key` and input returns the first Action, the same key with other input is refused with `409`, and a repeat without a key runs again |
| Undo | [Action.undo](/business/nouns/action/undo) reverses it |
| Emits | [`Service.paused`](/business/events/Service.paused) |
| Performed by | The [Delivery Manager](/agents/operations/delivery-manager) |

- Placed Orders keep running; a new Order is refused with the reason and the reopening time.

## 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. | None. |
| `service` is missing, or is not a service | [`invalid-input`](/code/api/errors/invalid-input) | Send `service` as a service, then call it again. | None. |
| `reason` is missing, or is not a text | [`invalid-input`](/code/api/errors/invalid-input) | Send `reason` as a text, then call it again. | None. |
| The `Idempotency-Key` was sent before with another operation or other input | [`idempotency-mismatch`](/code/api/errors/idempotency-mismatch) | Send a new key for new input; reuse a key only to retry the same request. | None. |

## When it waits
| Gate | Default |
| --- | --- |
| Decision class | Low: two-way, no delay window |
| [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), which a Human answers: the owner of record, or a Human they named to approve for the [Founder](/agents/founding/founder) seat. 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 service “Catalog audit”.
```

**API**

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.sb/catalogmend.com/services/service_Eq1ssq4AOW/pause \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $SB_TOKEN" \
  -H "Idempotency-Key: catalogmend-service-pause-1" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"reason":"Example reason"}'
```

```json
{
  "api": "https://api.sb/catalogmend.com",
  "service": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/catalogmend.com/services/service_Eq1ssq4AOW",
    "$type": "Service",
    "name": "Catalogmend",
    "promise": "Every listing error fixed or explained within 48 hours.",
    "status": "draft"
  },
  "action": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/catalogmend.com/actions/act_ZY4jDpkbtc",
    "operation": "Service.pause",
    "status": "done"
  },
  "links": {
    "self": "https://api.sb/catalogmend.com/actions/act_ZY4jDpkbtc"
  }
}
```

**CLI**

```bash
npx startup-builder do Service.pause --data '{"service":"service_Eq1ssq4AOW","reason":"Example reason"}' \
  --idempotency-key catalogmend-service-pause-1
```

**MCP**

```json
{
  "name": "do",
  "arguments": {
    "code": "return await $.Service.pause({ service: 'service_Eq1ssq4AOW', reason: 'Example reason' })",
    "idempotencyKey": "catalogmend-service-pause-1"
  }
}
```

**SDK**

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

const service = await $.Service.pause({ service: 'service_Eq1ssq4AOW', reason: 'Example reason' }, { idempotencyKey: 'catalogmend-service-pause-1' })
```

To retry, send the same `Idempotency-Key`: the retry returns the first Action and runs nothing twice. A new key runs the call again.