# activate

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

> Activate turns an SSO Connection on after a test sign-in passes, so the Tenant’s people sign in through it.

Activate turns an [SSO Connection](/business/nouns/sso-connection) on after a test sign-in passes, so the [Tenant](/business/nouns/tenant)’s people sign in through it.

## Inputs
| Input | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `connection` | [SSO Connection](/business/nouns/sso-connection) | Yes | The SSO Connection to turn on. |

## Outputs
| Output | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `connection` | [SSO Connection](/business/nouns/sso-connection) | Yes | The SSO Connection, now active. |

## Effects
- Emits [`SSOConnection.activated`](/business/events/SSOConnection.activated).
- Performed by the [Security Engineer](/agents/engineering/security-engineer).
- Two-way: it runs at once, in the `try`, `send` and `do` modes.
- A failing connection or a certificate 30 days from expiry emits an Event to the Startup and a notice to the admin.

## 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. | [SSOConnection.activate](/business/nouns/sso-connection/activate) |

## 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
Activate the latest SSO connection.
```

**API**

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.sb/quietcopy.com/sso-connections/sso_connection_1/activate \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $STARTUP_BUILDER_API_KEY"
```

```json
{
  "api": "https://api.sb/quietcopy.com",
  "connection": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/quietcopy.com/sso-connections/sso_connection_1",
    "$type": "SSOConnection",
    "protocol": "saml",
    "state": "draft"
  },
  "action": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/quietcopy.com/actions/action_1",
    "operation": "SSOConnection.activate",
    "status": "done"
  },
  "links": {
    "self": "https://api.sb/quietcopy.com/actions/action_1"
  }
}
```

**SDK**

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

const connection = await $.SSOConnection.activate({ connection: 'sso_connection_1' })
```

**CLI**

```bash
npx startup-builder do SSOConnection.activate --json '{"connection":"sso_connection_1"}'
```

**MCP**

```json
{
  "name": "do",
  "arguments": {
    "code": "return await $.SSOConnection.activate({ connection: 'sso_connection_1' })"
  }
}
```

Guides that call it: [Set up SSO for a customer](/products/app/set-up-sso-for-a-customer).