# upgrade

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

> Upgrade moves a Startup to a newer Version of a Startup Template it extends, through a Change it can review.

Upgrade moves a [Startup](/business/nouns/startup) to a newer [Version](/business/nouns/version) of a [Startup Template](/business/nouns/startup-template) it extends, through a [Change](/business/nouns/change) it can review.

## Inputs
| Input | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `startupTemplate` | [Startup Template](/business/nouns/startup-template) | Yes | The Startup Template to upgrade. |
| `startup` | [Startup](/business/nouns/startup) | Yes | The Startup that extends it. |
| `version` | [Version](/business/nouns/version) | No | The target Version; the latest when absent. |

## Outputs
| Output | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `change` | [Change](/business/nouns/change) | Yes | The Change that moves the pin, with its three-way diff. |
| `startupTemplate` | [Startup Template](/business/nouns/startup-template) | Yes | The Startup Template upgraded to. |

## Effects
- Emits [`StartupTemplate.upgraded`](/business/events/StartupTemplate.upgraded).
- Performed by the [Engineering Lead](/agents/engineering/engineering-lead).
- Two-way: it runs at once, in the `try`, `send` and `do` modes.
- Opens a Change; nothing moves until it merges.
- Names each dependency the Change moves, from which Version to which.

## 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. | [StartupTemplate.upgrade](/business/nouns/startup-template/upgrade) |

## 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
Upgrade the latest startup template with a startup.
```

**API**

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/startup-templates/startup_template_1/upgrade \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $STARTUP_BUILDER_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"startup":"startup_1"}'
```

```json
{
  "api": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app",
  "change": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/changes/change_1",
    "$type": "Change",
    "status": "Open",
    "base": "version_1"
  },
  "startupTemplate": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/startup-templates/startup_template_1",
    "$type": "StartupTemplate",
    "slug": "shift-note",
    "operatingModel": "autonomous",
    "motions": [
      "Example motions"
    ]
  },
  "action": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/actions/action_1",
    "operation": "StartupTemplate.upgrade",
    "status": "done"
  },
  "links": {
    "self": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/actions/action_1"
  }
}
```

**SDK**

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

const { change, startupTemplate } = await $.StartupTemplate.upgrade({ startupTemplate: 'startup_template_1', startup: 'startup_1' })
```

**CLI**

```bash
npx startup-builder do StartupTemplate.upgrade --json '{"startupTemplate":"startup_template_1","startup":"startup_1"}'
```

**MCP**

```json
{
  "name": "do",
  "arguments": {
    "code": "return await $.StartupTemplate.upgrade({ startupTemplate: 'startup_template_1', startup: 'startup_1' })"
  }
}
```