# import

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

> Import builds a new Startup from an existing business’s definition: its Offers, Pages, Nouns and Processes.

Import builds a new [Startup](/business/nouns/startup) from an existing business’s definition: its [Offers](/business/nouns/offer), [Pages](/business/nouns/page), [Nouns](/business/nouns/noun) and [Processes](/business/nouns/process).

## Inputs
| Input | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `source` | `url` | Yes | The existing business’s site or export. |
| `template` | [Template](/business/nouns/template) | No | The Template to map the definition onto. |

## Outputs
| Output | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `startup` | [Startup](/business/nouns/startup) | Yes | The new Startup, in Idea. |

## Effects
- Emits [`Startup.imported`](/business/events/Startup.imported).
- Performed by the [Integration Engineer](/agents/engineering/integration-engineer).
- Leaves the source business unchanged.
- Marks every imported fact with its source.

## Refuses when
| Check | Error | Fix | Then call |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| The input does not match the schema of the operation. | [`invalid-input`](/code/api/errors/invalid-input) | Read the schema of the operation, then send every required field with the right type. | [Startup.import](/business/nouns/startup/import) |
| 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. | [Startup.import](/business/nouns/startup/import) |
| The record is not in a state that allows this Verb, so the call is refused. | [`refused`](/code/api/errors/refused) | Read the record, run the Verb that moves it to an allowed state, then retry. | [Startup.import](/business/nouns/startup/import) |

## 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
Import Kiln Bakery.
```

**API**

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.sb/kilnbakery.com/startups/import \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $STARTUP_BUILDER_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"source":"https://kilnbakery.com"}'
```

```json
{
  "api": "https://api.sb/kilnbakery.com",
  "startup": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/kilnbakery.com/startups/startup_1",
    "$type": "Startup",
    "name": "Kiln Bakery"
  },
  "action": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/kilnbakery.com/actions/action_1",
    "operation": "Startup.import",
    "status": "done"
  },
  "links": {
    "self": "https://api.sb/kilnbakery.com/actions/action_1"
  }
}
```

**SDK**

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

const startup = await $.Startup.import({ source: 'https://kilnbakery.com' })
```

**CLI**

```bash
npx startup-builder do Startup.import --json '{"source":"https://kilnbakery.com"}'
```

**MCP**

```json
{
  "name": "do",
  "arguments": {
    "code": "return await $.Startup.import({ source: 'https://kilnbakery.com' })"
  }
}
```

Next: [`Startup.build`](/business/nouns/startup/build) (in `guide:turn-my-app-into-a-business`).

Guides that call it: [Turn my app into a business](/start/guides/turn-my-app-into-a-business).