# pause

URL: /business/nouns/startup/pause · Id: `verb:Startup.pause` · Call: `await $.Startup.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 moves a Startup to Dormant: its scheduled Workflows stop, and its Sites and records stay in place.

Pause moves a [Startup](/business/nouns/startup) to Dormant: its scheduled [Workflows](/business/nouns/workflow) stop, and its [Sites](/business/nouns/site) and records stay in place.

## Inputs
| Input | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `startup` | [Startup](/business/nouns/startup) | Yes | The Startup to pause. |
| `reason` | `text` | No | Why the Startup pauses. |

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

## Effects
- Emits [`Startup.paused`](/business/events/Startup.paused).
- Performed by the [Founder](/agents/founding/founder).
- Stops every scheduled Workflow.
- Records the state the Startup held, for `resume`.
- Deletes nothing.

## 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. | [Startup.pause](/business/nouns/startup/pause) |
| 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.pause](/business/nouns/startup/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 ShiftNote.
```

**API**

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/startups/startup_1/pause \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $STARTUP_BUILDER_API_KEY"
```

```json
{
  "api": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app",
  "startup": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/startups/startup_1",
    "$type": "Startup",
    "name": "ShiftNote"
  },
  "action": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/actions/action_1",
    "operation": "Startup.pause",
    "status": "done"
  },
  "links": {
    "self": "https://api.sb/shiftnote.app/actions/action_1"
  }
}
```

**SDK**

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

const startup = await $.Startup.pause({ startup: 'startup_1' })
```

**CLI**

```bash
npx startup-builder do Startup.pause --json '{"startup":"startup_1"}'
```

**MCP**

```json
{
  "name": "do",
  "arguments": {
    "code": "return await $.Startup.pause({ startup: 'startup_1' })"
  }
}
```

Next: [`Company.dissolve`](/business/nouns/company/dissolve) (in `guide:wind-down-my-startup`).

Guides that call it: [Wind down my startup](/business/wind-down-my-startup).