# read

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

> Read compiles a Startup’s records into one scoped room, such as a diligence room, with every number citing its Proof.

Read compiles a [Startup](/business/nouns/startup)’s records into one scoped room, such as a diligence room, with every number citing its [Proof](/business/nouns/proof).

## Inputs
| Input | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `startup` | [Startup](/business/nouns/startup) | Yes | The Startup to read. |
| `scope` | `string` | Yes | What the room holds: `diligence` for a raise, a sale or an LP look-through. |
| `reader` | [Party](/business/nouns/party) | No | Who reads it; access is a Permission that expires, readable over MCP. |

## Outputs
| Output | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `room` | `json` | Yes | Statements, Metrics, cap table, Agreements in force, Control Proofs and open Disputes, each linked to its record. |
| `gaps` | `json` | Yes | Each failed readiness check with its fix, such as a Period still open. |
| `startup` | [Startup](/business/nouns/startup) | Yes | The Startup the room was compiled from. |

## Effects
- Emits [`Startup.read`](/business/events/Startup.read).
- Two-way: it runs at once, in the `try`, `send` and `do` modes.
- Compiles from records and never from uploads: each document is its signed Version.
- Runs the readiness checks: three Periods closed in a row, cap table reconciled to signed Agreements, IP assigned, Controls passing.

## 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.read](/business/nouns/startup/read) |

## 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
Read PatentPad.
```

**API**

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.sb/patentpad.com/startups/startup_1/read \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $STARTUP_BUILDER_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"scope":"diligence"}'
```

```json
{
  "api": "https://api.sb/patentpad.com",
  "room": {},
  "gaps": {},
  "startup": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/patentpad.com/startups/startup_1",
    "$type": "Startup",
    "name": "PatentPad"
  },
  "action": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/patentpad.com/actions/action_1",
    "operation": "Startup.read",
    "status": "done"
  },
  "links": {
    "self": "https://api.sb/patentpad.com/actions/action_1"
  }
}
```

**SDK**

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

const { room, gaps, startup } = await $.Startup.read({ startup: 'startup_1', scope: 'diligence' })
```

**CLI**

```bash
npx startup-builder do Startup.read --json '{"startup":"startup_1","scope":"diligence"}'
```

**MCP**

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