# pause

URL: /business/nouns/subscription/pause · Id: `verb:Subscription.pause` · Call: `await $.Subscription.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 stops billing and Entitlements on a Subscription until a date, without ending it.

Pause stops billing and [Entitlements](/business/nouns/entitlement) on a [Subscription](/business/nouns/subscription) until a date, without ending it.

## Inputs
| Input | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `subscription` | [Subscription](/business/nouns/subscription) | Yes | The active Subscription. |
| `until` | `date` | Yes | When billing resumes on its own. |

## Outputs
| Output | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `subscription` | [Subscription](/business/nouns/subscription) | Yes | The paused Subscription. |

## Effects
- Emits [`Subscription.paused`](/business/events/Subscription.paused).
- Performed by the [Billing Specialist](/agents/finance/billing-specialist).
- Two-way: it runs at once, in the `try`, `send` and `do` modes.
- Moves the next renewal and the term end by the paused days.

## 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. | [Subscription.pause](/business/nouns/subscription/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 the latest subscription.
```

**API**

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.sb/patentpad.com/subscriptions/subscription_1/pause \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $STARTUP_BUILDER_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"until":"2026-10-22"}'
```

```json
{
  "api": "https://api.sb/patentpad.com",
  "subscription": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/patentpad.com/subscriptions/subscription_1",
    "$type": "Subscription",
    "status": "paused"
  },
  "action": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/patentpad.com/actions/action_1",
    "operation": "Subscription.pause",
    "status": "done"
  },
  "links": {
    "self": "https://api.sb/patentpad.com/actions/action_1"
  }
}
```

**SDK**

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

const subscription = await $.Subscription.pause({ subscription: 'subscription_1', until: '2026-10-22' })
```

**CLI**

```bash
npx startup-builder do Subscription.pause --json '{"subscription":"subscription_1","until":"2026-10-22"}'
```

**MCP**

```json
{
  "name": "do",
  "arguments": {
    "code": "return await $.Subscription.pause({ subscription: 'subscription_1', until: '2026-10-22' })"
  }
}
```