# claim

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

> Claim takes an offered Task from a shared queue or a handoff and makes the calling Worker its assignee.

Claim takes an offered [Task](/business/nouns/task) from a shared queue or a handoff and makes the calling [Worker](/business/nouns/worker) its assignee.

## Inputs
| Input | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `task` | [Task](/business/nouns/task) | Yes | The offered Task. |

## Outputs
| Output | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `task` | [Task](/business/nouns/task) | Yes | The Task, assigned to the caller. |

## Effects
- Emits [`Task.claimed`](/business/events/Task.claimed).
- Performed by the [Supply Manager](/agents/operations/supply-manager).
- Removes the Task from every other Worker’s queue.
- Releases the claim if the Task sits untouched past its claim window.

## 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. | [Task.claim](/business/nouns/task/claim) |

## 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
Claim the latest task.
```

**API**

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.sb/ledgerlark.com/tasks/task_1/claim \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $STARTUP_BUILDER_API_KEY"
```

```json
{
  "api": "https://api.sb/ledgerlark.com",
  "task": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/ledgerlark.com/tasks/task_1",
    "$type": "Task",
    "status": "pending",
    "mode": "try"
  },
  "action": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/ledgerlark.com/actions/action_1",
    "operation": "Task.claim",
    "status": "done"
  },
  "links": {
    "self": "https://api.sb/ledgerlark.com/actions/action_1"
  }
}
```

**SDK**

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

const task = await $.Task.claim({ task: 'task_1' })
```

**CLI**

```bash
npx startup-builder do Task.claim --json '{"task":"task_1"}'
```

**MCP**

```json
{
  "name": "do",
  "arguments": {
    "code": "return await $.Task.claim({ task: 'task_1' })"
  }
}
```