# update

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

> Changes the given properties of a Workflow.

Update changes the given properties of a [Workflow](/business/nouns/workflow). It is inherited: every [Noun](/business/nouns/noun) has `get`, `list`, `create`, `update` and `delete`.

## Inputs
| Input | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `id` | `string` | Yes | The id of the Workflow. |
| `steps` | `json` | No | The ordered steps, each run by a Function. |
| `retries` | `integer` | No | How many times a failed step retries. |
| `body` | `string` | No | The Verb whose Action it is the durable body of, such as `Order.refund`; a Workflow with a body has no Trigger. |

## Outputs
| Output | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `workflow` | [Workflow](/business/nouns/workflow) | Yes | The Workflow. |

## Effects
- Emits `Workflow.updated`.
- Two-way: `try`, `send`, `do`.

## 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. | [Workflow.update](/business/nouns/workflow/update) |

## 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
Change the latest workflow.
```

**API**

```bash
curl -X PATCH https://api.sb/tutorloop.com/workflows/workflow_1 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $STARTUP_BUILDER_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"steps":{}}'
```

```json
{
  "api": "https://api.sb/tutorloop.com",
  "workflow": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/tutorloop.com/workflows/workflow_1",
    "$type": "Workflow",
    "steps": {}
  },
  "action": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/tutorloop.com/actions/action_1",
    "operation": "Workflow.update",
    "status": "done"
  },
  "links": {
    "self": "https://api.sb/tutorloop.com/actions/action_1"
  }
}
```

**SDK**

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

const workflow = await $.Workflow.update({ id: 'workflow_1', steps: {} })
```

**CLI**

```bash
npx startup-builder do Workflow.update --json '{"id":"workflow_1","steps":{}}'
```

**MCP**

```json
{
  "name": "do",
  "arguments": {
    "code": "return await $.Workflow.update({ id: 'workflow_1', steps: {} })"
  }
}
```