# Prospect routes: engage

URL: /code/api/prospect/verbs · Id: `page:code/api/prospect/verbs`

> The Prospect Verbs engage as api.sb routes, with inputs, result, refusals and an example.

Reference for [Prospect](/business/nouns/prospect), one group of [Prospect routes](/code/api/prospect).

### Prospect.engage
Engage records a Prospect’s first reply or raised hand and makes it a Lead that keeps its Acquisition. [Verb page](/business/nouns/prospect/engage?interface=api).

```text
POST /{namespace}/prospects/{prospect}/engage
```

Path: `prospect`. Body, as JSON: the other inputs. Emits [`Prospect.engaged`](/business/events/Prospect.engaged).

**Inputs**

| Input | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `prospect` | [Prospect](/business/nouns/prospect) | Yes | The Prospect that replied or raised a hand. |
| `message` | [Message](/business/nouns/message) | No | The reply or Form submission that shows the engagement. |

**Returns**

| Output | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `lead` | [Lead](/business/nouns/lead) | Yes | The new Lead, with status `new` and the Prospect’s Acquisition. |
| `prospect` | [Prospect](/business/nouns/prospect) | Yes | The Prospect who engaged. |

**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. | None. |

**Example**

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.sb/leaseline.app/prospects/prospect_S8bqJCxC9R/engage \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $STARTUP_BUILDER_API_KEY"
```

```json
{
  "api": "https://api.sb/leaseline.app",
  "lead": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/leaseline.app/leads/lead_Kz1R9fhqzZ",
    "$type": "Lead",
    "status": "new"
  },
  "prospect": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/leaseline.app/prospects/prospect_S8bqJCxC9R",
    "$type": "Prospect",
    "foundIn": "Example found in",
    "basis": "Example basis"
  },
  "action": {
    "$id": "https://api.sb/leaseline.app/actions/act_br07HsG8MG",
    "operation": "Prospect.engage",
    "status": "done"
  },
  "links": {
    "self": "https://api.sb/leaseline.app/actions/act_br07HsG8MG"
  }
}
```