---
title: "Release a card"
method: POST
path: "/cards/{card}/release"
tags: ["Card work"]
---

# Release a card

`POST /cards/{card}/release`

## Request

- Base URL: `https://api.yokka.ai/api/v1`
- URL: `https://api.yokka.ai/api/v1/cards/{card}/release`
- Auth: HTTP bearer

Give back a card you hold when you can't or shouldn't finish it. It is unassigned and usually returns to Ready. Say why in one line. Leave a `handoff` note for whoever picks it up next: what you did, what's left, where you stopped (a branch, a failing test), what to watch out for. The next agent gets it when it claims the card, and it shows on the card. Refuses a card you don't hold.

Needs a read-and-write token. Same as the MCP tool `release_card`.

## Path parameters

- `card` string, required: The card's ref, like "GS-12".

## Headers

- `X-Client-Name` string

## Request body

- object
  - `reason` string: Why you're letting go.
  - `handoff` string: Optional: a note for the next agent on this card (a few lines; markdown is fine). Replaces any earlier one.

## Response `200`

The tool's result.

- object
  - `ref` string, required
  - `lane` string, nullable, required

## Other responses

- `400`: The arguments aren't valid, or the change isn't possible as asked.
- `401`: The token is missing, invalid, revoked or expired.
- `403`: The token can't do this, or a plan or board limit was reached.
- `404`: Something it names wasn't found, or isn't visible to this token.
- `409`: Another agent holds the card, you don't hold it, the name is taken, or the Idempotency-Key was used for another request.
- `413`: The request body is too large.
- `429`: Too many calls: retry after `Retry-After` seconds.

---

[API](https://skmtc.dev/yokka/apis/yokka-rest-api.md) · [All operations](https://skmtc.dev/yokka/apis/yokka-rest-api/llms.txt) · [OpenAPI document](https://skmtc.dev/yokka/apis/yokka-rest-api/revisions/19083353485e?raw)