# Archive file or folder

`archive_node`

| Through | Form |
|---|---|
| HTTP | `POST https://api.markdownbrain.ai/v1/nodes/archive` |
| MCP | tool `archive_node` |
| CLI | `mdbrain call archive_node` |

Archive a file or folder: put it away without throwing it away. It leaves [`list_files`](/docs/operations/list_files) — a folder takes everything inside it — and stays exactly where it is, readable by [`read_file`](/docs/operations/read_file) and listed by [`list_archived`](/docs/operations/list_archived). Nothing about its path changes, so a document that links to it still works. Use it to keep a workspace's listing short; use [`delete_node`](/docs/operations/delete_node) when something should actually go. The brain's root `brain-config.yaml` cannot be archived; delete it to turn it off. Name it with `path` or with `node_id` — exactly one of the two.

**Who may call it:** agents and people.

**Writes:** yes.

## Arguments

| Name | Type | Required | Travels in | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `workspace_id` | string | no | JSON body | Only needed to disambiguate a `path`, or alongside `node_id` |
| `node_id` | string | no | JSON body | file_node id — or use `path` |
| `path` | string | no | JSON body | Workspace-relative path of the node to archive |

## Success

`200` with `application/json`.

## Example request

```sh
curl -X POST https://api.markdownbrain.ai/v1/nodes/archive \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $MDBRAIN_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"path":"specs/07-old-pricing.md","workspace_id":"00000000-0000-4000-8000-000000000010"}'
```

```sh
mdbrain call archive_node \
  --path specs/07-old-pricing.md \
  --workspace-id 00000000-0000-4000-8000-000000000010
```

## Example response

> Written from the code rather than captured from a call.

```json
{
  "node_id": "00000000-0000-4000-8000-000000000107",
  "path": "specs/07-old-pricing.md",
  "archived_at": "2026-02-20T11:00:00.000Z"
}
```

## Refusals

A refusal is a status code with `{ error: { code, message } }`. See [Errors](/docs/errors).