# Update custom role

Update a custom role's name, description, or capabilities. System roles cannot be modified. Requires the `manage_roles` capability.

When capabilities are updated, changes take effect immediately for all users assigned to this role. The calling user can only set capabilities they themselves possess (anti-escalation).

#### Path Parameters

**`organization_id`** string required

Organization ID (org_ prefixed string).

**`role_id`** string required

Role ID (role_ prefixed string). Must be a custom role.

#### Request Body

**`name`** string optional

New role name. Must be unique within the organization. Max 100 characters.

**`description`** string optional

New description. Max 500 characters.

**`capabilities`** array of strings optional

Complete list of capabilities. Replaces all existing capabilities. At least one capability required.

## Returns

The updated role object with current capabilities and member count.

Request

```bash cURL
curl -X PATCH "https://api.aitronos.com/v1/organizations/org_abc123/roles/role_xyz789" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $ACCESS_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "Marketing Lead",
    "description": "Updated description",
    "capabilities": ["view_audit_log", "manage_knowledge_slices", "invite_users"]
  }'
```


```python Python SDK
from aitronos import Aitronos

client = Aitronos(api_key="your-api-key")

role = client.organizations.roles.update(
    organization_id="org_abc123",
    role_id="role_xyz789",
    name="Marketing Lead",
    description="Updated description",
    capabilities=["view_audit_log", "manage_knowledge_slices", "invite_users"],
)
print(role)
```


```python Python
import requests

response = requests.patch(
    "https://api.aitronos.com/v1/organizations/org_abc123/roles/role_xyz789",
    headers={"Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN"},
    json={
        "name": "Marketing Lead",
        "description": "Updated description",
        "capabilities": ["view_audit_log", "manage_knowledge_slices", "invite_users"],
    },
)
print(response.json())
```


```javascript JavaScript
const response = await fetch(
  "https://api.aitronos.com/v1/organizations/org_abc123/roles/role_xyz789",
  {
    method: "PATCH",
    headers: {
      Authorization: "Bearer YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN",
      "Content-Type": "application/json",
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({
      name: "Marketing Lead",
      description: "Updated description",
      capabilities: ["view_audit_log", "manage_knowledge_slices", "invite_users"],
    }),
  }
);
const role = await response.json();
console.log(role);
```

Response

```json 200 OK
{
  "id": "role_xyz789",
  "name": "Marketing Lead",
  "description": "Updated description",
  "permissions": {},
  "is_base_role": false,
  "is_custom": true,
  "is_system_role": false,
  "capabilities": ["view_audit_log", "manage_knowledge_slices", "invite_users"],
  "member_count": 5,
  "knowledge_slice_ids": [],
  "organization_id": "org_abc123",
  "created_at": "2026-02-20T10:00:00+00:00"
}
```


```json 403 System Role
{
  "success": false,
  "error": {
    "code": "SYSTEM_ROLE_IMMUTABLE",
    "message": "System roles cannot be modified or deleted.",
    "system_message": "System roles cannot be modified",
    "type": "client_error",
    "status": 403,
    "details": { "role_id": "role_admin123", "role_name": "Admin" },
    "trace_id": "abc-123-def",
    "timestamp": "2026-02-28T12:00:00Z"
  }
}
```


```json 404 Not Found
{
  "success": false,
  "error": {
    "code": "ROLE_NOT_FOUND",
    "message": "The requested role could not be found.",
    "system_message": "Role not found",
    "type": "client_error",
    "status": 404,
    "details": { "role_id": "role_nonexistent" },
    "trace_id": "abc-123-def",
    "timestamp": "2026-02-28T12:00:00Z"
  }
}
```

## Related Resources

- [Retrieve role](/docs/api-reference/organizations/roles/retrieve)
- [Create custom role](/docs/api-reference/organizations/roles/create-role)
- [Delete custom role](/docs/api-reference/organizations/roles/delete-role)
- [Role templates](/docs/api-reference/organizations/roles/role-templates)
- [List capabilities](/docs/api-reference/organizations/roles/capabilities)