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# read_handle

> Verify a signed handle and return the conversation id inside it.

[ref-chatgateway]: /docs/server-sdks/reference/python/agents/chat-gateway

[minthandle]: /docs/server-sdks/reference/python/agents/chat-gateway/mint-handle

Return the conversation id inside a handle. The signature is verified first and the expiry second,
both before the id is trusted for anything.

## **Parameters**

**`handle`** `str` — required

A handle this gateway issued, as returned by [`mint_handle()`][minthandle] or the
`X-Chat-Handle` response header.

---

## **Returns**

`str` — the conversation id.

## **Raises**

`GatewayRejection`, carrying the status the browser should see:

**`400 malformed handle`** `GatewayRejection`

The handle is not two base64url parts, or its payload does not decode.

---

**`403 invalid handle`** `GatewayRejection`

The signature does not match, so this gateway did not issue it.

---

**`403 expired handle`** `GatewayRejection`

The handle is past its `handle_ttl`.

---

An expired handle is normal rather than exceptional. Every long-lived conversation reaches it
eventually, so treat it as "start a new conversation" instead of something to show the visitor.

## **Example**

```python {8}
from signalwire.ai_chat import ChatGateway, GatewayRejection

gateway = ChatGateway(config_url="https://bayview-taxi.example.com/swml")


def conversation_for(handle: str) -> str | None:
    try:
        return gateway.read_handle(handle)
    except GatewayRejection as rejection:
        if rejection.status == 403:
            return None  # expired or forged; start fresh
        raise
```

> Verify a signed handle and return the conversation id inside it.