Teach Your AI Agent
How to Run AdButler
Pre-built workflow packages that give AI coding agents step-by-step instructions for managing ad campaigns, video ads, reporting, targeting, and more — no manual API reading required.
Your Prompt
"Launch a campaign for Acme Corp"Workflow
AdButler Skill
Result
Campaign Live ✓
What Are Skills?
Skills are self-contained packages that teach AI agents how to perform specific AdButler workflows. Each skill contains:
Instructions
Step-by-step workflow written for AI agents, not humans. Includes exact API endpoints, required fields, decision trees, and error handling.
Examples
3 real-world scenarios per skill showing the full workflow from start to finish.
Templates
Working JavaScript code that can be run directly or used as reference.
MCP Awareness
If the AdButler MCP server is connected, skills automatically switch from API calls to MCP tools.
Think of skills as a recipe book for your AI assistant. Instead of reading API docs and figuring out the right sequence of calls, the agent follows a tested, step-by-step workflow.
Skills vs MCP
Two tools, one ecosystem. Here's how they complement each other.
| MCP Server | Skills | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A tool server that gives AI agents direct access to 400+ AdButler API operations | Workflow packages that teach agents the right sequence of operations for a specific task |
| Analogy | A toolbox with every tool in it | A blueprint that tells you which tools to use, in what order, and why |
| How it works | Agent calls individual tools: create_zone, create_placement, etc. | Agent reads instructions, follows numbered steps, handles edge cases automatically |
| Best for | Ad-hoc operations, one-off API calls, exploring the API | End-to-end workflows like launching a campaign or setting up retail media |
| Knowledge required | Agent needs to know AdButler's entity model and API conventions | Zero — the skill teaches the agent everything it needs |
| Install | npx -y @adbutler/mcp-server | npx @adbutler/skills install --all |
Available Skills
Campaign Launch
Create and launch a display ad campaign end-to-end. Covers advertisers, campaigns, creatives, ad items, publishers, zones, schedules, and placements.
VAST Video
Launch video ad campaigns with VAST. Covers VAST campaigns, ad items, linear/non-linear media, companion banners, tracking events, and VAST zones.
Retail Media
Set up a sponsored products network. Covers catalog zones, catalog ad items, auction pricing (CPC/CPM), bid floors, and bulk product creation.
Reporting Dashboard
Pull performance data and analytics. Covers quick reports, geo summaries, click/conversion details, forecasting, and event logs.
Programmatic
Configure programmatic advertising. Covers demand sources, demand endpoints, PMP deals, and zone configuration for OpenRTB.
Targeting & Audiences
Build targeting rules. Covers geo targeting, platform targeting, day-parting, data keys, list targets, postal codes, and audiences.
Contract Management
Manage advertising contracts. Covers contracts, templates, documents, payments, signature requests, and campaign linking.
Channel Management
Group zones into channels for unified delivery. Covers display and VAST channels, zone assignments, and channel-based placements.
Draft Campaigns
Stage everything before going live. Create campaigns, ad items, schedules, and placements in draft mode. Review, edit, then publish.
4 Ways to Get Started
Pick the method that fits your workflow.
Copies skill files into ./adbutler-skills/ for your AI agent to read and follow.
# Install all 9 skills
npx @adbutler/skills install --all
# Or install a specific skill
npx @adbutler/skills install campaign-launchInstalls 9 slash commands into .claude/commands/.
npx @adbutler/skills install-commands/adbutler-launch-campaign
/adbutler-report
/adbutler-vast-videoSkills are built in as prompts. Available automatically in any MCP-compatible client.
npx -y @adbutler/mcp-serverPoint your AI agent at the raw instructions — no install needed.
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/adbutler/skills/main/
skills/adbutler-campaign-launch/instructions.mdSee It in Action
You say:
"Launch a 300×250 banner campaign for Acme Corp on the News Daily website"
The agent:
Works With
Skills are plain Markdown + JavaScript — readable by any LLM-powered agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the MCP server to use skills?
No. Skills work standalone — they include complete API call instructions with fetch() examples. The MCP server is optional but recommended for the best experience.
Do I need an AdButler account?
Yes. You need an AdButler account with API access. Get your API key from Settings → API Keys, then set it as ADBUTLER_API_KEY.
Can I use skills with Cursor or Copilot?
Yes. Skills are plain Markdown files that any AI coding agent can read. The slash commands are Claude Code-specific, but the instructions.md files work everywhere.
How do skills stay up to date?
Skills are versioned on npm. Run npx @adbutler/skills install --all to get the latest version. The MCP server prompts update automatically.
Can I create my own skills?
Yes. Follow the same structure: skill.json + instructions.md + examples/ + templates/. See any existing skill as a template.
What if a skill doesn't cover my use case?
Use the MCP server directly for ad-hoc operations, or combine multiple skills. For example, use the targeting skill to create a geo target, then reference that target ID in the campaign launch skill.
Start Teaching Your AI Agent Today
9 skills. Open source. Ready to use.