basecamp-automation

name: basecamp-automation description: "Basecamp Automation via Rube MCP workflow skill. Use this skill when the user needs Automate Basecamp project management, to-dos, messages, people, and to-do list organization via Rube MCP (Composio). Always search tools first for current schemas and the operator should preserve the upstream workflow, copied support files, and provenance before merging or handing off." version: "0.0.1" category: cli-automation tags: ["basecamp-automation", "automate", "basecamp", "project", "management", "to-dos", "messages", "people"] complexity: advanced risk: caution tools: ["codex-cli", "claude-code", "cursor", "gemini-cli", "opencode"] source: community author: "sickn33" date_added: "2026-04-15" date_updated: "2026-04-25"

Basecamp Automation via Rube MCP

Overview

This public intake copy packages plugins/antigravity-awesome-skills-claude/skills/basecamp-automation from https://github.com/sickn33/antigravity-awesome-skills into the native Omni Skills editorial shape without hiding its origin.

Use it when the operator needs the upstream workflow, support files, and repository context to stay intact while the public validator and private enhancer continue their normal downstream flow.

This intake keeps the copied upstream files intact and uses the external_source block in metadata.json plus ORIGIN.md as the provenance anchor for review.

Basecamp Automation via Rube MCP Automate Basecamp operations including project management, to-do list creation, task management, message board posting, people management, and to-do group organization through Composio's Basecamp toolkit.

Imported source sections that did not map cleanly to the public headings are still preserved below or in the support files. Notable imported sections: Prerequisites, Common Patterns, Known Pitfalls, Limitations.

When to Use This Skill

Use this section as the trigger filter. It should make the activation boundary explicit before the operator loads files, runs commands, or opens a pull request.

• This skill is applicable to execute the workflow or actions described in the overview.
• Use when the request clearly matches the imported source intent: Automate Basecamp project management, to-dos, messages, people, and to-do list organization via Rube MCP (Composio). Always search tools first for current schemas.
• Use when the operator should preserve upstream workflow detail instead of rewriting the process from scratch.
• Use when provenance needs to stay visible in the answer, PR, or review packet.
• Use when copied upstream references, examples, or scripts materially improve the answer.
• Use when the workflow should remain reviewable in the public intake repo before the private enhancer takes over.

Operating Table

Workflow

This workflow is intentionally editorial and operational at the same time. It keeps the imported source useful to the operator while still satisfying the public intake standards that feed the downstream enhancer flow.

1. Verify Rube MCP is available by confirming RUBESEARCHTOOLS responds
2. Call RUBEMANAGECONNECTIONS with toolkit basecamp
3. If connection is not ACTIVE, follow the returned auth link to complete Basecamp OAuth
4. Confirm connection status shows ACTIVE before running any workflows
5. BASECAMPGETPROJECTS - List projects to find the target bucket_id [Prerequisite]
6. BASECAMPGETBUCKETS_TODOSETS - Get the to-do set within a project [Prerequisite]
7. BASECAMPGETBUCKETSTODOSETSTODOLISTS - List existing to-do lists to avoid duplicates [Optional]

Imported Workflow Notes

Imported: Setup

Get Rube MCP: Add https://rube.app/mcp as an MCP server in your client configuration. No API keys needed — just add the endpoint and it works.

1. Verify Rube MCP is available by confirming RUBE_SEARCH_TOOLS responds
2. Call RUBE_MANAGE_CONNECTIONS with toolkit basecamp
3. If connection is not ACTIVE, follow the returned auth link to complete Basecamp OAuth
4. Confirm connection status shows ACTIVE before running any workflows

Imported: Core Workflows

1. Manage To-Do Lists and Tasks

When to use: User wants to create to-do lists, add tasks, or organize work within a Basecamp project

Tool sequence:

1. BASECAMP_GET_PROJECTS - List projects to find the target bucket_id [Prerequisite]
2. BASECAMP_GET_BUCKETS_TODOSETS - Get the to-do set within a project [Prerequisite]
3. BASECAMP_GET_BUCKETS_TODOSETS_TODOLISTS - List existing to-do lists to avoid duplicates [Optional]
4. BASECAMP_POST_BUCKETS_TODOSETS_TODOLISTS - Create a new to-do list in a to-do set [Required for list creation]
5. BASECAMP_GET_BUCKETS_TODOLISTS - Get details of a specific to-do list [Optional]
6. BASECAMP_POST_BUCKETS_TODOLISTS_TODOS - Create a to-do item in a to-do list [Required for task creation]
7. BASECAMP_CREATE_TODO - Alternative tool for creating individual to-dos [Alternative]
8. BASECAMP_GET_BUCKETS_TODOLISTS_TODOS - List to-dos within a to-do list [Optional]

Key parameters for creating to-do lists:

• bucket_id: Integer project/bucket ID (from GET_PROJECTS)
• todoset_id: Integer to-do set ID (from GET_BUCKETS_TODOSETS)
• name: Title of the to-do list (required)
• description: HTML-formatted description (supports Rich text)

Key parameters for creating to-dos:

• bucket_id: Integer project/bucket ID
• todolist_id: Integer to-do list ID
• content: What the to-do is for (required)
• description: HTML details about the to-do
• assignee_ids: Array of integer person IDs
• due_on: Due date in YYYY-MM-DD format
• starts_on: Start date in YYYY-MM-DD format
• notify: Boolean to notify assignees (defaults to false)
• completion_subscriber_ids: Person IDs notified upon completion

Pitfalls:

• A project (bucket) can contain multiple to-do sets; selecting the wrong todoset_id creates lists in the wrong section
• Always check existing to-do lists before creating to avoid near-duplicate names
• Success payloads include user-facing URLs (app_url, app_todos_url); prefer returning these over raw IDs
• All IDs (bucket_id, todoset_id, todolist_id) are integers, not strings
• Descriptions support HTML formatting only, not Markdown

2. Post and Manage Messages

When to use: User wants to post messages to a project message board or update existing messages

Tool sequence:

1. BASECAMP_GET_PROJECTS - Find the target project and bucket_id [Prerequisite]
2. BASECAMP_GET_MESSAGE_BOARD - Get the message board ID for the project [Prerequisite]
3. BASECAMP_CREATE_MESSAGE - Create a new message on the board [Required]
4. BASECAMP_POST_BUCKETS_MESSAGE_BOARDS_MESSAGES - Alternative message creation tool [Fallback]
5. BASECAMP_GET_MESSAGE - Read a specific message by ID [Optional]
6. BASECAMP_PUT_BUCKETS_MESSAGES - Update an existing message [Optional]

Key parameters:

• bucket_id: Integer project/bucket ID
• message_board_id: Integer message board ID (from GET_MESSAGE_BOARD)
• subject: Message title (required)
• content: HTML body of the message
• status: Set to "active" to publish immediately
• category_id: Message type classification (optional)
• subscriptions: Array of person IDs to notify; omit to notify all project members

Pitfalls:

• status="draft" can produce HTTP 400; use status="active" as the reliable option
• bucket_id and message_board_id must belong to the same project; mismatches fail or misroute
• Message content supports HTML tags only; not Markdown
• Updates via PUT_BUCKETS_MESSAGES replace the entire body -- include the full corrected content, not just a diff
• Prefer app_url from the response for user-facing confirmation links
• Both CREATE_MESSAGE and POST_BUCKETS_MESSAGE_BOARDS_MESSAGES do the same thing; use CREATE_MESSAGE first and fall back to POST if it fails

3. Manage People and Access

When to use: User wants to list people, manage project access, or add new users

Tool sequence:

1. BASECAMP_GET_PEOPLE - List all people visible to the current user [Required]
2. BASECAMP_GET_PROJECTS - Find the target project [Prerequisite]
3. BASECAMP_LIST_PROJECT_PEOPLE - List people on a specific project [Required]
4. BASECAMP_GET_PROJECTS_PEOPLE - Alternative to list project members [Alternative]
5. BASECAMP_PUT_PROJECTS_PEOPLE_USERS - Grant or revoke project access [Required for access changes]

Key parameters for PUT_PROJECTS_PEOPLE_USERS:

• project_id: Integer project ID
• grant: Array of integer person IDs to add to the project
• revoke: Array of integer person IDs to remove from the project
• create: Array of objects with name, email_address, and optional company_name, title for new users
• At least one of grant, revoke, or create must be provided

Pitfalls:

• Person IDs are integers; always resolve names to IDs via GET_PEOPLE first
• project_id for people management is the same as bucket_id for other operations
• LIST_PROJECT_PEOPLE and GET_PROJECTS_PEOPLE are near-identical; use either
• Creating users via create also grants them project access in one step

4. Organize To-Dos with Groups

When to use: User wants to organize to-dos within a list into color-coded groups

Tool sequence:

1. BASECAMP_GET_PROJECTS - Find the target project [Prerequisite]
2. BASECAMP_GET_BUCKETS_TODOLISTS - Get the to-do list details [Prerequisite]
3. BASECAMP_GET_TODOLIST_GROUPS - List existing groups in a to-do list [Optional]
4. BASECAMP_GET_BUCKETS_TODOLISTS_GROUPS - Alternative group listing [Alternative]
5. BASECAMP_POST_BUCKETS_TODOLISTS_GROUPS - Create a new group in a to-do list [Required]
6. BASECAMP_CREATE_TODOLIST_GROUP - Alternative group creation tool [Alternative]

Key parameters:

• bucket_id: Integer project/bucket ID
• todolist_id: Integer to-do list ID
• name: Group title (required)
• color: Visual color identifier -- one of: white, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, aqua, purple, gray, pink, brown
• status: Filter for listing -- "archived" or "trashed" (omit for active groups)

Pitfalls:

• POST_BUCKETS_TODOLISTS_GROUPS and CREATE_TODOLIST_GROUP are near-identical; use either
• Color values must be from the fixed palette; arbitrary hex/rgb values are not supported
• Groups are sub-sections within a to-do list, not standalone entities

5. Browse and Inspect Projects

When to use: User wants to list projects, get project details, or explore project structure

Tool sequence:

1. BASECAMP_GET_PROJECTS - List all active projects [Required]
2. BASECAMP_GET_PROJECT - Get comprehensive details for a specific project [Optional]
3. BASECAMP_GET_PROJECTS_BY_PROJECT_ID - Alternative project detail retrieval [Alternative]

Key parameters:

• status: Filter by "archived" or "trashed"; omit for active projects
• project_id: Integer project ID for detailed retrieval

Pitfalls:

• Projects are sorted by most recently created first
• The response includes a dock array with tools (todoset, message_board, etc.) and their IDs
• Use the dock tool IDs to find todoset_id, message_board_id, etc. for downstream operations

Imported: Prerequisites

• Rube MCP must be connected (RUBE_SEARCH_TOOLS available)
• Active Basecamp connection via RUBE_MANAGE_CONNECTIONS with toolkit basecamp
• Always call RUBE_SEARCH_TOOLS first to get current tool schemas

Examples

Example 1: Ask for the upstream workflow directly

Use @basecamp-automation to handle <task>. Start from the copied upstream workflow, load only the files that change the outcome, and keep provenance visible in the answer.

Explanation: This is the safest starting point when the operator needs the imported workflow, but not the entire repository.

Example 2: Ask for a provenance-grounded review

Review @basecamp-automation against metadata.json and ORIGIN.md, then explain which copied upstream files you would load first and why.

Explanation: Use this before review or troubleshooting when you need a precise, auditable explanation of origin and file selection.

Example 3: Narrow the copied support files before execution

Use @basecamp-automation for <task>. Load only the copied references, examples, or scripts that change the outcome, and name the files explicitly before proceeding.

Explanation: This keeps the skill aligned with progressive disclosure instead of loading the whole copied package by default.

Example 4: Build a reviewer packet

Review @basecamp-automation using the copied upstream files plus provenance, then summarize any gaps before merge.

Explanation: This is useful when the PR is waiting for human review and you want a repeatable audit packet.

Best Practices

Treat the generated public skill as a reviewable packaging layer around the upstream repository. The goal is to keep provenance explicit and load only the copied source material that materially improves execution.

• Keep the imported skill grounded in the upstream repository; do not invent steps that the source material cannot support.
• Prefer the smallest useful set of support files so the workflow stays auditable and fast to review.
• Keep provenance, source commit, and imported file paths visible in notes and PR descriptions.
• Point directly at the copied upstream files that justify the workflow instead of relying on generic review boilerplate.
• Treat generated examples as scaffolding; adapt them to the concrete task before execution.
• Route to a stronger native skill when architecture, debugging, design, or security concerns become dominant.

Troubleshooting

Problem: The operator skipped the imported context and answered too generically

Symptoms: The result ignores the upstream workflow in plugins/antigravity-awesome-skills-claude/skills/basecamp-automation, fails to mention provenance, or does not use any copied source files at all. Solution: Re-open metadata.json, ORIGIN.md, and the most relevant copied upstream files. Check the external_source block first, then restate the provenance before continuing.

Problem: The imported workflow feels incomplete during review

Symptoms: Reviewers can see the generated SKILL.md, but they cannot quickly tell which references, examples, or scripts matter for the current task. Solution: Point at the exact copied references, examples, scripts, or assets that justify the path you took. If the gap is still real, record it in the PR instead of hiding it.

Problem: The task drifted into a different specialization

Symptoms: The imported skill starts in the right place, but the work turns into debugging, architecture, design, security, or release orchestration that a native skill handles better. Solution: Use the related skills section to hand off deliberately. Keep the imported provenance visible so the next skill inherits the right context instead of starting blind.

Related Skills

• @00-andruia-consultant - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.
• @00-andruia-consultant-v2 - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.
• @10-andruia-skill-smith - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.
• @10-andruia-skill-smith-v2 - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.

Additional Resources

Use this support matrix and the linked files below as the operator packet for this imported skill. They should reflect real copied source material, not generic scaffolding.

Imported Reference Notes

Imported: Quick Reference

Imported: Common Patterns

ID Resolution

Basecamp uses a hierarchical ID structure. Always resolve top-down:

• Project (bucket_id): BASECAMP_GET_PROJECTS -- find by name, capture the id
• To-do set (todoset_id): Found in project dock or via BASECAMP_GET_BUCKETS_TODOSETS
• Message board (message_board_id): Found in project dock or via BASECAMP_GET_MESSAGE_BOARD
• To-do list (todolist_id): BASECAMP_GET_BUCKETS_TODOSETS_TODOLISTS
• People (person_id): BASECAMP_GET_PEOPLE or BASECAMP_LIST_PROJECT_PEOPLE
• Note: bucket_id and project_id refer to the same entity in different contexts

Pagination

Basecamp uses page-based pagination on list endpoints:

• Response headers or body may indicate more pages available
• GET_PROJECTS, GET_BUCKETS_TODOSETS_TODOLISTS, and list endpoints return paginated results
• Continue fetching until no more results are returned

Content Formatting

• All rich text fields use HTML, not Markdown
• Wrap content in <div> tags; use <strong>, <em>, <ul>, <ol>, <li>, <a> etc.
• Example: <div><strong>Important:</strong> Complete by Friday</div>

Imported: Known Pitfalls

ID Formats

• All Basecamp IDs are integers, not strings or UUIDs
• bucket_id = project_id (same entity, different parameter names across tools)
• To-do set IDs, to-do list IDs, and message board IDs are found in the project's dock array
• Person IDs are integers; resolve names via GET_PEOPLE before operations

Status Field

• status="draft" for messages can cause HTTP 400; always use status="active"
• Project/to-do list status filters: "archived", "trashed", or omit for active

Content Format

• HTML only, never Markdown
• Updates replace the entire body, not a partial diff
• Invalid HTML tags may be silently stripped

Rate Limits

• Basecamp API has rate limits; space out rapid sequential requests
• Large projects with many to-dos should be paginated carefully

URL Handling

• Prefer app_url from API responses for user-facing links
• Do not reconstruct Basecamp URLs manually from IDs

Imported: Limitations

• Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
• Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
• Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.