# Quickstart: Agent Skills (/quickstart/skills)



<SurfaceStatus id="skills" />

Install one plugin in Claude Code, then ask for a video in plain words. The skill prices it, asks you, then makes it.

You need: a RiffAds workspace on a paid plan and Claude Code. Other clients get the same tools through [MCP](/quickstart/mcp), without the skill.

## Install [#install]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    ### Add the plugin [#add-the-plugin]

    ```bash title="Claude Code"
    /plugin marketplace add riffads-ai/skills
    /plugin install riffads@riffads
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Approve the connection [#approve-the-connection]

    The plugin brings the MCP server `https://mcp.riffads.com`. Claude asks to connect. Sign in in the browser and allow spending.

    No prompt? Add it by hand:

    ```bash title="Terminal"
    claude mcp add --transport http riffads https://mcp.riffads.com
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Pick a workspace [#pick-a-workspace]

    Only if you have several. Pick one at [app.riffads.com/connections](https://app.riffads.com/connections). Until then every call returns `connection_not_configured`.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Make your first video [#make-your-first-video]

Nothing to invoke. Ask:

```text title="Claude Code"
Make an 8 second RiffAds video of a matte black water bottle on wet slate, morning light.
```

The skill then:

1. Checks the connection with `riffads_ping`.
2. Picks a capability (text-to-video, like `veo_31`) and reads its schema.
3. Runs `estimate_generation` and quotes it to you.
4. Waits for your yes, then calls `submit_generation` with `max_credits` set from the quote.
5. Calls `wait_for_generation` until it's done and hands you the link.

Links expire in about 10 minutes. Ask again for a fresh one.

Other things it understands:

* "give me four variants of this image" (up to 4)
* "the same script with three different actors"
* "what would this cost in RiffAds"

## If it stops [#if-it-stops]

<Accordions type="single">
  <Accordion title="Plugin installed, nothing happens">
    The tools are missing, so the skill says RiffAds isn't connected. Approve the connection, then ask again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="connection_not_configured on every call">
    Pick a workspace at [/connections](https://app.riffads.com/connections). Retrying changes nothing.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="read_only_connection">
    The connection can't spend. Reconnect with spending allowed. Owners and admins can widen it.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="spend_limit_exceeded or insufficient_credits">
    A workspace cap blocked it (ask an owner), or you're out of credits (top up in the app).
  </Accordion>
</Accordions>

## Next [#next]

<Cards>
  <Card title="Talking actor ads" href="/guides/talking-actor" description="An actor speaks your script." />

  <Card title="Skills overview" href="/skills/overview" description="What the skills do and enforce." />

  <Card title="MCP tools" href="/mcp/tools" description="Every tool the skills call." />
</Cards>