Basecamp Automation

1---
2name: basecamp-automation
3description: "Automate Basecamp project management, to-dos, messages, people, and to-do list organization via Rube MCP (Composio). Always search tools first for current schemas."
4requires:
5  mcp: [rube]
6---
7 
8# Basecamp Automation via Rube MCP
9 
10Automate 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.
11 
12## Prerequisites
13 
14- Rube MCP must be connected (RUBE_SEARCH_TOOLS available)
15- Active Basecamp connection via `RUBE_MANAGE_CONNECTIONS` with toolkit `basecamp`
16- Always call `RUBE_SEARCH_TOOLS` first to get current tool schemas
17 
18## Setup
19 
20**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.
21 
22 
231. Verify Rube MCP is available by confirming `RUBE_SEARCH_TOOLS` responds
242. Call `RUBE_MANAGE_CONNECTIONS` with toolkit `basecamp`
253. If connection is not ACTIVE, follow the returned auth link to complete Basecamp OAuth
264. Confirm connection status shows ACTIVE before running any workflows
27 
28## Core Workflows
29 
30### 1. Manage To-Do Lists and Tasks
31 
32**When to use**: User wants to create to-do lists, add tasks, or organize work within a Basecamp project
33 
34**Tool sequence**:
351. `BASECAMP_GET_PROJECTS` - List projects to find the target bucket_id [Prerequisite]
362. `BASECAMP_GET_BUCKETS_TODOSETS` - Get the to-do set within a project [Prerequisite]
373. `BASECAMP_GET_BUCKETS_TODOSETS_TODOLISTS` - List existing to-do lists to avoid duplicates [Optional]
384. `BASECAMP_POST_BUCKETS_TODOSETS_TODOLISTS` - Create a new to-do list in a to-do set [Required for list creation]
395. `BASECAMP_GET_BUCKETS_TODOLISTS` - Get details of a specific to-do list [Optional]
406. `BASECAMP_POST_BUCKETS_TODOLISTS_TODOS` - Create a to-do item in a to-do list [Required for task creation]
417. `BASECAMP_CREATE_TODO` - Alternative tool for creating individual to-dos [Alternative]
428. `BASECAMP_GET_BUCKETS_TODOLISTS_TODOS` - List to-dos within a to-do list [Optional]
43 
44**Key parameters for creating to-do lists**:
45- `bucket_id`: Integer project/bucket ID (from GET_PROJECTS)
46- `todoset_id`: Integer to-do set ID (from GET_BUCKETS_TODOSETS)
47- `name`: Title of the to-do list (required)
48- `description`: HTML-formatted description (supports Rich text)
49 
50**Key parameters for creating to-dos**:
51- `bucket_id`: Integer project/bucket ID
52- `todolist_id`: Integer to-do list ID
53- `content`: What the to-do is for (required)
54- `description`: HTML details about the to-do
55- `assignee_ids`: Array of integer person IDs
56- `due_on`: Due date in `YYYY-MM-DD` format
57- `starts_on`: Start date in `YYYY-MM-DD` format
58- `notify`: Boolean to notify assignees (defaults to false)
59- `completion_subscriber_ids`: Person IDs notified upon completion
60 
61**Pitfalls**:
62- A project (bucket) can contain multiple to-do sets; selecting the wrong `todoset_id` creates lists in the wrong section
63- Always check existing to-do lists before creating to avoid near-duplicate names
64- Success payloads include user-facing URLs (`app_url`, `app_todos_url`); prefer returning these over raw IDs
65- All IDs (`bucket_id`, `todoset_id`, `todolist_id`) are integers, not strings
66- Descriptions support HTML formatting only, not Markdown
67 
68### 2. Post and Manage Messages
69 
70**When to use**: User wants to post messages to a project message board or update existing messages
71 
72**Tool sequence**:
731. `BASECAMP_GET_PROJECTS` - Find the target project and bucket_id [Prerequisite]
742. `BASECAMP_GET_MESSAGE_BOARD` - Get the message board ID for the project [Prerequisite]
753. `BASECAMP_CREATE_MESSAGE` - Create a new message on the board [Required]
764. `BASECAMP_POST_BUCKETS_MESSAGE_BOARDS_MESSAGES` - Alternative message creation tool [Fallback]
775. `BASECAMP_GET_MESSAGE` - Read a specific message by ID [Optional]
786. `BASECAMP_PUT_BUCKETS_MESSAGES` - Update an existing message [Optional]
79 
80**Key parameters**:
81- `bucket_id`: Integer project/bucket ID
82- `message_board_id`: Integer message board ID (from GET_MESSAGE_BOARD)
83- `subject`: Message title (required)
84- `content`: HTML body of the message
85- `status`: Set to `"active"` to publish immediately
86- `category_id`: Message type classification (optional)
87- `subscriptions`: Array of person IDs to notify; omit to notify all project members
88 
89**Pitfalls**:
90- `status="draft"` can produce HTTP 400; use `status="active"` as the reliable option
91- `bucket_id` and `message_board_id` must belong to the same project; mismatches fail or misroute
92- Message content supports HTML tags only; not Markdown
93- Updates via `PUT_BUCKETS_MESSAGES` replace the entire body -- include the full corrected content, not just a diff
94- Prefer `app_url` from the response for user-facing confirmation links
95- 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
96 
97### 3. Manage People and Access
98 
99**When to use**: User wants to list people, manage project access, or add new users
100 
101**Tool sequence**:
1021. `BASECAMP_GET_PEOPLE` - List all people visible to the current user [Required]
1032. `BASECAMP_GET_PROJECTS` - Find the target project [Prerequisite]
1043. `BASECAMP_LIST_PROJECT_PEOPLE` - List people on a specific project [Required]
1054. `BASECAMP_GET_PROJECTS_PEOPLE` - Alternative to list project members [Alternative]
1065. `BASECAMP_PUT_PROJECTS_PEOPLE_USERS` - Grant or revoke project access [Required for access changes]
107 
108**Key parameters for PUT_PROJECTS_PEOPLE_USERS**:
109- `project_id`: Integer project ID
110- `grant`: Array of integer person IDs to add to the project
111- `revoke`: Array of integer person IDs to remove from the project
112- `create`: Array of objects with `name`, `email_address`, and optional `company_name`, `title` for new users
113- At least one of `grant`, `revoke`, or `create` must be provided
114 
115**Pitfalls**:
116- Person IDs are integers; always resolve names to IDs via GET_PEOPLE first
117- `project_id` for people management is the same as `bucket_id` for other operations
118- `LIST_PROJECT_PEOPLE` and `GET_PROJECTS_PEOPLE` are near-identical; use either
119- Creating users via `create` also grants them project access in one step
120 
121### 4. Organize To-Dos with Groups
122 
123**When to use**: User wants to organize to-dos within a list into color-coded groups
124 
125**Tool sequence**:
1261. `BASECAMP_GET_PROJECTS` - Find the target project [Prerequisite]
1272. `BASECAMP_GET_BUCKETS_TODOLISTS` - Get the to-do list details [Prerequisite]
1283. `BASECAMP_GET_TODOLIST_GROUPS` - List existing groups in a to-do list [Optional]
1294. `BASECAMP_GET_BUCKETS_TODOLISTS_GROUPS` - Alternative group listing [Alternative]
1305. `BASECAMP_POST_BUCKETS_TODOLISTS_GROUPS` - Create a new group in a to-do list [Required]
1316. `BASECAMP_CREATE_TODOLIST_GROUP` - Alternative group creation tool [Alternative]
132 
133**Key parameters**:
134- `bucket_id`: Integer project/bucket ID
135- `todolist_id`: Integer to-do list ID
136- `name`: Group title (required)
137- `color`: Visual color identifier -- one of: `white`, `red`, `orange`, `yellow`, `green`, `blue`, `aqua`, `purple`, `gray`, `pink`, `brown`
138- `status`: Filter for listing -- `"archived"` or `"trashed"` (omit for active groups)
139 
140**Pitfalls**:
141- `POST_BUCKETS_TODOLISTS_GROUPS` and `CREATE_TODOLIST_GROUP` are near-identical; use either
142- Color values must be from the fixed palette; arbitrary hex/rgb values are not supported
143- Groups are sub-sections within a to-do list, not standalone entities
144 
145### 5. Browse and Inspect Projects
146 
147**When to use**: User wants to list projects, get project details, or explore project structure
148 
149**Tool sequence**:
1501. `BASECAMP_GET_PROJECTS` - List all active projects [Required]
1512. `BASECAMP_GET_PROJECT` - Get comprehensive details for a specific project [Optional]
1523. `BASECAMP_GET_PROJECTS_BY_PROJECT_ID` - Alternative project detail retrieval [Alternative]
153 
154**Key parameters**:
155- `status`: Filter by `"archived"` or `"trashed"`; omit for active projects
156- `project_id`: Integer project ID for detailed retrieval
157 
158**Pitfalls**:
159- Projects are sorted by most recently created first
160- The response includes a `dock` array with tools (todoset, message_board, etc.) and their IDs
161- Use the dock tool IDs to find `todoset_id`, `message_board_id`, etc. for downstream operations
162 
163## Common Patterns
164 
165### ID Resolution
166Basecamp uses a hierarchical ID structure. Always resolve top-down:
167- **Project (bucket_id)**: `BASECAMP_GET_PROJECTS` -- find by name, capture the `id`
168- **To-do set (todoset_id)**: Found in project dock or via `BASECAMP_GET_BUCKETS_TODOSETS`
169- **Message board (message_board_id)**: Found in project dock or via `BASECAMP_GET_MESSAGE_BOARD`
170- **To-do list (todolist_id)**: `BASECAMP_GET_BUCKETS_TODOSETS_TODOLISTS`
171- **People (person_id)**: `BASECAMP_GET_PEOPLE` or `BASECAMP_LIST_PROJECT_PEOPLE`
172- Note: `bucket_id` and `project_id` refer to the same entity in different contexts
173 
174### Pagination
175Basecamp uses page-based pagination on list endpoints:
176- Response headers or body may indicate more pages available
177- `GET_PROJECTS`, `GET_BUCKETS_TODOSETS_TODOLISTS`, and list endpoints return paginated results
178- Continue fetching until no more results are returned
179 
180### Content Formatting
181- All rich text fields use HTML, not Markdown
182- Wrap content in `<div>` tags; use `<strong>`, `<em>`, `<ul>`, `<ol>`, `<li>`, `<a>` etc.
183- Example: `<div><strong>Important:</strong> Complete by Friday</div>`
184 
185## Known Pitfalls
186 
187### ID Formats
188- All Basecamp IDs are integers, not strings or UUIDs
189- `bucket_id` = `project_id` (same entity, different parameter names across tools)
190- To-do set IDs, to-do list IDs, and message board IDs are found in the project's `dock` array
191- Person IDs are integers; resolve names via `GET_PEOPLE` before operations
192 
193### Status Field
194- `status="draft"` for messages can cause HTTP 400; always use `status="active"`
195- Project/to-do list status filters: `"archived"`, `"trashed"`, or omit for active
196 
197### Content Format
198- HTML only, never Markdown
199- Updates replace the entire body, not a partial diff
200- Invalid HTML tags may be silently stripped
201 
202### Rate Limits
203- Basecamp API has rate limits; space out rapid sequential requests
204- Large projects with many to-dos should be paginated carefully
205 
206### URL Handling
207- Prefer `app_url` from API responses for user-facing links
208- Do not reconstruct Basecamp URLs manually from IDs
209 
210## Quick Reference
211 
212| Task | Tool Slug | Key Params |
213|------|-----------|------------|
214| List projects | `BASECAMP_GET_PROJECTS` | `status` |
215| Get project | `BASECAMP_GET_PROJECT` | `project_id` |
216| Get project detail | `BASECAMP_GET_PROJECTS_BY_PROJECT_ID` | `project_id` |
217| Get to-do set | `BASECAMP_GET_BUCKETS_TODOSETS` | `bucket_id`, `todoset_id` |
218| List to-do lists | `BASECAMP_GET_BUCKETS_TODOSETS_TODOLISTS` | `bucket_id`, `todoset_id` |
219| Get to-do list | `BASECAMP_GET_BUCKETS_TODOLISTS` | `bucket_id`, `todolist_id` |
220| Create to-do list | `BASECAMP_POST_BUCKETS_TODOSETS_TODOLISTS` | `bucket_id`, `todoset_id`, `name` |
221| Create to-do | `BASECAMP_POST_BUCKETS_TODOLISTS_TODOS` | `bucket_id`, `todolist_id`, `content` |
222| Create to-do (alt) | `BASECAMP_CREATE_TODO` | `bucket_id`, `todolist_id`, `content` |
223| List to-dos | `BASECAMP_GET_BUCKETS_TODOLISTS_TODOS` | `bucket_id`, `todolist_id` |
224| List to-do groups | `BASECAMP_GET_TODOLIST_GROUPS` | `bucket_id`, `todolist_id` |
225| Create to-do group | `BASECAMP_POST_BUCKETS_TODOLISTS_GROUPS` | `bucket_id`, `todolist_id`, `name`, `color` |
226| Create to-do group (alt) | `BASECAMP_CREATE_TODOLIST_GROUP` | `bucket_id`, `todolist_id`, `name` |
227| Get message board | `BASECAMP_GET_MESSAGE_BOARD` | `bucket_id`, `message_board_id` |
228| Create message | `BASECAMP_CREATE_MESSAGE` | `bucket_id`, `message_board_id`, `subject`, `status` |
229| Create message (alt) | `BASECAMP_POST_BUCKETS_MESSAGE_BOARDS_MESSAGES` | `bucket_id`, `message_board_id`, `subject` |
230| Get message | `BASECAMP_GET_MESSAGE` | `bucket_id`, `message_id` |
231| Update message | `BASECAMP_PUT_BUCKETS_MESSAGES` | `bucket_id`, `message_id` |
232| List all people | `BASECAMP_GET_PEOPLE` | (none) |
233| List project people | `BASECAMP_LIST_PROJECT_PEOPLE` | `project_id` |
234| Manage access | `BASECAMP_PUT_PROJECTS_PEOPLE_USERS` | `project_id`, `grant`, `revoke`, `create` |
235