> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://agenticadvertisingorg-snap-format-preview-links.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# build_creative

Transform or generate a creative manifest for a specific format. This task takes a source manifest (which may be minimal for pure generation) and produces a target manifest in the specified format.

**Key concept**: `build_creative` is fundamentally a **transformation** - it takes a creative manifest as input and produces a creative manifest as output. For pure generation (creating from scratch), the source manifest is minimal (just format and seed assets). For transformation (e.g., resizing, reformatting), the source is a complete creative.

For information about format IDs and how to reference formats, see [Creative Formats - Referencing Formats](/dist/docs/2.5.3/creative/formats.mdx#referencing-formats).

## Request Parameters

| Parameter           | Type   | Required | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| ------------------- | ------ | -------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `message`           | string | No       | Natural language instructions for the transformation or generation. For pure generation, this is the creative brief. For transformation, this provides guidance on how to adapt the creative.                                                                                                                                                                  |
| `creative_manifest` | object | No       | Creative manifest to transform or generate from (see [Creative Manifest](https://adcontextprotocol.org/schemas/v2/core/creative-manifest.json)). For pure generation, this should include the target format\_id and any required input assets (e.g., `promoted_offerings` for generative formats). For transformation, this is the complete creative to adapt. |
| `target_format_id`  | object | Yes      | Format ID to generate. Object with `agent_url` and `id` fields. The format definition specifies required input assets.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |

**Important**: Required inputs like `promoted_offerings` should be included in the `creative_manifest.assets` object, not as separate task parameters. The format definition specifies what assets it requires.

## Use Cases

### Pure Generation (Creating from Scratch)

For pure generation, provide a minimal source manifest with the required input assets defined by the format:

```json theme={null}
{
  "message": "Create a banner promoting our winter sale with a warm, inviting feel",
  "target_format_id": {
    "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org",
    "id": "display_300x250_generative"
  },
  "creative_manifest": {
    "format_id": {
      "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org",
      "id": "display_300x250_generative"
    },
    "assets": {
      "promoted_offerings": {
        "brand_manifest": {
          "url": "https://mybrand.com",
          "colors": {"primary": "#FF0000"}
        },
        "inline_offerings": [
          {
            "name": "Winter Sale Collection",
            "description": "50% off all winter items"
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  }
}
```

### Transformation (Adapting Existing Creative)

For transformation, provide the complete source manifest:

```json theme={null}
{
  "message": "Adapt this creative for mobile, making the text larger and CTA more prominent",
  "creative_manifest": {
    "format_id": {
      "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org",
      "id": "display_300x250"
    },
    "assets": {
      "banner_image": {
        "asset_type": "image",
        "url": "https://cdn.example.com/original-banner.png",
        "width": 300,
        "height": 250
      },
      "headline": {
        "asset_type": "text",
        "content": "Winter Sale - 50% Off"
      }
    }
  },
  "target_format_id": {
    "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org",
    "id": "display_mobile_320x50"
  }
}
```

### Format Resizing

Transform an existing creative to a different size:

```json theme={null}
{
  "creative_manifest": {
    "format_id": {
      "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org",
      "id": "display_728x90"
    },
    "assets": { /* complete assets */ }
  },
  "target_format_id": {
    "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org",
    "id": "display_300x250"
  }
}
```

## Response Format

The response contains the transformed or generated creative manifest:

```json theme={null}
{
  "creative_manifest": {
    "format_id": {
      "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org",
      "id": "display_300x250"
    },
    "promoted_offering": "Winter Sale Collection",
    "assets": {
      "banner_image": {
        "asset_type": "image",
        "url": "https://cdn.example.com/generated-banner.png",
        "width": 300,
        "height": 250
      },
      "headline": {
        "asset_type": "text",
        "content": "50% Off Winter Sale"
      },
      "clickthrough_url": {
        "asset_type": "url",
        "url": "https://mybrand.com/winter-sale"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

### Field Descriptions

* **creative\_manifest**: The complete creative manifest ready for use with `sync_creatives` or `preview_creative`
* **format\_id**: The target format (matches `target_format_id` from request)
* **promoted\_offering**: Product/offering being advertised (optional)
* **assets**: Map of asset IDs to actual asset content, matching the format's `assets_required` specification

## Workflow Integration

### Typical Generation Workflow

1. **Build**: Use `build_creative` to generate/transform the manifest
2. **Preview**: Use `preview_creative` to see how it renders (see [preview\_creative](/dist/docs/2.5.3/creative/task-reference/preview_creative))
3. **Sync**: Use `sync_creatives` to traffic the finalized creative

```json theme={null}
// Step 1: Build (generative format)
{
  "message": "Create a display banner for our winter sale",
  "target_format_id": {"agent_url": "...", "id": "display_300x250_generative"},
  "creative_manifest": {
    "format_id": {"agent_url": "...", "id": "display_300x250_generative"},
    "assets": {
      "promoted_offerings": {
        "brand_manifest": { /* brand data */ },
        "inline_offerings": [ /* products */ ]
      }
    }
  }
}

// Step 2: Preview (using the output manifest from step 1)
{
  "format_id": {"agent_url": "...", "id": "display_300x250"},
  "creative_manifest": {
    /* output from build_creative - includes all assets */
  },
  "inputs": [{"name": "Desktop view"}, {"name": "Mobile view"}]
}

// Step 3: Sync (if preview looks good)
{
  "creative_manifests": [{ /* approved manifest from build_creative */ }]
}
```

**Key insight**: The manifest carries everything. `promoted_offerings` (if required by the format) is included in `creative_manifest.assets` for build, flows through to the output manifest, and is available in the output for preview. No need to pass it separately at each step.

## Examples

### Example 1: Pure Generation (Generative Format)

Generate a creative from scratch using a generative format that requires `promoted_offerings`:

```json theme={null}
{
  "message": "Create a display banner for our winter sale. Use warm colors and emphasize the 50% discount",
  "target_format_id": {
    "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org",
    "id": "display_300x250_generative"
  },
  "creative_manifest": {
    "format_id": {
      "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org",
      "id": "display_300x250_generative"
    },
    "assets": {
      "promoted_offerings": {
        "brand_manifest": {
          "url": "https://mybrand.com",
          "name": "My Brand",
          "colors": {
            "primary": "#FF5733",
            "secondary": "#C70039"
          }
        },
        "inline_offerings": [
          {
            "name": "Winter Sale Collection",
            "description": "50% off all winter items"
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  }
}
```

**Response**:

```json theme={null}
{
  "creative_manifest": {
    "format_id": {
      "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org",
      "id": "display_300x250"
    },
    "promoted_offering": "Winter Sale Collection",
    "assets": {
      "banner_image": {
        "asset_type": "image",
        "url": "https://cdn.creative-agent.com/generated/banner_12345.png",
        "width": 300,
        "height": 250
      },
      "clickthrough_url": {
        "asset_type": "url",
        "url": "https://mybrand.com/winter-sale"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

### Example 2: Format Transformation

Transform an existing 728x90 leaderboard to a 300x250 banner:

```json theme={null}
{
  "message": "Adapt this leaderboard creative to a 300x250 banner format",
  "creative_manifest": {
    "format_id": {
      "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org",
      "id": "display_728x90"
    },
    "promoted_offering": "Spring Collection",
    "assets": {
      "banner_image": {
        "asset_type": "image",
        "url": "https://cdn.mybrand.com/leaderboard.png",
        "width": 728,
        "height": 90
      },
      "headline": {
        "asset_type": "text",
        "content": "Spring Sale - 30% Off Everything"
      },
      "clickthrough_url": {
        "asset_type": "url",
        "url": "https://mybrand.com/spring"
      }
    }
  },
  "target_format_id": {
    "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org",
    "id": "display_300x250"
  }
}
```

**Response**:

```json theme={null}
{
  "creative_manifest": {
    "format_id": {
      "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org",
      "id": "display_300x250"
    },
    "promoted_offering": "Spring Collection",
    "assets": {
      "banner_image": {
        "asset_type": "image",
        "url": "https://cdn.creative-agent.com/resized/banner_67890.png",
        "width": 300,
        "height": 250
      },
      "headline": {
        "asset_type": "text",
        "content": "Spring Sale - 30% Off"
      },
      "clickthrough_url": {
        "asset_type": "url",
        "url": "https://mybrand.com/spring"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

### Example 3: Transformation with Specific Instructions

Adapt a creative for mobile with specific design changes:

```json theme={null}
{
  "message": "Make this mobile-friendly: increase text size, simplify the layout, and make the CTA button more prominent",
  "creative_manifest": {
    "format_id": {
      "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org",
      "id": "display_300x600"
    },
    "assets": {
      "background_image": {
        "asset_type": "image",
        "url": "https://cdn.mybrand.com/bg.jpg",
        "width": 300,
        "height": 600
      },
      "headline": {
        "asset_type": "text",
        "content": "Discover Our New Collection"
      },
      "body_text": {
        "asset_type": "text",
        "content": "Shop the latest styles with free shipping on orders over $50"
      },
      "cta_text": {
        "asset_type": "text",
        "content": "Shop Now"
      }
    }
  },
  "target_format_id": {
    "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org",
    "id": "display_mobile_320x50"
  }
}
```

**Response**:

```json theme={null}
{
  "creative_manifest": {
    "format_id": {
      "agent_url": "https://creative.adcontextprotocol.org",
      "id": "display_mobile_320x50"
    },
    "assets": {
      "banner_image": {
        "asset_type": "image",
        "url": "https://cdn.creative-agent.com/mobile/banner_mobile_123.png",
        "width": 320,
        "height": 50
      },
      "headline": {
        "asset_type": "text",
        "content": "New Collection - Shop Now"
      },
      "clickthrough_url": {
        "asset_type": "url",
        "url": "https://mybrand.com/new"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

## Key Concepts

### Transformation Model

`build_creative` follows a **manifest-in, manifest-out** model:

* Input: Creative manifest (can be minimal or complete, includes required assets)
* Process: Transform/generate based on `message` and manifest assets
* Output: Target creative manifest ready for preview or sync

### Pure Generation vs Transformation

* **Pure Generation**: Provide minimal `creative_manifest` with just the format\_id and required input assets (like `promoted_offerings` for generative formats). The creative agent generates output assets from scratch using `message` as guidance.
* **Transformation**: Provide complete `creative_manifest` with all existing assets. The creative agent adapts existing assets to the target format, optionally following guidance in `message`.

### Integration with Other Tasks

1. **build\_creative** → Generates manifest
2. **preview\_creative** → Renders the manifest (see [preview\_creative](/dist/docs/2.5.3/creative/task-reference/preview_creative))
3. **sync\_creatives** → Traffics the finalized manifest

This separation allows you to:

* Build once, preview multiple times with different contexts
* Iterate on build without re-syncing
* Preview before committing to traffic