How do I install the Create Custom Event Automation skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add urbanairship/create-custom-event-automation in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

What does the Create Custom Event Automation skill do?

Create an automation (pipeline) triggered by Custom Events that sends personalized push notifications and Message Center messages. The messages use handlebars templating to access Custom Event properties, value, and name for personalization. Use when setting up event-triggered messaging, creating personalized automation sequences, or building Custom Event-driven workflows. It is listed under DevOps & Infra on SkillMD.

Is Create Custom Event Automation safe to use?

This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.

Which AI agents work with Create Custom Event Automation?

This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Create Custom Event Automation free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.

Who published Create Custom Event Automation?

urbanairship (@urbanairship) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Create Custom Event Automation by urbanairship

Name: Create Custom Event Automation
Author: urbanairship

Create Custom Event Automation Workflow

This workflow demonstrates creating a pipeline (automation) that triggers when a Custom Event occurs, sending personalized push notifications and Message Center messages using data from the triggering Custom Event.

Prerequisites

Airship account with API access
OAuth token with pln scope (for pipelines API)
Custom Event name and structure defined
Understanding of which Custom Event properties will be available for personalization

Skills Required

Create Pipeline

Step 1: Define Custom Event Trigger Criteria

Identify the Custom Event that should trigger the automation. Determine the event name and any conditions (e.g., event value thresholds, property values).

Example: Trigger on purchased events where the value is greater than $50:

{
  "immediate_trigger": {
    "custom_event": {
      "and": [
        {
          "key": "name",
          "value": {
            "equals": "purchased"
          }
        },
        {
          "key": "value",
          "value": {
            "greater_than": 50
          }
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

Simple trigger (event name only):

{
  "immediate_trigger": {
    "custom_event": {
      "key": "name",
      "value": {
        "equals": "purchased"
      }
    }
  }
}

Step 2: Identify Custom Event Properties for Personalization

Review your Custom Event structure to identify which properties will be available for personalization. Common properties might include:

product_name - Product purchased
order_id - Order identifier
category - Product category
delivery_date - Estimated delivery date
customer_name - Customer name
Any other custom properties in your event

Example Custom Event structure:

{
  "body": {
    "name": "purchased",
    "value": 99.99,
    "properties": {
      "product_name": "Wireless Headphones",
      "order_id": "ORD-12345",
      "category": "electronics",
      "delivery_date": "2024-01-20"
    }
  }
}

Step 3: Create Personalized Push Notification Content

Design the push notification alert using handlebars templating to access Custom Event data.

Handlebars syntax:

{{custom_event.name}} - Event name
{{custom_event.value}} - Event numeric value
{{custom_event.properties.field_name}} - Property value
{{custom_event.properties.nested.field}} - Nested property

Example personalized notification:

{
  "notification": {
    "alert": "Thank you for purchasing {{custom_event.properties.product_name}}! Your order total was ${{custom_event.value}}."
  }
}

Multi-platform personalized notification:

{
  "notification": {
    "alert": "Thank you for your purchase!",
    "ios": {
      "alert": "Thank you for purchasing {{custom_event.properties.product_name}}!"
    },
    "android": {
      "alert": "Order confirmed: {{custom_event.properties.product_name}} - ${{custom_event.value}}",
      "title": "Purchase Confirmation"
    },
    "email": {
      "subject": "Thank you for your ${{custom_event.value}} purchase!",
      "html_body": "<h1>Thank you!</h1><p>Your {{custom_event.properties.product_name}} order is confirmed.</p>",
      "plaintext_body": "Thank you! Your {{custom_event.properties.product_name}} order is confirmed.",
      "message_type": "transactional"
    }
  }
}

Step 4: Create Personalized Message Center Content

Design the Message Center message with rich HTML content using handlebars templating.

Example personalized Message Center:

{
  "message": {
    "title": "Order Confirmation - {{custom_event.properties.product_name}}",
    "body": "<html><body><h1>Thank you for your purchase!</h1><p><strong>Product:</strong> {{custom_event.properties.product_name}}</p><p><strong>Total:</strong> ${{custom_event.value}}</p><p><strong>Order ID:</strong> {{custom_event.properties.order_id}}</p><p><strong>Estimated Delivery:</strong> {{custom_event.properties.delivery_date}}</p><p>We'll send you tracking information once your order ships.</p></body></html>",
    "content_type": "text/html"
  }
}

Rich Message Center with styling:

{
  "message": {
    "title": "Order #{{custom_event.properties.order_id}} Confirmed",
    "body": "<html><head><style>body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; } .header { background-color: #4CAF50; color: white; padding: 20px; } .content { padding: 20px; } .detail { margin: 10px 0; }</style></head><body><div class=\"header\"><h1>Thank you for your purchase!</h1></div><div class=\"content\"><div class=\"detail\"><strong>Product:</strong> {{custom_event.properties.product_name}}</div><div class=\"detail\"><strong>Category:</strong> {{custom_event.properties.category}}</div><div class=\"detail\"><strong>Total:</strong> ${{custom_event.value}}</div><div class=\"detail\"><strong>Order ID:</strong> {{custom_event.properties.order_id}}</div><div class=\"detail\"><strong>Delivery Date:</strong> {{custom_event.properties.delivery_date}}</div></div></body></html>",
    "content_type": "text/html"
  }
}

Step 5: Combine into Pipeline Outcome

Combine the notification and message into the pipeline outcome structure. The audience must be set to "triggered".

Complete outcome example:

{
  "outcome": {
    "push": {
      "audience": "triggered",
      "device_types": ["ios", "android"],
      "notification": {
        "alert": "Thank you for purchasing {{custom_event.properties.product_name}}! Your order total was ${{custom_event.value}}."
      },
      "message": {
        "title": "Order Confirmation - {{custom_event.properties.product_name}}",
        "body": "<html><body><h1>Thank you for your purchase!</h1><p><strong>Product:</strong> {{custom_event.properties.product_name}}</p><p><strong>Total:</strong> ${{custom_event.value}}</p><p><strong>Order ID:</strong> {{custom_event.properties.order_id}}</p><p><strong>Estimated Delivery:</strong> {{custom_event.properties.delivery_date}}</p></body></html>",
        "content_type": "text/html"
      }
    }
  }
}

Step 6: Create Pipeline via POST /api/pipelines

Combine all components into a complete pipeline object and create it:

POST /api/pipelines
Authorization: Bearer <token>
Accept: application/vnd.urbanairship+json; version=3
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "name": "Purchase Confirmation Automation",
  "enabled": true,
  "immediate_trigger": {
    "custom_event": {
      "key": "name",
      "value": {
        "equals": "purchased"
      }
    }
  },
  "outcome": {
    "push": {
      "audience": "triggered",
      "device_types": ["ios", "android"],
      "notification": {
        "alert": "Thank you for purchasing {{custom_event.properties.product_name}}! Your order total was ${{custom_event.value}}."
      },
      "message": {
        "title": "Order Confirmation - {{custom_event.properties.product_name}}",
        "body": "<html><body><h1>Thank you for your purchase!</h1><p><strong>Product:</strong> {{custom_event.properties.product_name}}</p><p><strong>Total:</strong> ${{custom_event.value}}</p><p><strong>Order ID:</strong> {{custom_event.properties.order_id}}</p><p><strong>Estimated Delivery:</strong> {{custom_event.properties.delivery_date}}</p></body></html>",
        "content_type": "text/html"
      }
    }
  }
}

Response:

{
  "ok": true,
  "operation_id": "ef625038-70a3-41f1-826f-57bc11dd625a",
  "pipeline_urls": [
    "https://go.urbanairship.com/api/pipelines/4d3ff1fd-9ce6-5ea4-5dc9-5ccbd38597f4"
  ]
}

Step 7: (Optional) Validate Pipeline Before Creation

Before creating the pipeline, you can validate the payload to catch errors early:

POST /api/pipelines/validate
Authorization: Bearer <token>
Accept: application/vnd.urbanairship+json; version=3
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "name": "Purchase Confirmation Automation",
  "enabled": true,
  "immediate_trigger": {
    "custom_event": {
      "key": "name",
      "value": {
        "equals": "purchased"
      }
    }
  },
  "outcome": {
    "push": {
      "audience": "triggered",
      "device_types": ["ios", "android"],
      "notification": {
        "alert": "Thank you for purchasing {{custom_event.properties.product_name}}! Your order total was ${{custom_event.value}}."
      },
      "message": {
        "title": "Order Confirmation - {{custom_event.properties.product_name}}",
        "body": "<html><body><h1>Thank you for your purchase!</h1><p><strong>Product:</strong> {{custom_event.properties.product_name}}</p><p><strong>Total:</strong> ${{custom_event.value}}</p></body></html>",
        "content_type": "text/html"
      }
    }
  }
}

Response (if valid):

{
  "ok": true
}

Outcomes

Pipeline created and enabled
Automation will trigger when matching Custom Events occur
Personalized push notifications sent to users
Personalized Message Center messages delivered
Messages use Custom Event data for personalization via handlebars templating

Use Cases

Purchase confirmation automations
Event-triggered personalized notifications
Order status updates
Personalized welcome messages based on user actions
Custom Event-driven marketing campaigns
Transactional messaging with rich content

Related Workflows

Custom Event Automation Discovery - Discover existing automations and their requirements

Best Practices

Identify required properties: Document which Custom Event properties are needed for personalization
Test handlebars syntax: Ensure handlebars references match your Custom Event structure
Handle missing properties: Consider what happens if a property is missing (handlebars renders empty string)
Validate before creating: Use /api/pipelines/validate to catch errors early
Use descriptive names: Provide clear pipeline names for easier management
Personalize consistently: Use the same property references in both notification and Message Center
Test with sample events: Submit test Custom Events to verify handlebars resolve correctly
Consider timing: Add delays if needed to improve user experience
Set constraints: Use rate limiting to avoid overwhelming users
Monitor pipeline status: Check pipeline status and limits regularly

Example: Complete Pipeline with All Features

{
  "name": "High-Value Purchase Automation",
  "enabled": true,
  "immediate_trigger": {
    "custom_event": {
      "and": [
        {
          "key": "name",
          "value": {
            "equals": "purchased"
          }
        },
        {
          "key": "value",
          "value": {
            "greater_than": 100
          }
        }
      ]
    }
  },
  "timing": {
    "delay": {
      "seconds": 30
    }
  },
  "constraint": [
    {
      "rate": {
        "pushes": 1,
        "days": 1
      }
    }
  ],
  "outcome": {
    "push": {
      "audience": "triggered",
      "device_types": ["ios", "android", "email"],
      "notification": {
        "alert": "Thank you for your premium purchase!",
        "ios": {
          "alert": "Thank you for purchasing {{custom_event.properties.product_name}}!"
        },
        "android": {
          "alert": "Order confirmed: {{custom_event.properties.product_name}}",
          "title": "Premium Purchase"
        },
        "email": {
          "subject": "Thank you for your ${{custom_event.value}} purchase!",
          "html_body": "<html><body><h1>Thank you!</h1><p>Your {{custom_event.properties.product_name}} order is being processed.</p></body></html>",
          "plaintext_body": "Thank you! Your {{custom_event.properties.product_name}} order is being processed.",
          "message_type": "transactional"
        }
      },
      "message": {
        "title": "Premium Purchase Confirmation - {{custom_event.properties.product_name}}",
        "body": "<html><body><h1>Thank you for your premium purchase!</h1><p><strong>Product:</strong> {{custom_event.properties.product_name}}</p><p><strong>Category:</strong> {{custom_event.properties.category}}</p><p><strong>Total:</strong> ${{custom_event.value}}</p><p><strong>Order ID:</strong> {{custom_event.properties.order_id}}</p><p>As a valued customer, you'll receive priority support for this order.</p></body></html>",
        "content_type": "text/html"
      }
    }
  }
}

Create Custom Event Automation

File contents

Create Custom Event Automation Workflow

Prerequisites

Skills Required

Step 1: Define Custom Event Trigger Criteria

Step 2: Identify Custom Event Properties for Personalization

Step 3: Create Personalized Push Notification Content

Step 4: Create Personalized Message Center Content

Step 5: Combine into Pipeline Outcome

Step 6: Create Pipeline via POST /api/pipelines

Step 7: (Optional) Validate Pipeline Before Creation

Outcomes

Use Cases

Related Workflows

Best Practices

Example: Complete Pipeline with All Features

Frequently asked questions

Create Custom Event Automation

File contents

Create Custom Event Automation Workflow

Prerequisites

Skills Required

Step 1: Define Custom Event Trigger Criteria

Step 2: Identify Custom Event Properties for Personalization

Step 3: Create Personalized Push Notification Content

Step 4: Create Personalized Message Center Content

Step 5: Combine into Pipeline Outcome

Step 6: Create Pipeline via POST /api/pipelines

Step 7: (Optional) Validate Pipeline Before Creation

Outcomes

Use Cases

Related Workflows

Best Practices

Example: Complete Pipeline with All Features

Related skills

Frequently asked questions

How do I install the Create Custom Event Automation skill?

What does the Create Custom Event Automation skill do?

Is Create Custom Event Automation safe to use?

Which AI agents work with Create Custom Event Automation?

Is Create Custom Event Automation free to use?

Who published Create Custom Event Automation?