> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://integrations.impact.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://integrations.impact.com/ai-solutions/mcp-skills/mcp-skills-faq.md).
# MCP Skills FAQ
Skills are reusable workflows you install in your AI client so it knows how to use [mcp.impact.com](https://mcp.impact.com/) tools for common partnership jobs. This FAQ covers the basics.
What is a skill?
A skill is a reusable instruction set that tells an AI assistant (like Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Cursor, and other compatible clients) how to handle a specific task. It encodes best practices, preferred formats, and workflows so the AI produces consistent, high-quality output, without you having to re-explain the context every time.
You can use skills to do things like analyze partner performance, create a weekly performance digest, draft partner communications, and more. impact.com publishes first-party skills for use with the impact.com MCP server; install them in your client, connect MCP, and run the job.
What is the difference between a skill and an MCP server?
Skills and MCP servers serve different purposes, but they are most powerful when used together.
* Skills teach your AI assistant how to work, encoding best practices, preferred formats, and workflow logic so the AI approaches tasks the way a partnerships professional would.
* MCP servers connect your AI assistant to external tools, services, and live data sources so it can act on real information rather than working in the abstract.
Think of it this way: a skill is the expertise, and an MCP server is the data. A partner performance scorecard skill tells the AI how to structure a ranked partner review; [mcp.impact.com](https://mcp.impact.com/) gives it the live clicks, actions, and revenue for your account to populate it. Used together, you get an AI assistant that knows both what to do and has the real-time context to do it well.
Do I need MCP connected to use a skill?
For impact.com skills that pull live account data, yes. The skill tells your AI how to run the workflow; [mcp.impact.com](https://mcp.impact.com/) supplies the tools and data. Without MCP connected, the assistant can still read the skill instructions, but it cannot securely access your impact.com account.
Enable MCP for your account and connect your client using the [MCP Quick Start](/ai-solutions/mcp-quick-start.md), then run the skill in a chat where that connection is active.
How does impact.com handle data privacy and security for MCP and Skills?
MCP and Skills only exchange data you're already authorized to see, using the same OAuth 2.1-based access controls as the rest of your account. Skills contain no impact.com data of their own, they're instructions, and only run against your account once you explicitly connect and consent via MCP.
For the technical detail on how access is scoped and secured, see [Security & Authentication](/ai-solutions/mcp-quick-start.md#security-and-authentication) in the MCP Quick Start. For our broader AI governance commitments, see the [Trust Center](https://trust.impact.com/).
Which AI clients support impact.com skills?
Skills are installed in your AI client; impact.com MCP provides the live tools. Today, impact.com documents MCP setup for Claude (Desktop and Claude Code), Cursor, and VS Code. See:
* [MCP for Claude Desktop & Claude Code](/ai-solutions/mcp-quick-start/mcp-for-claude-desktop-and-claude-code.md)
* [MCP for Cursor](/ai-solutions/mcp-quick-start/mcp-for-cursor.md)
* [MCP for VS Code](/ai-solutions/mcp-quick-start/mcp-for-vs-code.md)
How you install a skill depends on the client. Use *Install an MCP Skill* for Claude, Cursor, and VS Code. Each skill page still provides the downloadable skill package and a sample prompt. Other MCP-compatible clients may work for MCP tools, but skill install steps may differ and are not all documented yet.
Why isn't the skill using my impact.com data?
Check these common causes:
1. MCP is not connected in the current chat or client. Reconnect using the [MCP Quick Start](/ai-solutions/mcp-quick-start.md).
2. MCP access is disabled for the impact.com account. An admin must enable it (see Enable or Disable MCP access).
3. Wrong account: you might be connected to a different impact.com account than the one with the data you expect (see Switch Between Accounts in the MCP Beta).
4. Wrong account type for the skill: a brand skill will not behave correctly on a partner session, and vice versa. Use a skill that matches your account type (see below).
5. Missing inputs: many skills need a date range, program name, or similar information before they can call tools. Answer those prompts, then retry.
If tools still fail after those checks, contact impact.com support.
Does a skill work for both brand and partner accounts?
Not always. Many skills are written for a specific account type because brand and partner accounts see different tools and data models.
* Check the skill page for its audience or account type, for example, brand vs. partner.
* Use a brand skill only when your MCP session is a brand (advertiser) account.
* Use a partner skill only when your MCP session is a partner (publisher) account.
If you use the wrong type, the skill may ask you to stop, call tools that are not available, or return empty results. Pick the skill that matches the account you connected.
How do I use a skill in my AI?
Skills live in your AI client. The impact.com MCP server supplies live account data. Use them together:
1. Enable and connect MCP for your impact.com account in a supported client (see the [MCP Quick Start](/ai-solutions/mcp-quick-start.md)).
2. Open the skill you want from the *Skills* section on integrations.impact.com (or the library skill page).
3. Download the skill package by copying its code block.
4. Install it in Claude, Cursor, or VS Code using Install an MCP Skill.
5. Run the skill in a chat where MCP is connected. Use the sample prompt on the skill page, for example, "Run the weekly performance digest for last week" or "Run the partner performance scorecard for last month".
If the skill asks for inputs like dates, program name, and so on, answer those prompts so it can call the right MCP tools. The AI should use live tool results, not invent metrics.
Can I edit a skill to suit my needs?
Yes. Once a skill is installed in your AI client, you can edit the skill package to match how your team works — for example, change the default date range, add a preferred output format, or ask for extra sections in the deliverable.
Keep these guardrails in mind:
* Leave MCP tool names as published unless you know a different supported tool is available for your account (see MCP Tools).
* Do not instruct the AI to invent metrics or skip live tool calls — skills should still use [mcp.impact.com](https://mcp.impact.com/) for account data.
* Edits apply to your copy of the skill in your client. They do not change the published skill on integrations.impact.com for other users.
If a published skill is updated by impact.com, re-copy it into your client if you want those upstream changes — your local edits are not overwritten automatically.
Can I share a skill with my team at work?
Yes. Skills are files, or pasted instructions, in your AI client, so you can share them the same way you share other internal enablement material.
Common approaches:
* Point teammates at the published skill on integrations.impact.com so everyone installs the same first-party package.
* Share your edited skill package, for example, via your wiki, shared drive, or repo, if your team uses a customized version.
* In Cursor or similar tools, keep the skill in a shared project repository so anyone who clones the project gets the same skill.
Each person still needs:
1. MCP access enabled on the impact.com account they use.
2. Their AI client connected to [mcp.impact.com](https://mcp.impact.com/) (see the [MCP Quick Start](/ai-solutions/mcp-quick-start.md)).
3. The skill installed in their client (or available via the shared project).
Sharing a skill does not grant impact.com access by itself. Teammates only see data their own account and permissions allow.
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