• NEW RUN
  • RETRY
  • STOP
  • HUMAN

How to trigger and control builds with your AI

Connect Buildkite to your AI client once. From then on, you can manage pipeline executions through simple chat commands.

Ask AI about this page

Short answer

How can I trigger and control builds with my AI?

You can tell your AI to start new builds, retry failed ones, or cancel running executions in Buildkite. This gives you direct control over your pipelines without switching tabs. You'll see the specific actions your AI can take below.

Build outcomes

What your commands achieve

Every request you send results in a specific action within your Buildkite pipelines.

NEW RUN

Start a build

The AI triggers a new execution in your pipeline. You get a fresh build started immediately based on your instructions.

RETRY

Restart a build

The AI kicks off a new attempt for a specific execution. This is how you handle transient failures or flaky tests.

STOP

Cancel a build

The AI terminates a running execution. Use this to kill stuck processes or stop builds that are no longer needed.

HUMAN

Manual decisions

You decide which builds need to be stopped or restarted. The AI only acts when you give it a direct command.

The workflow

What your AI does when <the thing arrives>.

Your agent translates your natural language into specific Buildkite operations.

  1. Launch builds

    When you ask to start a process, the AI identifies the right pipeline to trigger a new execution.

    create_build

  2. Recover from failure

    If a run fails, the AI can trigger a fresh attempt for that specific build.

    rebuild

  3. Terminate runs

    The AI can stop an active execution if you tell it to cancel the current build.

    cancel_build

  4. Execute commands

    The AI uses the provided tools to carry out your requests in Buildkite.

    create_buildrebuildcancel_build

Try it

Copy these to start.

Use these prompts to interact with your Buildkite pipelines.

Starting points

Replace the pipeline names and build IDs with your actual Buildkite data.

Buildkite Connector

You're all set. Choose your MCP client and follow the setup instructions.

Connector linkhttps://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_iJnzptPh1up5uFxxYPxktlrRgHppLRL6cNlatVoW/mcp

Claude Desktop

Follow the steps below to connect in seconds.

  1. 1In Claude Desktop, open Settings → Connectors.
  2. 2Click “Add custom connector” and paste the connector link above as the remote MCP server URL.
  3. 3Click Add and start a new chat — Buildkite capabilities are ready to use.
Configuration · claude_desktop_config.jsonCopy
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "buildkite-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_iJnzptPh1up5uFxxYPxktlrRgHppLRL6cNlatVoW/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Copy into chat04

  • Create a new build for the production pipeline.

  • Rebuild the last failed execution in the web-app repo.

  • Cancel the build with ID 98765.

  • Start a new build for the api-service pipeline on the main branch.

  • Claude
  • ChatGPT
  • Cursor
  • VS Code
  • Windsurf
  • Claude Code
  • JetBrains
  • Cline

Start here

Connect Buildkite once, then ask.

Link your account once and your credentials stay encrypted. You can then manage your builds from any MCP-compatible client.

Connect Buildkite to your AI

FAQ

How this task behaves

  • 01

    Can my AI delete my entire pipeline?

    No. The AI can only create, rebuild, or cancel specific build executions.

  • 02

    Can the AI automatically restart failed builds?

    No. The AI only restarts a build when you explicitly command it to do so.

  • 03

    Can I use the AI to change pipeline settings?

    No. The tools are limited to managing build executions, not modifying pipeline configurations.

  • 04

    Does the AI need my Buildkite login?

    No. You connect via Vinkius, which keeps your credentials secure and encrypted.

  • 05

    Can the AI see my build logs?

    No. The current tools only allow for creating, rebuilding, and canceling builds.

  • More questions about Buildkite? The Connector page answers them. See everything the Buildkite Connector can do

Connect Buildkite to Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT & more