Decode a specific video ad URL into its full structural formula — beat-by-beat breakdown, hook classification, behavioral psychology stack, creative format, runtime performance signals (active days on Meta Ad Library when available), and per-cut visual data. Takes one video URL plus an optional i...
Risk signalsAccepts URL/endpoint input (url)
Part of the Heista server.
Free to start. No card required.
AI agents call decode_ad to retrieve information from Heista without modifying any data. This is common in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows where the agent needs context before taking action. Because read operations don't change state, they are generally safe to allow without restrictions -- but you may still want rate limits to control API costs.
Even though decode_ad only reads data, uncontrolled read access can leak sensitive information or rack up API costs. An agent caught in a retry loop could make thousands of calls per minute. A rate limit gives you a safety net without blocking legitimate use.
Read-only tools are safe to allow by default. No rate limit needed unless you want to control costs.
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"decode_ad": {}
}
}See the full Heista policy for all 69 tools.
These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access decode_ad gives an agent. Each links to the full case and the policy that stops it:
Other read tools across the catalogue. The same approach applies to each: allow, with a rate cap to control cost.
Decode a specific video ad URL into its full structural formula — beat-by-beat breakdown, hook classification, behavioral psychology stack, creative format, runtime performance signals (active days on Meta Ad Library when available), and per-cut visual data. Takes one video URL plus an optional idempotency_key. Returns a job_id immediately; poll with get_decode every 15s until status is "completed" (typically 45-60s end-to-end). Use this when the user pastes an ad URL, names a specific competitor ad, asks "decode this" or "break down this ad" or "what makes this ad work", or wants sentence-level fidelity to one specific winner before writing a script with generate_adscript. Supports Facebook Ad Library, TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and direct .mp4 URLs. Costs 15 credits for videos ≤60s, 20 credits for 61-120s. Do NOT use to browse the corpus or find ads by category — use decoder_intelligence or adformula_intelligence (both free) for discovery. Do NOT use for image ads or static creative.. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Heista MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Heista MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for decode_ad: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Heista. Nothing to install.
decode_ad is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the decode_ad rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for decode_ad. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.
decode_ad is provided by the Heista MCP server (https://www.heista.co/api/mcp/mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic rules across all 69 Heista tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.
Free to start. No card required.
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