# Agency Mode Setup (/docs/paid-media/agency-setup)



Agency mode is the path of least resistance for getting Layers running.
Layers operates a Business Manager / Business Center; you grant it
partnership access to your assets.

The high-level flow is the same on every platform; the buttons differ.

## Step 1: Create your assets in YOUR Business Manager [#step-1-create-your-assets-in-your-business-manager]

You should always own your assets. Create or migrate:

* Your ad account.
* Your Page (Meta) / Creator (TikTok) account.
* Your Pixel / Events Set.

These should be in your Business Manager / Business Center, not Layers'.

## Step 2: Add Layers as a Business Partner [#step-2-add-layers-as-a-business-partner]

In your Business Manager / Business Center:

1. Settings → **Partners** → **Add partner**.
2. Enter Layers' Business ID (shown on the Meta Ads / TikTok Ads layer
   setup page).
3. Pick the assets to share: ad account, Page, Pixel, etc.
4. Pick the access level — **Full access** for ads, **Read** for the
   Page, **Manage** for the Pixel.
5. Send the partnership request.

## Step 3: Layers accepts and bind to the project [#step-3-layers-accepts-and-bind-to-the-project]

Back in Layers:

1. Open the ad layer's setup wizard.
2. Click **Accept partnership**.
3. Bind each asset to this project's layer config.
4. Save.

## Step 4: Fund the wallet [#step-4-fund-the-wallet]

[Top up the Org wallet](/docs/organizations/wallet) so Layers can fund
spend. Set up [auto-top-up](/docs/organizations/wallet#auto-top-up) so
ads don't pause overnight.

## Step 5: Verify [#step-5-verify]

The setup wizard runs a verification:

* API access works.
* Pixel events fire end-to-end.
* CAPI / Events API token decrypts and posts a test event.

Failures show actionable messages.

## Per-platform specifics [#per-platform-specifics]

* [Meta agency setup](/docs/paid-media/meta-setup#agency)
* [TikTok agency setup](/docs/paid-media/tiktok-setup#agency)
* [Apple Search Ads](/docs/paid-media/apple-setup) — ASA uses Apple's
  OAuth flow (not agency/BC delegation). Listed here because many Layers
  customers run ASA alongside Meta/TikTok in agency mode.

## What ownership looks like [#what-ownership-looks-like]

Even after partnership:

* Your ad account is **yours**. Spend history is yours. Audiences are yours.
* Layers can manage; Layers cannot delete or transfer ownership.
* Removing the partnership immediately revokes Layers' access — your
  ads keep running, just without Layers' management.

## When to switch off agency mode [#when-to-switch-off-agency-mode]

If you outgrow the wallet model — typically at $100K+/mo per platform —
[switch to BYO](/docs/paid-media/byo-setup) for cleaner billing and to
avoid the platform fee.