agentation — Claude Code skill: visual feedback toolbar for Next.js
Adds a visual feedback toolbar to a Next.js project and, on request, wires it to your coding agent over MCP.
npx skills add benjitaylor/agentation --skill agentation -a claude-codeWhat agentation does
The skill walks the agent through setup. First it reads the project's instructions, detects the package manager, and checks for agentation and an existing <Agentation> mount. If the component is already there, the agent inspects its endpoint and current MCP setup instead of adding a second mount. The package goes in with whichever manager owns the lockfile.
Then comes the connection mode. Live agent feedback needs the same HTTP URL the agent uses; the default local server is http://localhost:4747, and a custom port or proxy URL is kept as is. On a remote project you cannot assume the browser and the agent share a machine. Manual copy/paste mode omits endpoint, and feedback stays in that browser.
In App Router the component renders in the root layout's body after children; in Pages Router, after Component in pages/_app. The package ships its own client boundary, so the root layout stays server-rendered. For MCP the launch command carries the server subcommand: npx -y agentation-mcp server. React 18 or newer is required, and installing the toolbar neither installs nor connects an MCP server. A healthy doctor run is not proof of sync: npx agentation-mcp doctor reports service state, while only a test annotation read back through agentation_get_all_pending confirms the live path.
What it helps with
- mount a visual feedback toolbar in a Next.js app
- connect browser annotations to a coding agent over MCP
- avoid starting a second HTTP server on a busy port
- tell real sync apart from a merely healthy server
- keep the toolbar out of production builds
Example prompts for the agent
- Add the Agentation toolbar to our Next.js project and connect it to the agent over MCP.
- Verify that browser annotations reach the agent and tell me which part is still unverified.
- Set up Agentation in manual copy mode, without a server.
How to install agentation
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add benjitaylor/agentation --skill agentation -a claude-code2Manually: put the files in place
~/.claude/skills/agentation/SKILL.mdCopy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/agentation/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add benjitaylor/agentation --skill agentation -a codex2Manually: put the files in place
.agents/skills/agentation/SKILL.mdFor all projects use ~/.agents/skills/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add benjitaylor/agentation --skill agentation -a cursor2Manually: put the files in place
.cursor/skills/agentation/SKILL.mdCursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/
1GitHub CLI
gh skill install benjitaylor/agentation agentation2Manually: put the files in place
.github/skills/agentation/SKILL.md1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add benjitaylor/agentation --skill agentation -a gemini-cli2Platform CLI
gemini skills install https://github.com/benjitaylor/agentation --path skills/agentationManually: put the files in place
.devin/skills/agentation/SKILL.mdThe legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works
Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add benjitaylor/agentation --skill agentation -a opencodeClaude.ai
Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills
Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to install skills in Claude Code: five ways
Questions about agentation
How do I install agentation in Claude Code?
Run npx skills add benjitaylor/agentation --skill agentation -a claude-code. The skill lands in ~/.claude/skills/agentation/SKILL.md.
What does agentation do?
It adds a visual feedback toolbar to a Next.js project and, when asked, connects it to your coding agent through an MCP server.
Do I need the MCP server for the toolbar to work?
No. Manual copy mode runs without a server, but then feedback stays in the browser and never reaches the agent.
Source text
SKILL.md · MIT
---
name: agentation
description: Add Agentation visual feedback toolbar to a Next.js project
---
# Agentation Setup
Set up the toolbar and, when requested, connect it to the user's coding agent.
A visible toolbar and a healthy MCP server do not prove that browser feedback
reaches the agent. Verify that final step before calling setup complete.
## Steps
1. **Inspect the project**
- Read the project's instructions and detect its package manager.
- Look for `agentation` and an existing `<Agentation>` mount before installing.
- If already mounted, inspect its `endpoint` and current MCP setup. Do not
exit just because the component exists, and do not add a duplicate mount.
- Install `agentation` if missing, using the existing lockfile's package manager.
2. **Choose the connection mode from the request**
- For MCP or live agent feedback, use the same HTTP server URL as the agent.
The default local server is `http://localhost:4747`; preserve an existing
custom port or proxy URL. Never assume the browser and agent use the same
machine when the project is remote.
- For manual copy/paste only, omit `endpoint` and explain that feedback remains
in this browser. Do not silently enable a server connection.
- If the intended mode is unclear, ask one brief question while inspecting
the existing project. Keep working on independent setup checks.
3. **Add or update the component**
For a Next.js App Router project, render in the root layout's body after
children. For Pages Router, render after `Component` in `pages/_app`.
Preserve any existing callbacks and options.
```tsx
import { Agentation } from "agentation";
// Use the actual server URL selected above for MCP sync:
{process.env.NODE_ENV === "development" && (
<Agentation endpoint="http://localhost:4747" />
)}
```
The package provides its own client boundary. Keep the application's root
layout server-rendered unless the project has another reason to change it.
4. **Configure the agent when MCP was requested**
- Use the project's existing MCP client and configuration conventions.
- The launch command must include the `server` subcommand:
`npx -y agentation-mcp server`.
- For supported agents, `npx add-mcp "npx -y agentation-mcp server"` is one
setup option. For Claude Code, use
`claude mcp add agentation -- npx -y agentation-mcp server` or the init wizard.
- Apply the same custom port to the server command and component endpoint.
- Restart or reconnect the agent when its configuration requires it. Do not
create a second HTTP server on a port already owned by the working server.
5. **Verify the complete connection**
- Run `npx agentation-mcp doctor` for service diagnostics. For a custom URL,
use `doctor --http-url <url>` when supported by the installed version.
- Open the app and create one clearly identified test annotation through the
toolbar. Read it with `agentation_get_all_pending` or session-scoped tools.
- Check the exact test comment and page, not just a nonzero count or health
response. Leave unrelated annotations alone.
- If annotations are empty, check the component endpoint, browser network
failures/CORS, and whether the agent and browser point to the same server.
- If browser or MCP tools are unavailable, say exactly which part remains
unverified and give the user this final check. Do not claim live sync works.
## Notes
- The development guard prevents the toolbar from appearing in production.
- Agentation requires React 18 or newer.
- Installing the toolbar does not install, configure or connect an MCP server.
- Manual copy mode is supported and does not need a running server.
© benjitaylor · MIT · benjitaylor/agentation