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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
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.
-
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.
-
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.