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sidebar_position: 2
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# Getting Started
This guide will help you install, configure, and start using agnt with your AI coding assistant.
## Prerequisites
- **Go 1.24.2** or later (for building from source)
- An MCP-compatible AI assistant (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.)
## Installation
### Claude Code Marketplace (Recommended)
The easiest way to install agnt is through the Claude Code marketplace:
```bash
# Install from marketplace (automatically configures MCP)
claude mcp add agnt --plugin agnt@agnt-marketplace
```
This single command downloads the latest agnt binary and registers it as an MCP server.
### From Go
```bash
go install github.com/standardbeagle/agnt/cmd/agnt@latest
```
### From Source
```bash
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/standardbeagle/agnt.git
cd agnt
# Build the binary
make build
# Or install to $GOPATH/bin
make install
```
### Verify Installation
```bash
agnt --version
# agnt version 0.7.10
```
## Configuration
### Claude Code CLI
```bash
# Register as MCP server
claude mcp add agnt -s user -- agnt mcp
```
### Manual Configuration
Add agnt to your Claude Code configuration (`claude_desktop_config.json`):
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"agnt": {
"command": "agnt",
"args": ["mcp"]
}
}
}
```
### Other MCP Clients
agnt communicates over stdio. Configure your MCP client to spawn `agnt mcp` and communicate over stdin/stdout.
### Project Configuration (.agnt.kdl)
Create a `.agnt.kdl` file in your project root to auto-start scripts and proxies:
```kdl
// Scripts to run automatically
scripts {
dev {
run "npm run dev"
autostart true
}
}
// Reverse proxies for browser debugging
proxies {
frontend {
target "http://localhost:3000"
autostart true
}
}
// Browser notifications when AI responds
hooks {
on-response {
toast true
indicator true
}
}
// Toast notification settings
toast {
duration 4000
position "bottom-right"
max-visible 3
}
```
Run `/setup-project` in Claude Code to interactively generate this configuration.
**Script Options:**
- `run` - Shell command (e.g., `"npm run dev"`)
- `command` / `args` - Command with arguments
- `autostart` - Start automatically (`true`/`false`)
- `env` - Environment variables block
- `cwd` - Working directory
- `url-matchers` - Patterns for URL auto-detection
**Proxy Options:**
- `target` - Full target URL
- `port` / `host` - Shorthand for localhost proxies
- `script` - Link to a script for URL auto-detection
- `autostart` - Start automatically
- `max-log-size` - Max log entries (default: 1000)
**Common Framework URL Matchers:**
| Framework | url-matchers Pattern |
|-----------|---------------------|
| Next.js / Vite | `"(Local\|Network):\\s*{url}"` |
| Wails | `"DevServer URL:\\s*{url}"` |
| Astro | `"Local\\s+{url}"` |
| Jekyll | `"Server address:\\s*{url}"` |
| Hugo | `"Web Server.*available at {url}"` |
## Quick Start
Once configured, your AI assistant has access to all agnt tools. Here's a typical workflow:
### 1. Detect Your Project
```json
detect {path: "."}
```
Returns your project type, package manager, and available scripts:
```json
{
"type": "node",
"package_manager": "pnpm",
"name": "my-app",
"scripts": ["dev", "build", "test", "lint", "typecheck"]
}
```
### 2. Start Your Dev Server
```json
run {script_name: "dev"}
```
Starts the dev server in the background. The AI can now:
- Check status: `proc {action: "status", process_id: "dev"}`
- View output: `proc {action: "output", process_id: "dev", tail: 50}`
- Stop it: `proc {action: "stop", process_id: "dev"}`
### 3. Set Up Proxy for Browser Superpowers
```json
proxy {action: "start", id: "app", target_url: "http://localhost:3000"}
```
The proxy auto-assigns a stable port based on the target URL (check `listen_addr` in response). The proxy:
- Logs all HTTP requests and responses
- Captures frontend JavaScript errors
- Collects performance metrics
- Injects the `window.__devtool` API with 50+ diagnostic primitives
- Shows a floating indicator for browser-to-agent messaging
### 4. Debug Frontend Issues
Query captured data:
```json
// View recent HTTP traffic
proxylog {proxy_id: "app", types: ["http"], limit: 20}
// Check for JavaScript errors
proxylog {proxy_id: "app", types: ["error"]}
// See page load performance
proxylog {proxy_id: "app", types: ["performance"]}
```
Execute browser commands:
```json
// Take a screenshot
proxy {action: "exec", id: "app", code: "window.__devtool.screenshot('debug')"}
// Inspect an element
proxy {action: "exec", id: "app", code: "window.__devtool.inspect('#problem-button')"}
// Run accessibility audit
proxy {action: "exec", id: "app", code: "window.__devtool.auditAccessibility()"}
// Check text fragility
proxy {action: "exec", id: "app", code: "window.__devtool.checkTextFragility()"}
// Check responsive risks
proxy {action: "exec", id: "app", code: "window.__devtool.checkResponsiveRisk()"}
```
## Example Session
Here's a complete debugging session:
```
User: "My app has a layout bug on the dashboard page"
AI: Let me help debug that. First, I'll check your project setup.
[detect {path: "."}]
→ Node.js project with pnpm, scripts: dev, build, test
AI: I'll start the dev server and set up debugging.
[run {script_name: "dev"}]
→ Dev server started on port 3000
[proxy {action: "start", id: "app", target_url: "http://localhost:3000"}]
→ Proxy running on port 45849
AI: Please open http://localhost:45849/dashboard in your browser.
Once loaded, I'll analyze the layout.
[User navigates to the page]
[proxy {action: "exec", id: "app", code: "window.__devtool.diagnoseLayout()"}]
→ Found 2 overflow issues, 1 stacking context problem
[proxy {action: "exec", id: "app", code: "window.__devtool.checkTextFragility()"}]
→ Found text with long words that may overflow on mobile
AI: I found layout issues. Let me check responsive risks.
[proxy {action: "exec", id: "app", code: "window.__devtool.checkResponsiveRisk()"}]
→ 3 elements have fixed widths that break on mobile
AI: The dashboard has several issues:
1. Text with long words needs word-break
2. Fixed-width elements need max-width: 100%
3. Some touch targets are too small
Should I fix these issues?
```
## Using the Floating Indicator
When you browse through the proxy, you'll see a floating bug icon. Click it to:
- **Send messages** directly to your AI agent
- **Take screenshots** of selected areas
- **Run audits** from a dropdown menu
- **Open sketch mode** for wireframing
## Next Steps
- Learn about [Project Detection](/features/project-detection)
- Master [Process Management](/features/process-management)
- Explore the [Reverse Proxy](/features/reverse-proxy)
- Deep dive into [Frontend Diagnostics](/features/frontend-diagnostics)
- Check [Layout Robustness](/api/frontend/layout-robustness) audits