| name | va-preview |
| description | Codex only: start a live preview from a Codex session so the user can see your work in their browser or phone. Use after starting a dev server or creating HTML files. Only available when the VibeAround MCP server is connected. |
VibeAround Live Preview
After you finish building a web application, HTML page, or any browsable artifact, start a live preview so the user can see the result immediately via a shareable URL.
When to Use
- You just started a dev server (next dev, vite, python -m http.server, etc.)
- You created HTML/CSS/JS files the user should see
- The user asked to "show me", "preview", or "let me see it"
- Only when the VibeAround MCP server is connected
Proactive behavior: After starting a dev server or creating a web artifact, proactively ask the user if they'd like a preview link (e.g. "Want me to generate a preview link so you can see it on your phone?"). If the user confirms, call preview. Do NOT call the tool without asking first.
Prerequisites
The VibeAround MCP server must be connected (server name: vibearound). If not available, tell the user to start the VibeAround desktop app.
Steps
1. Start the server (if not already running)
Before calling preview, make sure:
- The port you want is free:
lsof -i :<port> should return nothing
- The server is actually listening (wait for "Listening on..." or similar in the output)
- Use
--host 0.0.0.0 when available for broader compatibility
2. Get your session ID
Use the va-session skill to resolve your current session ID.
3. Call preview
Tool: preview
Server: vibearound
Arguments:
port: <the port your server is running on>
cwd: "<current working directory>"
session_id: "<session_id from step 2>" (pass if available)
title: "<short description of what you built>" (optional)
If the tool says the workspace is not registered, call register_workspace with the cwd first, then retry.
4. Present BOTH links to the user
The tool returns an Owner link and a Share link. Always show both in this format:
Preview 已就绪：
- 你的预览: <owner_url>
- 分享链接: <share_url>（10 分钟有效）
Or in English:
Preview ready:
- Owner: <owner_url>
- Share: <share_url> (expires in 10 min)
Never omit either link. The owner link is permanent (requires browser pairing). The share link is temporary and needs no auth — ideal for sending to others.
Error Handling
- MCP server not available: The VibeAround desktop app may not be running.
- Workspace not registered: Call
register_workspace first, then retry.
- Port in use: Check with
lsof -i :<port> and choose a different port.
