- name
- setup-component-explorer-light
- description
- Lightweight setup — install Component Explorer packages and add the Vite plugin, with MCP server for AI agent integration. USE FOR: "lightweight or minimal component explorer setup", "install the packages and add the Vite plugin", "component explorer without the CLI daemon", "MCP server for AI agent integration". DO NOT USE FOR: "full setup with VS Code tasks and launch config", "write a fixture for a component".
# Skill: Setup Component Explorer (Light)
Minimal setup: install packages and wire the Vite plugin so fixtures are served at `___explorer`. For the full setup (CLI daemon, VS Code tasks & launch config), use the **setup-component-explorer-full** skill.
## Prerequisites
- The project uses **Vite** as its bundler
- Node.js >= 22
## Step 1: Install Packages
```bash
npm install @vscode/component-explorer @vscode/component-explorer-vite-plugin
```
Use the project's package manager (npm, pnpm, yarn). For workspace monorepos, install into the package that owns the Vite config.
## Step 2: Configure Vite Plugin
Add `componentExplorer()` to `vite.config.ts`:
```ts
import { componentExplorer } from '@vscode/component-explorer-vite-plugin';
export default defineConfig({
plugins: [
// ... existing plugins (react, tailwind, etc.)
componentExplorer(),
],
});
```
### Plugin Options
| Option | Default | Description |
|--------|---------|-------------|
| `include` | `'./src/**/*.fixture.{ts,tsx}'` | Glob pattern for fixture files |
| `route` | `'/___explorer'` | URL path for the explorer UI |
| `build` | `'app-only'` | Build mode: `'app-only'`, `'all'`, or `'explorer-only'` |
| `outFile` | `'___explorer.html'` | Output filename for built explorer |
| `logLevel` | `'info'` | `'silent'`, `'info'`, `'verbose'`, `'warn'`, `'error'` |
For projects where fixtures live outside `./src`, set `include` explicitly:
```ts
componentExplorer({
include: './test/**/*.fixture.{ts,tsx,js,jsx}',
}),
```
## Step 3: Start Dev Server and Open Explorer
1. Start the Vite dev server as a background terminal process (e.g. `npx vite`, `pnpm dev`).
2. Once the server is ready, open the component explorer in VS Code's Simple Browser by running the VS Code command (adjust port if needed):
```
simpleBrowser.show with url: http://localhost:5173/___explorer
```
**Important:** Before writing any fixtures, read the **use-component-explorer** skill. It covers fixture patterns, project-specific wrappers, and best practices that are essential for correct usage.
## Optional: MCP Server for AI Agent Integration
To enable AI agents (Copilot) to take screenshots, compare fixtures, and interact with components, add the MCP server.
### Install the CLI
```bash
npm install @vscode/component-explorer-cli
```
### Create `component-explorer.json`
Create `component-explorer.json` next to the Vite config (or at the project root). This points the CLI at the running Vite dev server:
```json
{
"$schema": "node_modules/@vscode/component-explorer-cli/dist/component-explorer-config.schema.json",
"sessions": [{ "name": "current" }],
"server": {
"type": "http",
"url": "http://localhost:5173"
}
}
```
Adjust the `url` if the dev server uses a different port.
### Configure `.vscode/mcp.json`
Create or update `.vscode/mcp.json` to register the MCP server:
```json
{
"servers": {
"component-explorer": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"component-explorer",
"mcp",
"-p",
"./component-explorer.json"
]
}
}
}
```
Adjust the `-p` path if `component-explorer.json` is not at the workspace root.
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