demo-setup

Demo Setup

Set up self-contained demo directories for Pi extensions. The demo directory contains everything needed to showcase an extension: a prompt that runs through the features, fixture files, and pi configuration.

Pi Package Browser

The Pi website has a package browser at buildwithpi.ai/packages. Packages can display preview media.

Adding Preview Media to package.json

{
  "pi": {
    "extensions": ["./index.ts"],
    "video": "https://example.com/demo.mp4",
    "image": "https://example.com/preview.png"
  }
}

Both video and image are optional. Video takes precedence when present.

Video/Image Specs

• Aspect ratio: 16:9 (enforced by aspect-ratio: 16/9 CSS)
• Recommended resolution: 1920x1080
• Object fit: contain on black background
• Modal max width: 900px
• Format: .mp4 for video, .png/.jpg/.jpeg/.webp/.gif for image
• Caching: Client-side localStorage, 15-minute TTL. New visitors or cleared cache see updates immediately.

For Themes

Themes show better as images (screenshots of dark and light variants side by side). A single 16:9 image with both variants is ideal.

Demo Directory Structure

<demo-dir>/
├── .pi/
│   ├── settings.json              # Registers the extension as a local path
│   ├── prompts/
│   │   └── demo.md                # The /demo prompt
│   └── extensions/
│       └── <name>.json            # Extension config overrides (if needed)
├── AGENTS.md                      # Agent instructions (if needed)
└── <fixture files>                # Supporting files the demo needs

Setup Workflow

1. Detect the Extension

Check package.json in the target directory for a pi key with extensions, themes, or skills. Read the README and source to understand what the extension provides: tools, commands, hooks, providers, themes.

2. Create Demo Directory

demo_dir=$(mktemp -d)
mkdir -p "$demo_dir/.pi/prompts"

3. Register the Extension

Create .pi/settings.json pointing to the extension's absolute path:

{
  "packages": [
    "/absolute/path/to/extension"
  ],
  "defaultThinkingLevel": "off"
}

Use defaultThinkingLevel: "off" to keep responses fast and visible during demos.

4. Write the Demo Prompt

Create .pi/prompts/demo.md. Structure it as numbered steps, one feature per step. Each step should produce visible output.

---
description: Showcase the <extension-name> extension
---

Demo the <extension-name> extension. Do each step one at a time.

## 1. <Feature Name>

<What to do and what it demonstrates.>

## 2. <Next Feature>

...

5. Add Fixture Files

Create any files the demo needs to function. Examples by extension type:

Hook-based extensions (e.g., guardrails):

• .env with fake secrets (to trigger env file protection)
• .env.example (to show allowed patterns)
• .pi/extensions/<name>.json with feature toggles enabled

Tool-based extensions (e.g., processes, linkup):

• Fake project files (package.json, scripts/) that the tools operate on
• AGENTS.md instructing the agent to use the extension's tools

Provider extensions (e.g., synthetic):

• No fixtures needed; demo is interactive (/model, send message, /quotas)

Theme packages:

• No fixtures needed; demo switches themes and writes a code file for syntax highlighting

6. Add AGENTS.md (if needed)

When the agent needs specific behavior during the demo (e.g., always use background processes, never run servers in foreground), add an AGENTS.md.

Demo Prompt Patterns by Extension Type

Extensions with Hooks

Trigger each hook by running commands that match hook patterns. Include both blocked and allowed cases.

Extensions with Tools

Call each tool with representative inputs. Show the tool's output rendering.

Extensions with Commands

Run each command (e.g., /extension:command) to show the interactive UI.

Extensions with Providers

1. Switch to the provider: /model <provider>
2. Send a test message
3. Show provider-specific commands (quotas, usage, balance)
4. If the provider has tools (web search), use them
5. Switch back to default provider

Themes

1. Switch to the theme: /theme <name>
2. Write a code file to show syntax highlighting
3. If there are variants (light/dark), switch between them

Output

After creating the demo directory, print the path and instructions:

Demo ready at: <path>

  cd <path>
  pi

Then type /demo to start.