name: local-test version: 0.1.0 description: Build, run, and test Steward locally using Docker containers and Chrome MCP browser automation. activation: keywords: - test locally - local test - docker test - test my changes - test in docker - test web gateway - spin up test - test container patterns: - "test.*local" - "docker.*test" - "spin.*up.*test" - "test.*changes.*docker"
max_context_tokens: 3000
Local Testing with Docker + Chrome MCP
Use this skill to build, run, and test Steward web gateway changes locally using Dockerfile.test and Chrome MCP browser automation tools.
Quick Start
# Build the test image (libsql-only, no PostgreSQL needed)
docker build --platform linux/amd64 -f Dockerfile.test -t steward-test .
# Run on port 3003 (default)
docker run --rm -p 3003:3003 \
-e ONBOARD_COMPLETED=true \
-e CLI_ENABLED=false \
-e NEARAI_API_KEY=<key> \
steward-test
# Open in browser
# http://localhost:3003/?token=test
Building the Image
The test Dockerfile uses a two-stage build: Rust compilation with --features libsql (no PostgreSQL dependency), then a minimal Debian runtime image.
docker build --platform linux/amd64 -f Dockerfile.test -t steward-test .
Build takes ~5-10 minutes on first run (cached subsequent builds are faster). The --platform linux/amd64 flag avoids QEMU warnings on Apple Silicon but can be omitted if targeting native architecture.
Running Containers
Required Environment Variables
| Variable | Purpose | Default in Dockerfile |
|---|---|---|
ONBOARD_COMPLETED=true |
Skip onboarding wizard (exits immediately otherwise) | not set |
CLI_ENABLED=false |
Disable TUI/REPL (causes EOF shutdown otherwise) | not set |
LLM Backend Configuration
Pick ONE of these configurations:
NEAR AI (API key mode):
docker run --rm -p 3003:3003 \
-e ONBOARD_COMPLETED=true \
-e CLI_ENABLED=false \
-e NEARAI_API_KEY=<your-key> \
steward-test
NEAR AI (session token mode):
docker run --rm -p 3003:3003 \
-e ONBOARD_COMPLETED=true \
-e CLI_ENABLED=false \
-e NEARAI_SESSION_TOKEN=<sess_xxx> \
-e NEARAI_BASE_URL=https://private.near.ai \
steward-test
OpenAI:
docker run --rm -p 3003:3003 \
-e ONBOARD_COMPLETED=true \
-e CLI_ENABLED=false \
-e LLM_BACKEND=openai \
-e OPENAI_API_KEY=<your-key> \
steward-test
Anthropic:
docker run --rm -p 3003:3003 \
-e ONBOARD_COMPLETED=true \
-e CLI_ENABLED=false \
-e LLM_BACKEND=anthropic \
-e ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=<your-key> \
steward-test
Dummy run (no LLM, just test the UI loads):
docker run --rm -p 3003:3003 \
-e ONBOARD_COMPLETED=true \
-e CLI_ENABLED=false \
-e NEARAI_API_KEY=dummy \
steward-test
Common Overrides
| Variable | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
GATEWAY_PORT |
Change the listen port | 3003 (default) |
GATEWAY_AUTH_TOKEN |
Auth token for API | test (default) |
NEARAI_MODEL |
Override LLM model | claude-3-5-sonnet-20241022 |
RUST_LOG |
Logging verbosity | steward=debug |
ROUTINES_ENABLED |
Enable routines | true/false |
SKILLS_ENABLED |
Enable skills system | true (default) |
Multi-Instance Testing
Run multiple containers on different host ports:
docker run --rm -d --name ic-test-a -p 3003:3003 -e ONBOARD_COMPLETED=true -e CLI_ENABLED=false -e NEARAI_API_KEY=dummy steward-test
docker run --rm -d --name ic-test-b -p 3004:3003 -e ONBOARD_COMPLETED=true -e CLI_ENABLED=false -e NEARAI_API_KEY=dummy steward-test
Chrome MCP Testing Workflow
Use the Claude for Chrome browser automation tools to test the web UI.
Step 1: Get Browser Context
mcp__claude-in-chrome__tabs_context_mcp
Always start here to see current tabs and get fresh tab IDs.
Step 2: Open the Gateway
mcp__claude-in-chrome__tabs_create_mcp url=http://localhost:3003/?token=test
Step 3: Verify the Page
mcp__claude-in-chrome__read_page
Check for:
- "Connected" indicator in top-right
- All tabs visible: Chat, Memory, Jobs, Routines, Extensions, Skills
Step 4: Take Screenshots
mcp__claude-in-chrome__computer action=screenshot
Step 5: Test Mobile Viewport
mcp__claude-in-chrome__resize_window width=375 height=812
mcp__claude-in-chrome__computer action=screenshot
Reset to desktop:
mcp__claude-in-chrome__resize_window width=1280 height=800
Step 6: Run JavaScript Checks
mcp__claude-in-chrome__javascript_tool script="document.querySelector('.connection-status')?.textContent"
Step 7: Test Interactions
Click tabs, send messages, search skills — use computer tool with action=click and coordinate-based clicks, or use find + form_input for text entry.
Cleanup
# Stop a specific container
docker stop ic-test-a
# Stop all test containers
docker ps --filter ancestor=steward-test -q | xargs -r docker stop
# Remove the test image
docker rmi steward-test
Troubleshooting
Container exits immediately
- Missing
ONBOARD_COMPLETED=true: The onboarding wizard tries to read stdin, gets EOF, and exits. - Missing
CLI_ENABLED=false: The REPL channel reads stdin, gets EOF, and shuts down the agent.
"Model not found" or LLM errors
- Check that your API key/token is valid and the model name is correct.
- For NEAR AI session token mode, you also need
NEARAI_BASE_URL=https://private.near.ai.
Platform mismatch warnings on Apple Silicon
- The
--platform linux/amd64flag causes QEMU emulation warnings — these are harmless. - Alternatively, omit the flag and build natively if your dependencies support ARM64.
Port already in use
- The dev server defaults to port 3001; the test Dockerfile defaults to 3003 to avoid conflicts.
- Use a different host port:
-p 3005:3003.
Cannot connect from browser
- Verify
GATEWAY_HOST=0.0.0.0(set by default in Dockerfile). - Check the container logs:
docker logs <container-id>. - Make sure you include the token query param:
?token=test.