docs: update docs, READMEs, and skills for browser support

Author: ericallam

README.md

@@ -90,6 +90,7 @@ All methods are documented in detail at [agentcrumbs.dev/docs/api](https://agent
 
 | Method | Purpose |
 | --- | --- |
+| `configure(config)` | Enable tracing in the browser (no-op in Node.js) |
 | `trail(namespace)` | Create a trail function for a namespace |
 | `crumb(msg, data?, options?)` | Drop a crumb with message and optional data |
 | `crumb.scope(name, fn)` | Wrap a function with entry/exit/error tracking |
@@ -104,9 +105,16 @@ All methods are documented in detail at [agentcrumbs.dev/docs/api](https://agent
 
 Mark crumb lines with `// @crumbs` (single line) or `// #region @crumbs` / `// #endregion @crumbs` (block) so they can be stripped before merge. See the [markers docs](https://agentcrumbs.dev/docs/markers) for details and examples.
 
-## Environment variable
+## Configuration
 
-Everything is controlled by a single `AGENTCRUMBS` environment variable.
+In Node.js, everything is controlled by a single `AGENTCRUMBS` environment variable. In the browser, use `configure()`:
+
+```typescript
+import { configure } from "agentcrumbs"; // @crumbs
+configure("*"); // @crumbs — enable all namespaces
+```
+
+### Environment variable (Node.js)
 
 | Value | Effect |
 | --- | --- |
@@ -173,9 +181,10 @@ curl -X POST http://localhost:8374/crumb \
 
 ## Runtime compatibility
 
-Zero runtime dependencies. Node.js built-in modules only: `node:http`, `node:async_hooks`, `node:crypto`, `node:fs`, `node:util`.
+Zero runtime dependencies.
 
-Verified compatible with **Node.js 18+** and **Bun**.
+- **Node.js 18+** and **Bun** — uses `node:async_hooks`, `node:crypto`, `node:fs`, `node:util`
+- **Browsers** — Vite, webpack, esbuild, Next.js auto-resolve to the browser build via the `"browser"` export condition. Same `"agentcrumbs"` import path. Use `configure()` instead of the env var to enable tracing. See the [browser guide](https://agentcrumbs.dev/docs/guides/browser).
 
 ## Docs
 

docs/content/docs/api/trail.mdx

@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ Returns a `TrailFn`, a callable function with additional methods:
 When a namespace is disabled, `trail()` returns a pre-built frozen noop function. There is no `if (enabled)` check on every call. The function itself IS the noop.
 
 ```typescript
-// When AGENTCRUMBS is unset:
+// When tracing is not enabled:
 const crumb = trail("my-service");  // returns frozen NOOP
 crumb("msg", { data });              // empty function, returns undefined
 crumb.scope("op", fn);               // calls fn() directly

docs/content/docs/config/env-var.mdx

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ title: "Environment variable"
 description: "Configure agentcrumbs with the AGENTCRUMBS env var"
 ---
 
-Everything is controlled by a single `AGENTCRUMBS` environment variable.
+In Node.js, everything is controlled by a single `AGENTCRUMBS` environment variable. In the browser, use [`configure()`](/guides/browser) instead.
 
 ## Shorthand values
 

docs/content/docs/config/sinks.mdx

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ title: "Sinks"
 description: "Configure where crumbs are sent"
 ---
 
-By default, crumbs are sent via HTTP to the collector and also printed to stderr. You can add custom sinks or replace the defaults.
+By default, crumbs are sent via HTTP to the collector and also printed to the console. In Node.js, output goes to stderr with ANSI colors. In the browser, output goes to `console.debug()` with CSS styling. You can add custom sinks or replace the defaults.
 
 ## Custom sink
 
@@ -32,7 +32,10 @@ import { HttpSink } from "agentcrumbs";
 
 ### ConsoleSink
 
-Pretty-printed stderr output. Added automatically when `AGENTCRUMBS` is set.
+Pretty-printed console output. Added automatically when tracing is enabled.
+
+- **Node.js**: ANSI-colored output to stderr
+- **Browser**: CSS-styled output via `console.debug()`, with `console.groupCollapsed()` for scopes and interactive object rendering in DevTools
 
 ```typescript
 import { ConsoleSink } from "agentcrumbs";

docs/content/docs/guides/browser.mdx

@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+---
+title: "Browser"
+description: "Use agentcrumbs in browser apps with the same import path"
+---
+
+agentcrumbs works in the browser with the same `"agentcrumbs"` import. Bundlers that respect the `"browser"` export condition (Vite, webpack, esbuild, Next.js) automatically resolve to the browser build.
+
+## Enable tracing
+
+Browsers don't have environment variables. Use `configure()` instead:
+
+```typescript
+import { configure, trail } from "agentcrumbs"; // @crumbs
+
+configure("*"); // @crumbs — enable all namespaces
+
+const crumb = trail("ui"); // @crumbs
+```
+
+`configure()` accepts the same values as the `AGENTCRUMBS` env var:
+
+```typescript
+// Enable all
+configure("*"); // @crumbs
+
+// Namespace filter
+configure("ui-*,api-*"); // @crumbs
+
+// Full config object
+configure({ ns: "ui-*", app: "my-app", format: "pretty" }); // @crumbs
+```
+
+Call `configure()` before any `trail()` calls. A good place is your app's entry point.
+
+### Declarative fallback
+
+You can also set config on `globalThis` before importing agentcrumbs:
+
+```html
+<script>
+  window.__AGENTCRUMBS__ = "*";
+  // or: window.__AGENTCRUMBS__ = { ns: "ui-*", app: "my-app" };
+  // or set just the app name: window.__AGENTCRUMBS_APP__ = "my-app";
+</script>
+```
+
+## App name
+
+In the browser, the app name is resolved in this order:
+1. `app` field from `configure()` config
+2. `globalThis.__AGENTCRUMBS_APP__`
+3. Fallback: `"browser"`
+
+## Console output
+
+In the browser, crumbs are written to `console.debug()` with CSS styling:
+
+- Namespace labels are color-coded
+- Scope enter/exit use `console.groupCollapsed()` / `console.groupEnd()` for collapsible nesting
+- Data objects are passed as additional arguments so DevTools renders them interactively
+
+When `format: "json"` is set, crumbs are written as JSON strings via `console.debug()`.
+
+## Collector support
+
+The browser build includes the HTTP sink, so crumbs are sent to the collector just like in Node.js. Start `agentcrumbs collect` on your dev machine and crumbs from both your server and browser flow to the same place.
+
+```bash
+# Terminal: Start collector
+agentcrumbs collect
+
+# Browser crumbs + server crumbs appear together
+agentcrumbs tail --all-apps
+```
+
+The browser defaults to `http://localhost:8374/crumb`. Make sure CORS allows it, or the HTTP sink silently fails (crumbs still appear in the DevTools console).
+
+## Differences from Node.js
+
+| | Node.js | Browser |
+|---|---------|---------|
+| **Config** | `AGENTCRUMBS` env var | `configure()` call |
+| **Console output** | ANSI-colored stderr | CSS-styled DevTools console |
+| **Async context** | `AsyncLocalStorage` | Sync stack (single-threaded) |
+| **Process ID** | `process.pid` | `0` |
+| **Session file** | Reads `/tmp/agentcrumbs.session` | Skipped |
+| **UUID** | `node:crypto` | Web Crypto API |
+| **App fallback** | Nearest `package.json` name | `"browser"` |
+
+### Context isolation
+
+The browser uses a sync stack instead of `AsyncLocalStorage`. This works for all linear async flows. However, concurrent branches in `Promise.all` won't isolate context from each other. This is acceptable for debugging — just be aware that nested scopes inside `Promise.all` may share context.
+
+## configure() in Node.js
+
+`configure()` is exported from both builds so your code compiles in both environments. In Node.js it's a no-op — use the `AGENTCRUMBS` env var instead.

docs/content/docs/guides/meta.json

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 {
   "title": "Guides",
-  "pages": ["node-modules", "multi-service", "pr-reviewers", "cross-language"]
+  "pages": ["browser", "node-modules", "multi-service", "pr-reviewers", "cross-language"]
 }

docs/content/docs/index.mdx

@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ Service C ──┘  (fire & forget)               └── ~/.agentcrumbs/<app
 - **Strip before merge.** `agentcrumbs strip` removes all `// @crumbs` lines and `#region @crumbs` blocks. Clean diffs, no debug code on main.
 - **HTTP collector.** `agentcrumbs collect` receives crumbs from all services via fire-and-forget HTTP. Tail, query, and replay from the CLI.
 - **Works with any agent.** Claude Code, Cursor, Copilot, Aider, custom agents. If the agent can write code, it can write crumbs.
+- **Works in the browser.** Same import path. Bundlers auto-resolve to the browser build. Use `configure()` instead of the env var. See the [browser guide](/guides/browser).
 - **Ships with agent skills.** Built on [@tanstack/intent](https://tanstack.com/blog/from-docs-to-agents). Install the package, tell your agent to run `npx @tanstack/intent install`, and it learns how to use crumbs from the package itself. No stale training data.
 
 ## Install

docs/content/docs/quickstart.mdx

@@ -98,9 +98,25 @@ agentcrumbs strip
 agentcrumbs strip --check
 ```
 
+## Browser apps
+
+agentcrumbs works in the browser with the same import. Use `configure()` instead of the env var:
+
+```typescript
+import { configure, trail } from "agentcrumbs"; // @crumbs
+
+configure("*"); // @crumbs
+const crumb = trail("ui"); // @crumbs
+
+crumb("button clicked", { id: "submit" }); // @crumbs
+```
+
+Bundlers that support the `"browser"` export condition (Vite, webpack, esbuild, Next.js) resolve to the browser build automatically. See the [browser guide](/guides/browser) for details.
+
 ## Next steps
 
 - [Skills](/skills): how agents learn to use agentcrumbs from the package itself
 - [Workflow](/workflow): how crumbs fit into the branch lifecycle
 - [API reference](/api/trail): full API docs
 - [CLI reference](/cli/collect): collector, tail, query, strip
+- [Browser guide](/guides/browser): using agentcrumbs in browser apps

packages/agentcrumbs/README.md

@@ -90,6 +90,7 @@ All methods are documented in detail at [agentcrumbs.dev/docs/api](https://agent
 
 | Method | Purpose |
 | --- | --- |
+| `configure(config)` | Enable tracing in the browser (no-op in Node.js) |
 | `trail(namespace)` | Create a trail function for a namespace |
 | `crumb(msg, data?, options?)` | Drop a crumb with message and optional data |
 | `crumb.scope(name, fn)` | Wrap a function with entry/exit/error tracking |
@@ -104,9 +105,16 @@ All methods are documented in detail at [agentcrumbs.dev/docs/api](https://agent
 
 Mark crumb lines with `// @crumbs` (single line) or `// #region @crumbs` / `// #endregion @crumbs` (block) so they can be stripped before merge. See the [markers docs](https://agentcrumbs.dev/docs/markers) for details and examples.
 
-## Environment variable
+## Configuration
 
-Everything is controlled by a single `AGENTCRUMBS` environment variable.
+In Node.js, everything is controlled by a single `AGENTCRUMBS` environment variable. In the browser, use `configure()`:
+
+```typescript
+import { configure } from "agentcrumbs"; // @crumbs
+configure("*"); // @crumbs — enable all namespaces
+```
+
+### Environment variable (Node.js)
 
 | Value | Effect |
 | --- | --- |
@@ -173,9 +181,10 @@ curl -X POST http://localhost:8374/crumb \
 
 ## Runtime compatibility
 
-Zero runtime dependencies. Node.js built-in modules only: `node:http`, `node:async_hooks`, `node:crypto`, `node:fs`, `node:util`.
+Zero runtime dependencies.
 
-Verified compatible with **Node.js 18+** and **Bun**.
+- **Node.js 18+** and **Bun** — uses `node:async_hooks`, `node:crypto`, `node:fs`, `node:util`
+- **Browsers** — Vite, webpack, esbuild, Next.js auto-resolve to the browser build via the `"browser"` export condition. Same `"agentcrumbs"` import path. Use `configure()` instead of the env var to enable tracing. See the [browser guide](https://agentcrumbs.dev/docs/guides/browser).
 
 ## Docs
 

packages/agentcrumbs/skills/agentcrumbs/SKILL.md

@@ -127,12 +127,24 @@ Run `agentcrumbs <command> --help` for detailed options on any command.
 
 ## Enable tracing
 
+**Node.js:** Set the `AGENTCRUMBS` environment variable:
+
 ```bash
 AGENTCRUMBS=1 node app.js              # Enable all namespaces
 AGENTCRUMBS='{"ns":"auth-*"}' node app.js  # Filter by namespace
 ```
 
-When `AGENTCRUMBS` is not set, `trail()` returns a frozen noop. No conditionals, no overhead.
+**Browser:** Use `configure()` instead (no env vars in browsers):
+
+```typescript
+import { configure, trail } from "agentcrumbs"; // @crumbs
+configure("*"); // @crumbs — enable all namespaces
+const crumb = trail("ui"); // @crumbs
+```
+
+Bundlers (Vite, webpack, esbuild, Next.js) auto-resolve to the browser build. Same import path.
+
+When tracing is not enabled, `trail()` returns a frozen noop. No conditionals, no overhead.
 
 ## App isolation
 
@@ -156,7 +168,8 @@ agentcrumbs stats --all-apps     # Per-app statistics
 
 1. **Over-filtering queries** — Do NOT add `--ns` or `--match` filters to narrow results. Use `--limit` and `--cursor` to paginate instead. Filtering to one namespace hides cross-service bugs. If there are too many results, narrow the time window or reduce `--limit`, not the namespaces.
 2. **Missing markers** — Every crumb line needs `// @crumbs` or a `#region @crumbs` block. Without them, `strip` can't clean up.
-3. **Creating trail() in hot paths** — `trail()` parses the env var each call. Create once at module scope, use `child()` for per-request context.
+3. **Creating trail() in hot paths** — `trail()` parses config each call. Create once at module scope, use `child()` for per-request context.
+4. **Forgetting configure() in the browser** — In browser apps, call `configure("*")` before any `trail()` calls. Without it, all namespaces are disabled.
 4. **No collector running** — Without `agentcrumbs collect`, crumbs go to stderr only and can't be queried. Start the collector before reproducing issues.
 
 ## Further discovery