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Playground Agent

Before publishing, Agent should be tested using Playground function. The Playground allows you to interact with your agent in a sandbox environment, verify MCP Server connections, test skills, and ensure everything works as expected.

The Agent Playground provides a chat-based testing interface where you can:

  • Send messages to your agent and review responses
  • Connect and authenticate MCP Servers (Connectors)
  • Select and test Skills attached to the agent
  • Verify tool availability from connected MCP Servers
  • Manage connectors and skills configuration

Accessing the Playground​

  1. Open your AI Agent in the design canvas.
  2. Click the Playground button to launch the testing interface.
  3. The Playground opens with:
    • Chat area (center): Main conversation interface to interact with your agent.
    • Right panel: Displays Todos, Context, and Connectors sections.
    • Input toolbar (bottom): Options to add files, select connectors, and choose skills.

Authenticating MCP Servers​

When your agent uses MCP Servers that require OAuth authentication, you must authenticate before testing.

Step 1: Handle Unauthenticated MCP Servers​

If an MCP Server is not yet authenticated, a dialog appears:

  • Title: "Unauthenticated MCP Servers"
  • Message: "401 Not authenticated for below MCP Servers:"
  • A list of unauthenticated servers is displayed (e.g., "ZCP Alert MCP").
  • Click Connect next to the server you want to authenticate.

Step 2: Authorize the Application​

After clicking Connect, a browser window opens with an Application Access Request page:

  • Application name: The MCP Client requesting access (e.g., "NPO MCP Client").
  • Server name: The MCP Server being accessed (e.g., "zcp-alert-mcp-kks").
  • Callback URL: The credentials destination URL is displayed for verification.
  • Review the access request details carefully.
  • Click Allow Access to grant permission, or Deny to reject.
  • Expand Advanced Details for additional information if needed.

Step 3: Confirm Authentication​

Upon successful authentication, a confirmation page appears:

  • Title: "Authentication Complete"
  • Message: "OAuth authentication completed successfully. You may close this window."
  • User: Your authenticated user ID is displayed.
  • Server: The connected backend server name is shown.
  • Click Close to return to the Playground.

Note: The connector status indicator changes from red (disconnected) to green (connected) after successful authentication.

Using Connectors​

Connectors are MCP Servers that provide tools to your agent.

Selecting Connectors in Chat​

  1. Click the + button or the input area at the bottom of the Playground.
  2. Select Connectors from the menu.
  3. A submenu displays all available connectors (e.g., "ZCP Alert MCP").
  4. Click a connector to enable it for the current conversation.
  5. Click Manage connectors to open the Customize panel for advanced settings.

Connector Status Indicators​

Each connector shows a status indicator:

  • Red dot (●): Not connected / authentication required.
  • Green dot (●): Connected and ready to use.
  • Link icon (🔗): Click to initiate or re-authenticate the connection.

Using Skills​

Skills are reusable task components that extend your agent's capabilities.

Selecting Skills in Chat​

  1. Click the + button or the input area at the bottom of the Playground.
  2. Select Skills from the menu.
  3. A submenu displays all available skills (e.g., "new skill edit 28.4", "skill-creator2").
  4. Click a skill to attach it to the current conversation.
  5. Click Manage skills to open the Customize panel for skill configuration.

Customize Panel​

The Customize panel allows you to manage Connectors and Skills in detail.

Managing Connectors​

  1. Click Manage connectors from the Connectors submenu, or open the Customize panel directly.
  2. The Connectors tab displays:
    • Left panel: List of all MCP Servers with their connection status.
    • Right panel: Tools available from the selected MCP Server.
  3. Select an MCP Server from the list to view its available tools.
  4. If "No tools available" is shown, the MCP Server may need:
    • Authentication (click the link icon to connect).
    • Tool configuration on the server side.
    • Verification that the backend is running and accessible.

Managing Skills​

  1. Click Manage skills from the Skills submenu, or switch to the Skills tab in the Customize panel.
  2. The Skills tab displays:
    • Left panel: List of all configured skills (e.g., "Docs Deployer", "Docs Updator").
    • Right panel: Skill details including description, SKILL.md content, and attached files.
  3. Select a skill to view its:
    • Description: Brief overview of the skill's purpose.
    • SKILL.md: Detailed instructions and workflow definition.
    • Files: Associated files and resources.

Testing Your Agent​

Sending Messages​

  1. Type your message in the input field at the bottom of the chat area.
  2. Click the Send button (arrow icon) or press Enter.
  3. The agent processes your message using the configured LLM, connectors, and skills.
  4. Responses appear in the chat area.

If agent call a tool with human in the loop is set, the chat looks like image below with intervention waiting for human decision.

Adding Files and Photos​

  1. Click the + button at the bottom of the Playground.
  2. Select Add photos & files.
  3. Upload files to include as context in your conversation.

Monitoring the Right Panel​

The right panel provides real-time status:

SectionDescription
TodosDisplays task items the agent is tracking. Shows "Not found" if none exist.
ContextShows context data being used by the agent. Shows "Not found" if none exist.
ConnectorsLists connected MCP Servers with their status indicators.

Troubleshooting​

MCP Server Shows "No tools available"​

  • Verify the MCP Server is authenticated (status should be green).
  • Check that the backend server is running and accessible.
  • Ensure tools are properly configured in the MCP Server Profile.
  • Try disconnecting and reconnecting the MCP Server.

Authentication Fails (401 Error)​

  • Verify your OAuth credentials (Client ID, Client Secret) are correct.
  • Check that the OAuth provider URL is accessible.
  • Ensure your user account has permission to access the MCP Server.
  • Try clicking Connect again to re-initiate the OAuth flow.

Connector Status Remains Red After Authentication​

  • Refresh the Playground page.
  • Check if the authentication callback URL is correctly configured.
  • Verify network connectivity to the MCP Server endpoint.

Best Practices​

  • Test incrementally: Start by testing basic chat, then add connectors and skills one at a time.
  • Verify authentication first: Ensure all MCP Servers show green status before testing tool-dependent features.
  • Check tool availability: Use the Customize panel to confirm tools are loaded from connected MCP Servers.
  • Review skill definitions: Open the Skills tab to verify SKILL.md instructions match your expected behavior.
  • Start a new chat: Click + New Chat to reset the conversation context when switching test scenarios.
  • Test before publishing: Always validate agent behavior thoroughly in the Playground before publishing to production.