Open files or URLs in a new browser tab, download files, or view images inline

Synopsis

open [--download|-d] [--view|-v] <url|path> [url|path...]

Description

Opens one or more files or URLs. VFS paths are served in a new browser tab via the preview service worker. URLs (http, https, etc.) are opened directly in a new tab. Files with the .shtml extension are opened as sprinkle panels via the sprinkle manager when available, falling back to a browser tab preview.

Options

--download, -d Force download instead of opening in a tab. Reads the file from the VFS and triggers a browser download.

--view, -v Return image inline so the agent can see it. Reads the file and outputs it as a base64-encoded <img:> tag for agent vision.

-h, --help Show help message

Examples

$ open index.html

Open a VFS file in a new browser tab via the preview service worker.

$ open https://example.com

Open a URL directly in a new browser tab.

$ open -d report.pdf

Download a file from the VFS to the user's local machine.

$ open -v screenshot.png

Return the image inline for the agent to inspect visually.

$ open dashboard.shtml

Open a sprinkle panel in the SLICC UI.

Notes

Unlike native open on macOS/Linux, this command operates on the SLICC virtual filesystem and opens content within the browser environment. Multiple targets can be specified in a single invocation.

The --view flag is designed for agent use — it reads the file and returns a base64-encoded image that the LLM can process visually. The --download flag triggers a real browser download to the user's local machine.

For serving entire directories (e.g. web apps), use serve instead.

See Also

serve, playwright-cli