Desktop web preview and inspector
The LatchLoop desktop app can launch a local web preview for a project and show it directly inside a task. This lets you run the app, inspect what changed, and send more specific feedback without leaving LatchLoop.
What the preview is for
Use desktop web preview when you want to:
- run a local app server from a mapped repository
- view the result of a task in an embedded browser surface
- save reusable preview settings for a project
- capture UI-specific feedback for the agent
- point the agent at an exact element that needs to change
The preview is available in the desktop app for software projects with a connected local repository.
Preview settings
LatchLoop can try to detect the local app server settings automatically. You can also edit them manually.
Common settings include:
- command, such as
npm run dev
- working directory, if the app lives in a subfolder
- preview URL, such as
http://localhost:3000
These settings are saved to the project so future tasks can reuse them.
Starting the preview
- Open a task in the LatchLoop desktop app.
- Make sure the project has a mapped local repository.
- Click Preview in the task header.
- Review or edit the detected settings.
- Launch the preview.
LatchLoop shows server status, logs, and errors so you can tell whether the app started successfully.
Inspector mode
Inspector mode lets you click an element in the embedded preview and turn that selection into targeted PR feedback.
This helps the agent understand exactly which button, card, text block, or layout area you want changed.
Troubleshooting
Preview will not start
- Confirm the repository is mapped locally.
- Confirm the command works in your terminal.
- Check whether the working directory should be a subfolder.
- Check the logs shown in the preview panel.
Preview URL does not load
- Confirm the local server is running.
- Make sure the URL and port match your app.
- If your app takes time to compile, wait for the server logs to show it is ready.