From 2d0520b770789b9a52bcee0041d93578503d8231 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Chris Tate <chris@ctate.dev>
Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2026 11:33:37 -0600
Subject: [PATCH] init

---
 .gitignore      |  33 +++++
 README.md       | 123 +++++++++++++++++++
 bin/veb         |   2 +
 package.json    |  34 ++++++
 src/actions.ts  | 310 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 src/browser.ts  |  95 +++++++++++++++
 src/client.ts   | 147 ++++++++++++++++++++++
 src/daemon.ts   | 161 ++++++++++++++++++++++++
 src/index.ts    | 316 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 src/protocol.ts | 176 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 src/types.ts    | 160 ++++++++++++++++++++++++
 tsconfig.json   |  19 +++
 12 files changed, 1576 insertions(+)
 create mode 100644 .gitignore
 create mode 100644 README.md
 create mode 100755 bin/veb
 create mode 100644 package.json
 create mode 100644 src/actions.ts
 create mode 100644 src/browser.ts
 create mode 100644 src/client.ts
 create mode 100644 src/daemon.ts
 create mode 100644 src/index.ts
 create mode 100644 src/protocol.ts
 create mode 100644 src/types.ts
 create mode 100644 tsconfig.json

diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d322e88
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+# Dependencies
+node_modules/
+
+# Build output
+dist/
+
+# Logs
+*.log
+npm-debug.log*
+
+# IDE
+.idea/
+.vscode/
+*.swp
+*.swo
+
+# OS
+.DS_Store
+Thumbs.db
+
+# Test artifacts
+*.png
+*.jpeg
+*.jpg
+
+# Package manager
+pnpm-lock.yaml
+package-lock.json
+yarn.lock
+
+# Environment
+.env
+.env.local
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c9db724
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,123 @@
+# veb
+
+Headless browser automation CLI for agents and humans.
+
+## Installation
+
+```bash
+pnpm install
+npx playwright install chromium
+pnpm build
+```
+
+## Usage
+
+```bash
+# Open a URL (auto-starts browser daemon)
+veb open https://example.com
+
+# Click elements
+veb click "#submit-btn"
+veb click "text=Sign In"
+
+# Type into inputs
+veb type "#email" hello@example.com
+veb type "#search" "search query"
+
+# Press keyboard keys
+veb press Enter
+veb press Tab
+
+# Wait for things
+veb wait "#loading"              # wait for selector
+veb wait --text "Welcome"        # wait for text
+veb wait 2000                    # wait 2 seconds
+
+# Take screenshots
+veb screenshot page.png
+veb screenshot --full page.png   # full page
+veb screenshot -s "#hero"        # specific element
+
+# Get accessibility snapshot (great for AI agents)
+veb snapshot
+
+# Extract HTML content
+veb extract "table"
+veb extract "#main"
+
+# Evaluate JavaScript
+veb eval "document.title"
+veb eval "window.location.href"
+
+# Scroll the page
+veb scroll down 500
+veb scroll up
+veb scroll -s "#container" down
+
+# Interact with dropdowns
+veb select "#country" "US"
+
+# Hover over elements
+veb hover "#menu"
+
+# Close browser (stops daemon)
+veb close
+```
+
+## Agent Mode
+
+Use `--json` flag for machine-readable output:
+
+```bash
+veb open https://example.com --json
+# {"id":"abc123","success":true,"data":{"url":"https://example.com/","title":"Example Domain"}}
+
+veb snapshot --json
+# {"id":"def456","success":true,"data":{"snapshot":"..."}}
+```
+
+## How It Works
+
+veb runs a background daemon that keeps the browser open between commands. The first command automatically starts the daemon. Use `veb close` to shut it down.
+
+## Commands Reference
+
+| Command | Description |
+|---------|-------------|
+| `open <url>` | Navigate to a URL |
+| `click <selector>` | Click an element |
+| `type <selector> <text>` | Type text into an element |
+| `press <key>` | Press a keyboard key |
+| `wait <selector\|text\|ms>` | Wait for condition |
+| `screenshot [path]` | Take a screenshot |
+| `snapshot` | Get accessibility tree |
+| `extract <selector>` | Get element HTML |
+| `eval <script>` | Run JavaScript |
+| `scroll <dir> [amount]` | Scroll page |
+| `hover <selector>` | Hover over element |
+| `select <selector> <val>` | Select dropdown option |
+| `close` | Close browser |
+
+## Options
+
+| Option | Description |
+|--------|-------------|
+| `--json` | Output raw JSON |
+| `--full, -f` | Full page screenshot |
+| `--text, -t` | Wait for text |
+| `--selector, -s` | Target element |
+| `--debug` | Show debug timing info |
+| `--help, -h` | Show help |
+
+## Selectors
+
+veb supports all Playwright selectors:
+
+- CSS: `#id`, `.class`, `div.container`
+- Text: `text=Click me`, `"Click me"`
+- XPath: `xpath=//button`
+- Role: `role=button[name="Submit"]`
+
+## License
+
+MIT
diff --git a/bin/veb b/bin/veb
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..924fff1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/veb
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env node
+import '../dist/index.js';
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cdfbb30
--- /dev/null
+++ b/package.json
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+{
+  "name": "veb",
+  "version": "1.0.0",
+  "description": "Headless browser automation CLI for agents and humans",
+  "type": "module",
+  "main": "dist/index.js",
+  "bin": {
+    "veb": "./bin/veb"
+  },
+  "scripts": {
+    "build": "tsc",
+    "start": "node dist/index.js",
+    "dev": "tsx src/index.ts"
+  },
+  "keywords": [
+    "browser",
+    "automation",
+    "headless",
+    "playwright",
+    "cli",
+    "agent"
+  ],
+  "author": "",
+  "license": "MIT",
+  "dependencies": {
+    "playwright": "^1.40.0",
+    "zod": "^3.22.4"
+  },
+  "devDependencies": {
+    "@types/node": "^20.10.0",
+    "tsx": "^4.6.0",
+    "typescript": "^5.3.0"
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/actions.ts b/src/actions.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8f0d90a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/actions.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,310 @@
+import type { Page } from 'playwright';
+import type { BrowserManager } from './browser.js';
+import type {
+  Command,
+  Response,
+  NavigateCommand,
+  ClickCommand,
+  TypeCommand,
+  PressCommand,
+  ScreenshotCommand,
+  EvaluateCommand,
+  WaitCommand,
+  ScrollCommand,
+  SelectCommand,
+  HoverCommand,
+  ContentCommand,
+  NavigateData,
+  ScreenshotData,
+  EvaluateData,
+  ContentData,
+} from './types.js';
+import { successResponse, errorResponse } from './protocol.js';
+
+// Snapshot response type
+interface SnapshotData {
+  snapshot: string;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Execute a command and return a response
+ */
+export async function executeCommand(
+  command: Command,
+  browser: BrowserManager
+): Promise<Response> {
+  try {
+    switch (command.action) {
+      case 'launch':
+        return await handleLaunch(command, browser);
+      case 'navigate':
+        return await handleNavigate(command, browser);
+      case 'click':
+        return await handleClick(command, browser);
+      case 'type':
+        return await handleType(command, browser);
+      case 'press':
+        return await handlePress(command, browser);
+      case 'screenshot':
+        return await handleScreenshot(command, browser);
+      case 'snapshot':
+        return await handleSnapshot(command, browser);
+      case 'evaluate':
+        return await handleEvaluate(command, browser);
+      case 'wait':
+        return await handleWait(command, browser);
+      case 'scroll':
+        return await handleScroll(command, browser);
+      case 'select':
+        return await handleSelect(command, browser);
+      case 'hover':
+        return await handleHover(command, browser);
+      case 'content':
+        return await handleContent(command, browser);
+      case 'close':
+        return await handleClose(command, browser);
+      default: {
+        // TypeScript narrows to never here, but we handle it for safety
+        const unknownCommand = command as { id: string; action: string };
+        return errorResponse(unknownCommand.id, `Unknown action: ${unknownCommand.action}`);
+      }
+    }
+  } catch (error) {
+    const message = error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error);
+    return errorResponse(command.id, message);
+  }
+}
+
+async function handleLaunch(
+  command: Command & { action: 'launch' },
+  browser: BrowserManager
+): Promise<Response> {
+  await browser.launch(command);
+  return successResponse(command.id, { launched: true });
+}
+
+async function handleNavigate(
+  command: NavigateCommand,
+  browser: BrowserManager
+): Promise<Response<NavigateData>> {
+  const page = browser.getPage();
+  await page.goto(command.url, {
+    waitUntil: command.waitUntil ?? 'load',
+  });
+  
+  return successResponse(command.id, {
+    url: page.url(),
+    title: await page.title(),
+  });
+}
+
+async function handleClick(
+  command: ClickCommand,
+  browser: BrowserManager
+): Promise<Response> {
+  const page = browser.getPage();
+  await page.click(command.selector, {
+    button: command.button,
+    clickCount: command.clickCount,
+    delay: command.delay,
+  });
+  
+  return successResponse(command.id, { clicked: true });
+}
+
+async function handleType(
+  command: TypeCommand,
+  browser: BrowserManager
+): Promise<Response> {
+  const page = browser.getPage();
+  
+  if (command.clear) {
+    await page.fill(command.selector, '');
+  }
+  
+  await page.type(command.selector, command.text, {
+    delay: command.delay,
+  });
+  
+  return successResponse(command.id, { typed: true });
+}
+
+async function handlePress(
+  command: PressCommand,
+  browser: BrowserManager
+): Promise<Response> {
+  const page = browser.getPage();
+  
+  if (command.selector) {
+    await page.press(command.selector, command.key);
+  } else {
+    await page.keyboard.press(command.key);
+  }
+  
+  return successResponse(command.id, { pressed: true });
+}
+
+async function handleScreenshot(
+  command: ScreenshotCommand,
+  browser: BrowserManager
+): Promise<Response<ScreenshotData>> {
+  const page = browser.getPage();
+  
+  const options: Parameters<Page['screenshot']>[0] = {
+    fullPage: command.fullPage,
+    type: command.format ?? 'png',
+  };
+  
+  if (command.format === 'jpeg' && command.quality !== undefined) {
+    options.quality = command.quality;
+  }
+  
+  let target: Page | ReturnType<Page['locator']> = page;
+  if (command.selector) {
+    target = page.locator(command.selector);
+  }
+  
+  if (command.path) {
+    await target.screenshot({ ...options, path: command.path });
+    return successResponse(command.id, { path: command.path });
+  } else {
+    const buffer = await target.screenshot(options);
+    return successResponse(command.id, { base64: buffer.toString('base64') });
+  }
+}
+
+async function handleSnapshot(
+  command: Command & { action: 'snapshot' },
+  browser: BrowserManager
+): Promise<Response<SnapshotData>> {
+  const page = browser.getPage();
+  // Use ariaSnapshot which returns a string representation of the accessibility tree
+  const snapshot = await page.locator(':root').ariaSnapshot();
+  
+  return successResponse(command.id, {
+    snapshot: snapshot ?? 'Empty page',
+  });
+}
+
+async function handleEvaluate(
+  command: EvaluateCommand,
+  browser: BrowserManager
+): Promise<Response<EvaluateData>> {
+  const page = browser.getPage();
+  
+  // Evaluate the script directly as a string expression
+  const result = await page.evaluate(command.script);
+  
+  return successResponse(command.id, { result });
+}
+
+async function handleWait(
+  command: WaitCommand,
+  browser: BrowserManager
+): Promise<Response> {
+  const page = browser.getPage();
+  
+  if (command.selector) {
+    await page.waitForSelector(command.selector, {
+      state: command.state ?? 'visible',
+      timeout: command.timeout,
+    });
+  } else if (command.timeout) {
+    await page.waitForTimeout(command.timeout);
+  } else {
+    // Default: wait for load state
+    await page.waitForLoadState('load');
+  }
+  
+  return successResponse(command.id, { waited: true });
+}
+
+async function handleScroll(
+  command: ScrollCommand,
+  browser: BrowserManager
+): Promise<Response> {
+  const page = browser.getPage();
+  
+  if (command.selector) {
+    const element = page.locator(command.selector);
+    await element.scrollIntoViewIfNeeded();
+    
+    if (command.x !== undefined || command.y !== undefined) {
+      await element.evaluate((el, { x, y }) => {
+        el.scrollBy(x ?? 0, y ?? 0);
+      }, { x: command.x, y: command.y });
+    }
+  } else {
+    // Scroll the page
+    let deltaX = command.x ?? 0;
+    let deltaY = command.y ?? 0;
+    
+    if (command.direction) {
+      const amount = command.amount ?? 100;
+      switch (command.direction) {
+        case 'up':
+          deltaY = -amount;
+          break;
+        case 'down':
+          deltaY = amount;
+          break;
+        case 'left':
+          deltaX = -amount;
+          break;
+        case 'right':
+          deltaX = amount;
+          break;
+      }
+    }
+    
+    await page.evaluate(`window.scrollBy(${deltaX}, ${deltaY})`);
+  }
+  
+  return successResponse(command.id, { scrolled: true });
+}
+
+async function handleSelect(
+  command: SelectCommand,
+  browser: BrowserManager
+): Promise<Response> {
+  const page = browser.getPage();
+  const values = Array.isArray(command.values) ? command.values : [command.values];
+  
+  await page.selectOption(command.selector, values);
+  
+  return successResponse(command.id, { selected: values });
+}
+
+async function handleHover(
+  command: HoverCommand,
+  browser: BrowserManager
+): Promise<Response> {
+  const page = browser.getPage();
+  await page.hover(command.selector);
+  
+  return successResponse(command.id, { hovered: true });
+}
+
+async function handleContent(
+  command: ContentCommand,
+  browser: BrowserManager
+): Promise<Response<ContentData>> {
+  const page = browser.getPage();
+  
+  let html: string;
+  if (command.selector) {
+    html = await page.locator(command.selector).innerHTML();
+  } else {
+    html = await page.content();
+  }
+  
+  return successResponse(command.id, { html });
+}
+
+async function handleClose(
+  command: Command & { action: 'close' },
+  browser: BrowserManager
+): Promise<Response> {
+  await browser.close();
+  return successResponse(command.id, { closed: true });
+}
diff --git a/src/browser.ts b/src/browser.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fec8910
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/browser.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+import { chromium, firefox, webkit, type Browser, type BrowserContext, type Page } from 'playwright';
+import type { BrowserState, LaunchCommand } from './types.js';
+
+/**
+ * Manages the Playwright browser lifecycle
+ */
+export class BrowserManager {
+  private state: BrowserState = {
+    browser: null,
+    context: null,
+    page: null,
+  };
+
+  /**
+   * Check if browser is launched
+   */
+  isLaunched(): boolean {
+    return this.state.browser !== null;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Get the current page, throws if not launched
+   */
+  getPage(): Page {
+    if (!this.state.page) {
+      throw new Error('Browser not launched. Call launch first.');
+    }
+    return this.state.page;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Get the current browser instance
+   */
+  getBrowser(): Browser | null {
+    return this.state.browser;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Get the current context
+   */
+  getContext(): BrowserContext | null {
+    return this.state.context;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Launch the browser with the specified options
+   */
+  async launch(options: LaunchCommand): Promise<void> {
+    // Close existing browser if any
+    if (this.state.browser) {
+      await this.close();
+    }
+
+    // Select browser type
+    const browserType = options.browser ?? 'chromium';
+    const launcher = browserType === 'firefox' 
+      ? firefox 
+      : browserType === 'webkit' 
+        ? webkit 
+        : chromium;
+
+    // Launch browser
+    this.state.browser = await launcher.launch({
+      headless: options.headless ?? true,
+    });
+
+    // Create context with viewport
+    this.state.context = await this.state.browser.newContext({
+      viewport: options.viewport ?? { width: 1280, height: 720 },
+    });
+
+    // Create initial page
+    this.state.page = await this.state.context.newPage();
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Close the browser and clean up
+   */
+  async close(): Promise<void> {
+    if (this.state.page) {
+      await this.state.page.close().catch(() => {});
+      this.state.page = null;
+    }
+
+    if (this.state.context) {
+      await this.state.context.close().catch(() => {});
+      this.state.context = null;
+    }
+
+    if (this.state.browser) {
+      await this.state.browser.close().catch(() => {});
+      this.state.browser = null;
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/client.ts b/src/client.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2adba88
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/client.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,147 @@
+import * as net from 'net';
+import { spawn } from 'child_process';
+import { fileURLToPath } from 'url';
+import * as path from 'path';
+import * as fs from 'fs';
+import { getSocketPath, isDaemonRunning } from './daemon.js';
+import type { Response } from './types.js';
+
+const __dirname = path.dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
+
+let DEBUG = false;
+
+export function setDebug(enabled: boolean): void {
+  DEBUG = enabled;
+}
+
+function debug(...args: unknown[]): void {
+  if (DEBUG) {
+    console.error('[debug]', ...args);
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Wait for socket to exist
+ */
+async function waitForSocket(maxAttempts = 30): Promise<boolean> {
+  const socketPath = getSocketPath();
+  debug('Waiting for socket at', socketPath);
+  for (let i = 0; i < maxAttempts; i++) {
+    if (fs.existsSync(socketPath)) {
+      debug('Socket found after', i * 100, 'ms');
+      return true;
+    }
+    await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, 100));
+  }
+  debug('Socket not found after', maxAttempts * 100, 'ms');
+  return false;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Ensure daemon is running, start if not
+ */
+export async function ensureDaemon(): Promise<void> {
+  debug('Checking if daemon is running...');
+  if (isDaemonRunning()) {
+    debug('Daemon already running');
+    return;
+  }
+  
+  debug('Starting daemon...');
+  const daemonPath = path.join(__dirname, 'daemon.js');
+  const child = spawn(process.execPath, [daemonPath], {
+    detached: true,
+    stdio: 'ignore',
+    env: { ...process.env, VEB_DAEMON: '1' },
+  });
+  child.unref();
+  
+  // Wait for socket to be created
+  const ready = await waitForSocket();
+  if (!ready) {
+    throw new Error('Failed to start daemon');
+  }
+  
+  debug('Daemon started');
+}
+
+/**
+ * Send a command to the daemon
+ */
+export async function sendCommand(command: Record<string, unknown>): Promise<Response> {
+  const socketPath = getSocketPath();
+  debug('Sending command:', JSON.stringify(command));
+  
+  return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
+    let resolved = false;
+    let buffer = '';
+    const startTime = Date.now();
+    
+    const socket = net.createConnection(socketPath);
+    
+    socket.on('connect', () => {
+      debug('Connected to daemon, sending command...');
+      socket.write(JSON.stringify(command) + '\n');
+    });
+    
+    socket.on('data', (data) => {
+      buffer += data.toString();
+      debug('Received data:', buffer.length, 'bytes');
+      
+      // Try to parse complete JSON from buffer
+      const newlineIdx = buffer.indexOf('\n');
+      if (newlineIdx !== -1) {
+        const jsonStr = buffer.substring(0, newlineIdx);
+        try {
+          const response = JSON.parse(jsonStr) as Response;
+          debug('Response received in', Date.now() - startTime, 'ms');
+          resolved = true;
+          socket.end();
+          resolve(response);
+        } catch (e) {
+          debug('JSON parse error:', e);
+        }
+      }
+    });
+    
+    socket.on('error', (err) => {
+      debug('Socket error:', err.message);
+      if (!resolved) {
+        reject(new Error(`Connection error: ${err.message}`));
+      }
+    });
+    
+    socket.on('close', () => {
+      debug('Socket closed, resolved:', resolved, 'buffer:', buffer.length);
+      if (!resolved && buffer.trim()) {
+        try {
+          const response = JSON.parse(buffer.trim()) as Response;
+          resolve(response);
+        } catch {
+          reject(new Error('Invalid response from daemon'));
+        }
+      } else if (!resolved) {
+        reject(new Error('Connection closed without response'));
+      }
+    });
+    
+    // Timeout after 60 seconds
+    setTimeout(() => {
+      if (!resolved) {
+        debug('Command timeout after 60s');
+        socket.destroy();
+        reject(new Error('Command timeout'));
+      }
+    }, 60000);
+  });
+}
+
+/**
+ * Send a command, ensuring daemon is running first
+ */
+export async function send(command: Record<string, unknown>): Promise<Response> {
+  const startTime = Date.now();
+  await ensureDaemon();
+  debug('ensureDaemon took', Date.now() - startTime, 'ms');
+  return sendCommand(command);
+}
diff --git a/src/daemon.ts b/src/daemon.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ba1f21e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/daemon.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,161 @@
+import * as net from 'net';
+import * as fs from 'fs';
+import * as path from 'path';
+import * as os from 'os';
+import { BrowserManager } from './browser.js';
+import { parseCommand, serializeResponse, errorResponse } from './protocol.js';
+import { executeCommand } from './actions.js';
+
+const SOCKET_PATH = path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'veb.sock');
+const PID_FILE = path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'veb.pid');
+
+/**
+ * Get the socket path
+ */
+export function getSocketPath(): string {
+  return SOCKET_PATH;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Get the PID file path
+ */
+export function getPidFile(): string {
+  return PID_FILE;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Check if daemon is running
+ */
+export function isDaemonRunning(): boolean {
+  if (!fs.existsSync(PID_FILE)) return false;
+  
+  try {
+    const pid = parseInt(fs.readFileSync(PID_FILE, 'utf8').trim(), 10);
+    // Check if process exists
+    process.kill(pid, 0);
+    return true;
+  } catch {
+    // Process doesn't exist, clean up stale files
+    cleanupSocket();
+    return false;
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Clean up socket and PID file
+ */
+export function cleanupSocket(): void {
+  try {
+    if (fs.existsSync(SOCKET_PATH)) fs.unlinkSync(SOCKET_PATH);
+    if (fs.existsSync(PID_FILE)) fs.unlinkSync(PID_FILE);
+  } catch {
+    // Ignore cleanup errors
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Start the daemon server
+ */
+export async function startDaemon(): Promise<void> {
+  // Clean up any stale socket
+  cleanupSocket();
+  
+  const browser = new BrowserManager();
+  let shuttingDown = false;
+  
+  const server = net.createServer((socket) => {
+    let buffer = '';
+    
+    socket.on('data', async (data) => {
+      buffer += data.toString();
+      
+      // Process complete lines
+      while (buffer.includes('\n')) {
+        const newlineIdx = buffer.indexOf('\n');
+        const line = buffer.substring(0, newlineIdx);
+        buffer = buffer.substring(newlineIdx + 1);
+        
+        if (!line.trim()) continue;
+        
+        try {
+          const parseResult = parseCommand(line);
+          
+          if (!parseResult.success) {
+            const resp = errorResponse(parseResult.id ?? 'unknown', parseResult.error);
+            socket.write(serializeResponse(resp) + '\n');
+            continue;
+          }
+          
+          // Auto-launch browser if not already launched and this isn't a launch command
+          if (!browser.isLaunched() && parseResult.command.action !== 'launch' && parseResult.command.action !== 'close') {
+            await browser.launch({ id: 'auto', action: 'launch', headless: true });
+          }
+          
+          // Handle close command specially
+          if (parseResult.command.action === 'close') {
+            const response = await executeCommand(parseResult.command, browser);
+            socket.write(serializeResponse(response) + '\n');
+            
+            if (!shuttingDown) {
+              shuttingDown = true;
+              setTimeout(() => {
+                server.close();
+                cleanupSocket();
+                process.exit(0);
+              }, 100);
+            }
+            return;
+          }
+          
+          const response = await executeCommand(parseResult.command, browser);
+          socket.write(serializeResponse(response) + '\n');
+        } catch (err) {
+          const message = err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err);
+          socket.write(serializeResponse(errorResponse('error', message)) + '\n');
+        }
+      }
+    });
+    
+    socket.on('error', () => {
+      // Client disconnected, ignore
+    });
+  });
+  
+  // Write PID file before listening
+  fs.writeFileSync(PID_FILE, process.pid.toString());
+  
+  server.listen(SOCKET_PATH, () => {
+    // Daemon is ready
+  });
+  
+  server.on('error', (err) => {
+    console.error('Server error:', err);
+    cleanupSocket();
+    process.exit(1);
+  });
+  
+  // Handle shutdown signals
+  const shutdown = async () => {
+    if (shuttingDown) return;
+    shuttingDown = true;
+    await browser.close();
+    server.close();
+    cleanupSocket();
+    process.exit(0);
+  };
+  
+  process.on('SIGINT', shutdown);
+  process.on('SIGTERM', shutdown);
+  
+  // Keep process alive
+  process.stdin.resume();
+}
+
+// Run daemon if this is the entry point
+if (process.argv[1]?.endsWith('daemon.js') || process.env.VEB_DAEMON === '1') {
+  startDaemon().catch((err) => {
+    console.error('Daemon error:', err);
+    cleanupSocket();
+    process.exit(1);
+  });
+}
diff --git a/src/index.ts b/src/index.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..90cbac2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/index.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,316 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env node
+import { send, setDebug } from './client.js';
+import type { Response } from './types.js';
+
+// ANSI colors
+const colors = {
+  reset: '\x1b[0m',
+  bold: '\x1b[1m',
+  dim: '\x1b[2m',
+  red: '\x1b[31m',
+  green: '\x1b[32m',
+  yellow: '\x1b[33m',
+  blue: '\x1b[34m',
+  magenta: '\x1b[35m',
+  cyan: '\x1b[36m',
+};
+
+const c = (color: keyof typeof colors, text: string) => `${colors[color]}${text}${colors.reset}`;
+
+function printHelp(): void {
+  console.log(`
+${c('bold', 'veb')} - headless browser automation for agents and humans
+
+${c('yellow', 'Usage:')}
+  veb <command> [options]
+
+${c('yellow', 'Commands:')}
+  ${c('cyan', 'open')} <url>                    Open a URL in the browser
+  ${c('cyan', 'click')} <selector>              Click an element
+  ${c('cyan', 'type')} <selector> <text>        Type text into an element
+  ${c('cyan', 'press')} <key>                   Press a keyboard key
+  ${c('cyan', 'wait')} <selector|text|ms>       Wait for element, text, or duration
+  ${c('cyan', 'screenshot')} [path]             Take a screenshot
+  ${c('cyan', 'snapshot')}                      Get accessibility tree (for agents)
+  ${c('cyan', 'extract')} <selector>            Extract element content
+  ${c('cyan', 'eval')} <script>                 Evaluate JavaScript
+  ${c('cyan', 'scroll')} <direction> [amount]   Scroll the page
+  ${c('cyan', 'hover')} <selector>              Hover over an element
+  ${c('cyan', 'select')} <selector> <value>     Select dropdown option
+  ${c('cyan', 'close')}                         Close browser and stop daemon
+
+${c('yellow', 'Options:')}
+  --json                        Output raw JSON (for agents)
+  --selector, -s <sel>          Target specific element
+  --text, -t                    Wait for text instead of selector
+  --full, -f                    Full page screenshot
+  --debug                       Show debug output
+  --help, -h                    Show help
+
+${c('yellow', 'Examples:')}
+  veb open https://example.com
+  veb click "#submit-btn"
+  veb type "#email" "hello@example.com"
+  veb wait --text "Welcome"
+  veb wait 2000
+  veb screenshot --full page.png
+  veb extract "table" --json
+  veb eval "document.title"
+  veb scroll down 500
+`);
+}
+
+function genId(): string {
+  return Math.random().toString(36).slice(2, 10);
+}
+
+function printResponse(response: Response, jsonMode: boolean): void {
+  if (jsonMode) {
+    console.log(JSON.stringify(response));
+    return;
+  }
+  
+  if (!response.success) {
+    console.error(c('red', '✗ Error:'), response.error);
+    process.exit(1);
+  }
+  
+  const data = response.data as Record<string, unknown>;
+  
+  // Pretty print based on data type
+  if (data.url && data.title) {
+    console.log(c('green', '✓'), c('bold', data.title as string));
+    console.log(c('dim', `  ${data.url}`));
+  } else if (data.html) {
+    console.log(data.html);
+  } else if (data.snapshot) {
+    console.log(data.snapshot);
+  } else if (data.result !== undefined) {
+    const result = data.result;
+    if (typeof result === 'object') {
+      console.log(JSON.stringify(result, null, 2));
+    } else {
+      console.log(result);
+    }
+  } else if (data.base64) {
+    console.log(c('green', '✓'), 'Screenshot captured (base64)');
+    console.log(c('dim', `  ${(data.base64 as string).length} bytes`));
+  } else if (data.path) {
+    console.log(c('green', '✓'), `Saved to ${data.path}`);
+  } else if (data.clicked || data.typed || data.pressed || data.hovered || data.scrolled || data.selected || data.waited) {
+    console.log(c('green', '✓'), 'Done');
+  } else if (data.launched) {
+    console.log(c('green', '✓'), 'Browser launched');
+  } else if (data.closed) {
+    console.log(c('green', '✓'), 'Browser closed');
+  } else {
+    console.log(c('green', '✓'), JSON.stringify(data));
+  }
+}
+
+async function main(): Promise<void> {
+  const args = process.argv.slice(2);
+  
+  // Enable debug mode early
+  const debugMode = args.includes('--debug');
+  if (debugMode) {
+    setDebug(true);
+  }
+  
+  if (args.length === 0 || args.includes('--help') || args.includes('-h')) {
+    printHelp();
+    process.exit(0);
+  }
+  
+  const jsonMode = args.includes('--json');
+  const fullPage = args.includes('--full') || args.includes('-f');
+  const textMode = args.includes('--text') || args.includes('-t');
+  
+  // Remove flag args and their values
+  const cleanArgs = args.filter((a, i) => {
+    if (a.startsWith('-')) return false;
+    // Check if previous arg was a flag that takes a value
+    const prev = args[i - 1];
+    if (prev === '--selector' || prev === '-s') return false;
+    return true;
+  });
+  const command = cleanArgs[0];
+  
+  // Find --selector value
+  let selectorOverride: string | undefined;
+  const sIdx = args.findIndex(a => a === '--selector' || a === '-s');
+  if (sIdx !== -1 && args[sIdx + 1]) {
+    selectorOverride = args[sIdx + 1];
+  }
+  
+  const id = genId();
+  let cmd: Record<string, unknown>;
+  
+  switch (command) {
+    case 'open':
+    case 'goto':
+    case 'navigate': {
+      const url = cleanArgs[1];
+      if (!url) {
+        console.error(c('red', 'Error:'), 'URL required');
+        process.exit(1);
+      }
+      // Auto-add https if missing
+      const fullUrl = url.startsWith('http') ? url : `https://${url}`;
+      cmd = { id, action: 'navigate', url: fullUrl };
+      break;
+    }
+    
+    case 'click': {
+      const selector = cleanArgs[1];
+      if (!selector) {
+        console.error(c('red', 'Error:'), 'Selector required');
+        process.exit(1);
+      }
+      cmd = { id, action: 'click', selector };
+      break;
+    }
+    
+    case 'type': {
+      const selector = cleanArgs[1];
+      const text = cleanArgs.slice(2).join(' ');
+      if (!selector || !text) {
+        console.error(c('red', 'Error:'), 'Selector and text required');
+        process.exit(1);
+      }
+      cmd = { id, action: 'type', selector, text, clear: true };
+      break;
+    }
+    
+    case 'press': {
+      const key = cleanArgs[1];
+      if (!key) {
+        console.error(c('red', 'Error:'), 'Key required');
+        process.exit(1);
+      }
+      cmd = { id, action: 'press', key, selector: selectorOverride };
+      break;
+    }
+    
+    case 'wait': {
+      const target = cleanArgs[1];
+      if (!target) {
+        console.error(c('red', 'Error:'), 'Selector, text, or milliseconds required');
+        process.exit(1);
+      }
+      
+      // Check if it's a number (milliseconds)
+      const ms = parseInt(target, 10);
+      if (!isNaN(ms)) {
+        cmd = { id, action: 'wait', timeout: ms };
+      } else if (textMode) {
+        // Wait for text - use evaluate to check for text
+        cmd = { id, action: 'wait', selector: `text=${target}` };
+      } else {
+        cmd = { id, action: 'wait', selector: target };
+      }
+      break;
+    }
+    
+    case 'screenshot':
+    case 'ss': {
+      const pathArg = cleanArgs[1];
+      cmd = { 
+        id, 
+        action: 'screenshot', 
+        path: pathArg,
+        fullPage,
+        selector: selectorOverride,
+      };
+      break;
+    }
+    
+    case 'snapshot':
+    case 'aria':
+    case 'a11y': {
+      cmd = { id, action: 'snapshot' };
+      break;
+    }
+    
+    case 'extract':
+    case 'html':
+    case 'content': {
+      const selector = cleanArgs[1] || selectorOverride;
+      cmd = { id, action: 'content', selector };
+      break;
+    }
+    
+    case 'eval':
+    case 'js': {
+      const script = cleanArgs.slice(1).join(' ');
+      if (!script) {
+        console.error(c('red', 'Error:'), 'Script required');
+        process.exit(1);
+      }
+      cmd = { id, action: 'evaluate', script };
+      break;
+    }
+    
+    case 'scroll': {
+      const dirOrAmount = cleanArgs[1];
+      const amount = parseInt(cleanArgs[2], 10) || 300;
+      
+      if (['up', 'down', 'left', 'right'].includes(dirOrAmount)) {
+        cmd = { id, action: 'scroll', direction: dirOrAmount, amount, selector: selectorOverride };
+      } else {
+        const y = parseInt(dirOrAmount, 10) || 300;
+        cmd = { id, action: 'scroll', y, selector: selectorOverride };
+      }
+      break;
+    }
+    
+    case 'hover': {
+      const selector = cleanArgs[1];
+      if (!selector) {
+        console.error(c('red', 'Error:'), 'Selector required');
+        process.exit(1);
+      }
+      cmd = { id, action: 'hover', selector };
+      break;
+    }
+    
+    case 'select': {
+      const selector = cleanArgs[1];
+      const value = cleanArgs[2];
+      if (!selector || !value) {
+        console.error(c('red', 'Error:'), 'Selector and value required');
+        process.exit(1);
+      }
+      cmd = { id, action: 'select', selector, values: value };
+      break;
+    }
+    
+    case 'close':
+    case 'quit':
+    case 'exit': {
+      cmd = { id, action: 'close' };
+      break;
+    }
+    
+    default:
+      console.error(c('red', 'Error:'), `Unknown command: ${command}`);
+      console.error(c('dim', 'Run veb --help for usage'));
+      process.exit(1);
+  }
+  
+  try {
+    const response = await send(cmd);
+    printResponse(response, jsonMode);
+    process.exit(0);
+  } catch (error) {
+    const message = error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error);
+    if (jsonMode) {
+      console.log(JSON.stringify({ id, success: false, error: message }));
+    } else {
+      console.error(c('red', '✗ Error:'), message);
+    }
+    process.exit(1);
+  }
+}
+
+main();
diff --git a/src/protocol.ts b/src/protocol.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..75349ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/protocol.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,176 @@
+import { z } from 'zod';
+import type { Command, Response } from './types.js';
+
+// Base schema for all commands
+const baseCommandSchema = z.object({
+  id: z.string(),
+  action: z.string(),
+});
+
+// Individual action schemas
+const launchSchema = baseCommandSchema.extend({
+  action: z.literal('launch'),
+  headless: z.boolean().optional(),
+  viewport: z.object({
+    width: z.number().positive(),
+    height: z.number().positive(),
+  }).optional(),
+  browser: z.enum(['chromium', 'firefox', 'webkit']).optional(),
+});
+
+const navigateSchema = baseCommandSchema.extend({
+  action: z.literal('navigate'),
+  url: z.string().min(1),
+  waitUntil: z.enum(['load', 'domcontentloaded', 'networkidle']).optional(),
+});
+
+const clickSchema = baseCommandSchema.extend({
+  action: z.literal('click'),
+  selector: z.string().min(1),
+  button: z.enum(['left', 'right', 'middle']).optional(),
+  clickCount: z.number().positive().optional(),
+  delay: z.number().nonnegative().optional(),
+});
+
+const typeSchema = baseCommandSchema.extend({
+  action: z.literal('type'),
+  selector: z.string().min(1),
+  text: z.string(),
+  delay: z.number().nonnegative().optional(),
+  clear: z.boolean().optional(),
+});
+
+const pressSchema = baseCommandSchema.extend({
+  action: z.literal('press'),
+  key: z.string().min(1),
+  selector: z.string().min(1).optional(),
+});
+
+const screenshotSchema = baseCommandSchema.extend({
+  action: z.literal('screenshot'),
+  path: z.string().optional(),
+  fullPage: z.boolean().optional(),
+  selector: z.string().min(1).optional(),
+  format: z.enum(['png', 'jpeg']).optional(),
+  quality: z.number().min(0).max(100).optional(),
+});
+
+const snapshotSchema = baseCommandSchema.extend({
+  action: z.literal('snapshot'),
+});
+
+const evaluateSchema = baseCommandSchema.extend({
+  action: z.literal('evaluate'),
+  script: z.string().min(1),
+  args: z.array(z.unknown()).optional(),
+});
+
+const waitSchema = baseCommandSchema.extend({
+  action: z.literal('wait'),
+  selector: z.string().min(1).optional(),
+  timeout: z.number().positive().optional(),
+  state: z.enum(['attached', 'detached', 'visible', 'hidden']).optional(),
+});
+
+const scrollSchema = baseCommandSchema.extend({
+  action: z.literal('scroll'),
+  selector: z.string().min(1).optional(),
+  x: z.number().optional(),
+  y: z.number().optional(),
+  direction: z.enum(['up', 'down', 'left', 'right']).optional(),
+  amount: z.number().positive().optional(),
+});
+
+const selectSchema = baseCommandSchema.extend({
+  action: z.literal('select'),
+  selector: z.string().min(1),
+  values: z.union([z.string(), z.array(z.string())]),
+});
+
+const hoverSchema = baseCommandSchema.extend({
+  action: z.literal('hover'),
+  selector: z.string().min(1),
+});
+
+const contentSchema = baseCommandSchema.extend({
+  action: z.literal('content'),
+  selector: z.string().min(1).optional(),
+});
+
+const closeSchema = baseCommandSchema.extend({
+  action: z.literal('close'),
+});
+
+// Union schema for all commands
+const commandSchema = z.discriminatedUnion('action', [
+  launchSchema,
+  navigateSchema,
+  clickSchema,
+  typeSchema,
+  pressSchema,
+  screenshotSchema,
+  snapshotSchema,
+  evaluateSchema,
+  waitSchema,
+  scrollSchema,
+  selectSchema,
+  hoverSchema,
+  contentSchema,
+  closeSchema,
+]);
+
+// Parse result type
+export type ParseResult = 
+  | { success: true; command: Command }
+  | { success: false; error: string; id?: string };
+
+/**
+ * Parse a JSON string into a validated command
+ */
+export function parseCommand(input: string): ParseResult {
+  // First, try to parse JSON
+  let json: unknown;
+  try {
+    json = JSON.parse(input);
+  } catch {
+    return { success: false, error: 'Invalid JSON' };
+  }
+
+  // Extract id for error responses if possible
+  const id = typeof json === 'object' && json !== null && 'id' in json 
+    ? String((json as { id: unknown }).id) 
+    : undefined;
+
+  // Validate against schema
+  const result = commandSchema.safeParse(json);
+  
+  if (!result.success) {
+    const errors = result.error.errors
+      .map(e => `${e.path.join('.')}: ${e.message}`)
+      .join(', ');
+    return { success: false, error: `Validation error: ${errors}`, id };
+  }
+
+  return { success: true, command: result.data as Command };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Create a success response
+ */
+export function successResponse<T>(id: string, data: T): Response<T> {
+  return { id, success: true, data };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Create an error response
+ */
+export function errorResponse(id: string, error: string): Response {
+  return { id, success: false, error };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Serialize a response to JSON string
+ */
+export function serializeResponse(response: Response): string {
+  return JSON.stringify(response);
+}
diff --git a/src/types.ts b/src/types.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..663a956
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/types.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,160 @@
+import type { Page, Browser, BrowserContext } from 'playwright';
+
+// Base command structure
+export interface BaseCommand {
+  id: string;
+  action: string;
+}
+
+// Action-specific command types
+export interface LaunchCommand extends BaseCommand {
+  action: 'launch';
+  headless?: boolean;
+  viewport?: { width: number; height: number };
+  browser?: 'chromium' | 'firefox' | 'webkit';
+}
+
+export interface NavigateCommand extends BaseCommand {
+  action: 'navigate';
+  url: string;
+  waitUntil?: 'load' | 'domcontentloaded' | 'networkidle';
+}
+
+export interface ClickCommand extends BaseCommand {
+  action: 'click';
+  selector: string;
+  button?: 'left' | 'right' | 'middle';
+  clickCount?: number;
+  delay?: number;
+}
+
+export interface TypeCommand extends BaseCommand {
+  action: 'type';
+  selector: string;
+  text: string;
+  delay?: number;
+  clear?: boolean;
+}
+
+export interface PressCommand extends BaseCommand {
+  action: 'press';
+  key: string;
+  selector?: string;
+}
+
+export interface ScreenshotCommand extends BaseCommand {
+  action: 'screenshot';
+  path?: string;
+  fullPage?: boolean;
+  selector?: string;
+  format?: 'png' | 'jpeg';
+  quality?: number;
+}
+
+export interface SnapshotCommand extends BaseCommand {
+  action: 'snapshot';
+}
+
+export interface EvaluateCommand extends BaseCommand {
+  action: 'evaluate';
+  script: string;
+  args?: unknown[];
+}
+
+export interface WaitCommand extends BaseCommand {
+  action: 'wait';
+  selector?: string;
+  timeout?: number;
+  state?: 'attached' | 'detached' | 'visible' | 'hidden';
+}
+
+export interface ScrollCommand extends BaseCommand {
+  action: 'scroll';
+  selector?: string;
+  x?: number;
+  y?: number;
+  direction?: 'up' | 'down' | 'left' | 'right';
+  amount?: number;
+}
+
+export interface SelectCommand extends BaseCommand {
+  action: 'select';
+  selector: string;
+  values: string | string[];
+}
+
+export interface HoverCommand extends BaseCommand {
+  action: 'hover';
+  selector: string;
+}
+
+export interface ContentCommand extends BaseCommand {
+  action: 'content';
+  selector?: string;
+}
+
+export interface CloseCommand extends BaseCommand {
+  action: 'close';
+}
+
+// Union of all command types
+export type Command =
+  | LaunchCommand
+  | NavigateCommand
+  | ClickCommand
+  | TypeCommand
+  | PressCommand
+  | ScreenshotCommand
+  | SnapshotCommand
+  | EvaluateCommand
+  | WaitCommand
+  | ScrollCommand
+  | SelectCommand
+  | HoverCommand
+  | ContentCommand
+  | CloseCommand;
+
+// Response types
+export interface SuccessResponse<T = unknown> {
+  id: string;
+  success: true;
+  data: T;
+}
+
+export interface ErrorResponse {
+  id: string;
+  success: false;
+  error: string;
+}
+
+export type Response<T = unknown> = SuccessResponse<T> | ErrorResponse;
+
+// Data types for specific responses
+export interface NavigateData {
+  url: string;
+  title: string;
+}
+
+export interface ScreenshotData {
+  path?: string;
+  base64?: string;
+}
+
+export interface SnapshotData {
+  snapshot: string;
+}
+
+export interface EvaluateData {
+  result: unknown;
+}
+
+export interface ContentData {
+  html: string;
+}
+
+// Browser state
+export interface BrowserState {
+  browser: Browser | null;
+  context: BrowserContext | null;
+  page: Page | null;
+}
diff --git a/tsconfig.json b/tsconfig.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..710db5d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tsconfig.json
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+{
+  "compilerOptions": {
+    "target": "ES2022",
+    "module": "NodeNext",
+    "moduleResolution": "NodeNext",
+    "lib": ["ES2022"],
+    "outDir": "./dist",
+    "rootDir": "./src",
+    "strict": true,
+    "esModuleInterop": true,
+    "skipLibCheck": true,
+    "forceConsistentCasingInFileNames": true,
+    "declaration": true,
+    "declarationMap": true,
+    "sourceMap": true
+  },
+  "include": ["src/**/*"],
+  "exclude": ["node_modules", "dist"]
+}