What is the Manifest plugin used for?

The Manifest plugin is used to set up real-time observability for AI agents, allowing users to monitor costs, tokens, messages, and performance.

How do I obtain an API key for the Manifest plugin?

You can obtain an API key by creating an account at https://app.manifest.build, then connecting your agent to generate the key.

What should I do if I encounter a connection error?

If you encounter a connection error, check the endpoint URL for accuracy, ensure the gateway is stopped during setup, and verify that the API key is correctly formatted.

Can I use a custom endpoint with the Manifest plugin?

Yes, you can specify a custom endpoint if you are self-hosting; otherwise, the default endpoint will be used automatically.

What are the best practices for using the Manifest plugin?

Best practices include stopping the gateway before configuration changes, using the default endpoint unless necessary, and checking the gateway logs for troubleshooting.

Manifest Setup

Name: Manifest Setup
Availability: InStock
Author: davila7

Free

Streamline observability for your AI agents.

by davila730.2k stars on davila7/claude-code-templates

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Updated Aug 10, 2026

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Free · Opens the source repo

What Manifest Setup does

The Manifest Setup skill enables developers and designers to implement real-time observability for their AI agents. By integrating the Manifest plugin, users can monitor key metrics such as costs, tokens, messages, and overall performance through OTLP telemetry. This skill is essential for anyone looking to ensure their AI agents are operating efficiently and transparently, providing insights that can drive optimization and troubleshooting efforts.

Setting up the Manifest plugin involves a series of straightforward steps, starting with stopping the gateway to prevent hot-reload issues. Users will then install the plugin, obtain an API key from the Manifest platform, and configure the plugin with the provided key. The process is designed to be clear and methodical, ensuring that even those new to observability can follow along without confusion.

Once installed, users can verify that the observability pipeline is active by checking the logs. This verification step is crucial for confirming that the setup has been successful and that the agent is properly connected to the Manifest service. Additionally, the skill includes troubleshooting guidance for common issues such as invalid API keys or connection problems, making it a reliable choice for maintaining agent performance.

Overall, the Manifest Setup skill is tailored for developers and designers who need to implement observability in their AI applications. Whether you are configuring telemetry for the first time or troubleshooting existing setups, this skill provides the tools necessary for effective monitoring and management of AI agents.

When to use it

Use this skill when you need to configure telemetry for an AI agent or troubleshoot connection issues with the Manifest plugin.

When not to use it

This skill is not suitable for users who do not require observability or telemetry for their AI agents, or those who are not using the Manifest service.

What you can build with it

Setting Up New AI Agent

When launching a new AI agent, use this skill to ensure observability is configured from the start.

Troubleshooting Connection Issues

If your agent fails to connect to the Manifest service, this skill provides troubleshooting steps to resolve the problem.

Monitoring Performance Metrics

Utilize the skill to monitor real-time performance metrics of your AI agents, ensuring they operate efficiently.

How to install Manifest Setup

View source

1. Install with the skills CLI

npx skills add davila7/claude-code-templates/manifest --agent claude-code

2. Or install it manually

Download the skill folder and drop it into ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, or .claude/skills/ to scope it to one repo. Restart Claude Code so it picks up the new skill.

Anthropic's agentic coding CLI, and the reference implementation of Agent Skills. Drop a skill folder into ~/.claude/skills and Claude Code loads it automatically whenever a task matches the skill's description. Claude Code docs

Inside SKILL.md

Written by davila7

Manifest Setup

Set up real-time observability for your AI agents with the Manifest plugin. Monitors costs, tokens, messages, and performance via OTLP telemetry.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

Setting up observability or telemetry for an AI agent
Connecting an agent to Manifest for cost and performance monitoring
Configuring a Manifest API key or custom endpoint
Troubleshooting Manifest plugin connection issues
Verifying the Manifest observability pipeline is running

Setup Instructions

Follow these steps in order. Do not skip ahead.

Step 1 — Stop the Gateway

Stop the gateway first to avoid hot-reload issues during configuration.

claude gateway stop

Step 2 — Install the Plugin

claude plugins install manifest

If it fails, check that the CLI is installed and available in the PATH.

Step 3 — Get an API Key

Ask the user:

To connect your agent, you need a Manifest API key:

Go to https://app.manifest.build and create an account (or sign in)

Click "Connect Agent" to create a new agent

Copy the API key that starts with mnfst_

Paste it here

Wait for a key starting with mnfst_. If the key doesn't match, tell the user the format looks incorrect and ask them to try again.

Step 4 — Configure the Plugin

claude config set plugins.entries.manifest.config.apiKey "USER_API_KEY"

Replace USER_API_KEY with the actual key the user provided.

If the user has a custom endpoint (self-hosted):

claude config set plugins.entries.manifest.config.endpoint "USER_ENDPOINT"

The default endpoint (https://app.manifest.build/api/v1/otlp) is used automatically if none is specified.

Step 5 — Start the Gateway

claude gateway install

Step 6 — Verify

Wait 3 seconds for the gateway to fully start, then check the logs:

grep "manifest" ~/.claude/logs/gateway.log | tail -5

Look for:

[manifest] Observability pipeline active

If it appears, tell the user setup is complete. If not, check the error messages and troubleshoot.

Troubleshooting

Error	Fix
Missing apiKey	Re-run Step 4 with the correct key
Invalid apiKey format	Key must start with `mnfst_`
Connection refused	Endpoint is unreachable — check the URL or ask if self-hosting
Duplicate OTel registration	Disable the conflicting built-in plugin: `claude plugins disable diagnostics-otel`

Best Practices

Always stop the gateway before making configuration changes
The default endpoint works for most users — only change it if self-hosting
API keys always start with mnfst_ — any other format is invalid
Never log or echo the API key in plain text after configuration
Check gateway logs first when debugging any plugin issue

Frequently asked questions about Manifest Setup

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