# Jsgui3 Activation Debug

> Debug jsgui3 client-side activation issues. Use when SSR renders but clicks don’t work, this.dom.el is null, or you see Missing context.map_Controls / activation failures.

- Skill: `metabench/jsgui3-activation-debug` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add metabench/jsgui3-activation-debug`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/metabench/jsgui3-activation-debug/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: metabench (https://skillmd.com/u/metabench)
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/metabench/jsgui3-activation-debug

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# jsgui3 Activation Debug

## Triggers

- "jsgui3", "clicks don’t work", "activation", "Missing context.map_Controls"

## Scope

- Diagnose “renders but no interactivity” failures
- Ensure client bundle is current when tests run in a browser
- Add a minimal check script when behavior is unclear

## Inputs

- Which UI server/route/control is affected
- Whether the issue reproduces in E2E (Puppeteer/Playwright)
- Whether client bundling is involved

## Procedure

1. Confirm this is an activation issue, not just CSS/DOM.
2. Follow the documented activation flow and look for the canonical signatures.
3. If E2E is involved, rebuild the client bundle before debugging behavior.
4. If unclear, create a minimal reproduction check under a local `checks/` folder.

## Validation

- Prefer a `node src/ui/**/checks/<name>.check.js` script that exits cleanly.
- Then run the smallest relevant Jest suite via `npm run test:by-path ...`.

## Anti-Patterns to Avoid

- **Blindly Editing CSS**: Assuming a control isn't working because of z-index or pointer-events, when the real issue is that the JS `activate()` method never fired on the client.
- **Skipping Build**: Making changes to the `jsgui3` control logic and running E2E tests without running `npm run ui:client-build` first, leading to false negatives.

## Escalation / Research request

Ask for dedicated research if:

- activation semantics differ between SSR and bundled client unexpectedly
- the issue appears to involve `context.map_Controls` lifecycle gaps across multiple controls

## References

- jsgui3 activation flow: `docs/guides/JSGUI3_UI_ARCHITECTURE_GUIDE.md`
- AGENTS.md quick anchor (“Client-side activation flow critical”)
- Fast browser verification (single browser, many scenarios): `docs/guides/PUPPETEER_SCENARIO_SUITES.md`