feat: add support for external asset packs 🎨

[marctebo]

Summary

• Adds the ability to load furniture assets from directories outside the extension, so users can use third-party or custom pixel art packs alongside the built-in furniture
• Asset directories are persisted in ~/.pixel-agents/config.json and reloaded automatically on restart
• Directories can be added/removed from the Settings modal with live palette refresh

Demo

Screen.Recording.2026-03-21.at.9.43.51.PM.mov

How it works

When you click Add Asset Directory in Settings, a folder picker opens. Any folder containing an assets/furniture/ subdirectory with per-item manifest.json files will be merged into the furniture palette alongside the built-ins. Removing a directory refreshes the palette immediately.

See docs/external-assets.md for the full manifest format.

Using third-party asset packs

If you're looking for a great pixel art office asset pack to use with this feature, check out Office Interior Tileset (16x16) by Donarg — the original inspiration for Pixel Agents' furniture style. It's $2 and well worth supporting.

You'll need to slice the tileset into individual PNGs and write a manifest.json per item (format documented in docs/external-assets.md). An AI assistant like Claude Code can generate the manifests for you if you describe the sprites.

Files changed

File	What changed
src/configPersistence.ts	New — reads/writes ~/.pixel-agents/config.json
src/assetLoader.ts	Added mergeLoadedAssets()
src/PixelAgentsViewProvider.ts	Loads external dirs on boot, handles add/remove messages
webview-ui/src/hooks/useExtensionMessages.ts	Tracks externalAssetDirectories state
webview-ui/src/components/SettingsModal.tsx	"Add Asset Directory" button + remove list
webview-ui/src/components/BottomToolbar.tsx	Threads new prop to SettingsModal
webview-ui/src/App.tsx	Destructures and passes externalAssetDirectories
docs/external-assets.md	New — manifest format documentation

🤖 Generated with Claude Code

[pablodelucca]

This is amazing @marctebo! Do you think the system could be extended to also load characters, floors and walls? We'll review this and get it merged soon!

[florintimbuc]

@marctebo great contribution and good docs, I included some fixes in the last commit: asset ID dedup in merge, path traversal defense, and few others, please check :). Merged! Feel free to open a new PR if you'd like to contribute on Pablo's suggestion regarding loading characters, floors, and walls!

[marctebo]

Thanks so much everyone! Awesome to see this made it in. I don't see why it couldn't be extended 👀, I'll play around with it 👍 greatly appreciate the fixes!