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Instrument Integration

PostHogOfficialCreated by PostHog

  • Skill
  • Tool integration
  • Data and AI
  • MIT
  • Low risk

From the author

Add PostHog SDK integration to your application. Use when setting up PostHog for the first time or reviewing PRs that need PostHog initialization. Covers SDK installation, provider setup, and basic configuration for any framework.
— the description by PostHog

AutoGineer summary

Written by AutoGineer from the skill’s own files, not by the author

This skill provides a structured, multi-step procedure for integrating the PostHog SDK into a wide range of web, mobile, and backend frameworks. It handles the detection of the project environment, installation of the appropriate SDK, initialization, user identification, and secure configuration of environment variables. The skill emphasizes following framework-specific patterns and maintaining an analytics contract, ensuring that PostHog is implemented consistently without disrupting existing application logic.

What it does

  • Detects the project's framework, language, and package manager.
  • Installs the correct PostHog SDK for the identified platform.
  • Configures PostHog initialization and provider setup based on framework-specific references.
  • Implements user identification logic for login and signup events.
  • Manages environment variables for project tokens and host URLs securely.
  • Verifies the integration and performs minimal cleanup.

When to use it

  • When setting up PostHog in a project for the first time.
  • When reviewing pull requests that require PostHog initialization.
  • When adding analytics to a new application across supported frameworks.
  • When migrating or updating PostHog configurations in an existing codebase.

Advantages

  • Ensures consistent implementation across diverse technology stacks.
  • Prevents hardcoding of sensitive project tokens and host URLs.
  • Follows established framework-specific best practices and patterns.
  • Minimizes the risk of breaking application boot or build processes.
  • Automates the repetitive aspects of SDK setup and environment configuration.

Usage examples

“Set up PostHog in my Next.js project.”
The agent will detect the Next.js environment, install the PostHog SDK, configure the necessary provider, and set up environment variables in .env.local.
“Integrate PostHog into this Android app.”
The agent will identify the Android/Kotlin structure, initialize PostHog in the Application class, and guide the setup of local.properties for configuration.

Install

  1. Download the skill as a ZIP:

    https://mp-staging.autogineer.com/agent-skills/posthog/instrument-integration/download
  2. Unzip it into the cross-client skills folder of your project:

    mkdir -p .agents/skills && unzip instrument-integration.zip -d .agents/skills

Documentation by PostHog

Add PostHog SDK integration

Use this skill to add the PostHog SDK to an application. Use it when setting up PostHog for the first time, or reviewing PRs that need PostHog initialization. Covers SDK installation, provider setup, and basic configuration. Supports any framework or language.

Supported frameworks and languages: Next.js, React, React Router, Vue, Nuxt, TanStack Start, SvelteKit, Astro, Angular, Django, Flask, FastAPI, Laravel, PHP, Ruby on Rails, Go, Elixir, Android, iOS, Swift, Flutter, React Native, Expo, Node.js, and vanilla JavaScript.

Instructions

Follow these steps IN ORDER:

STEP 1: Analyze the codebase and detect the platform.

Look for dependency files (package.json, pubspec.yaml, Podfile, Package.swift, requirements.txt, Gemfile, composer.json, go.mod, mix.exs, etc.) to determine the framework and language.

Look for lockfiles (pnpm-lock.yaml, package-lock.json, yarn.lock, bun.lockb, go.sum, pubspec.lock, Podfile.lock, Package.resolved, mix.lock) to determine the package manager.

  • Check for existing PostHog setup. If PostHog is already installed and initialized, do not modify its code. Inform the user and skip to verification.

STEP 2: Research integration. 2.1. Find the reference file below that matches the detected framework — it is the source of truth for SDK initialization, provider setup, and configuration patterns. Read it now. 2.2. If no reference matches, fall back to your general knowledge and web search. Use posthog.com/docs as the primary search source.

STEP 3: Install the PostHog SDK.

  • Add the PostHog SDK package for the detected platform. Do not manually edit package.json — use the package manager's install command.

STEP 4: Initialize PostHog.

  • Follow the framework reference for where and how to initialize. This varies significantly by framework (e.g., instrumentation-client.ts for Next.js 15.3+, AppConfig.ready() for Django, create_app() for Flask).

  • Set up the PostHog provider/wrapper component if the framework requires one.

STEP 5: Identify users.

  • Add PostHog identify() calls on the client side during login and signup events.

  • If both frontend and backend exist, pass the client-side session and distinct ID using X-POSTHOG-DISTINCT-ID and X-POSTHOG-SESSION-ID headers to the server-side code.

STEP 6: Set up environment variables.

  • Check if the project already has PostHog environment variables configured (e.g. in .env, .env.local, or framework-specific env files). If valid values already exist, skip this step.

  • If the PostHog project token is missing, use the PostHog MCP server's projects-get tool to retrieve the project's api_token. If multiple projects are returned, ask the user which project to use. If the MCP server is not connected or not authenticated, ask the user for their PostHog project token instead.

  • For the PostHog host URL: check the projects-get MCP response for a region field — US maps to https://us.i.posthog.com, EU maps to https://eu.i.posthog.com. If the region is not available from the MCP response or from existing project configuration, ask the user: "Are you on PostHog US Cloud or EU Cloud?" Do not assume US Cloud.

  • Write these values to the appropriate env file (e.g. .env.local for Next.js, .env for others) using the framework's naming convention.

  • Reference these environment variables in code instead of hardcoding them.

STEP 7: Verify and clean up.

  • Check the project for errors. Look for type checking or build scripts in package.json.

  • Ensure any components created were actually used.

  • Run any linter or prettier-like scripts found in the package.json, but ONLY on the files you have edited or created during this session. Never run formatting or linting across the entire project's codebase.

Reference files

  • references/EXAMPLE-next-app-router.md - next-app-router example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-next-pages-router.md - next-pages-router example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-react-react-router-6.md - react-react-router-6 example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-react-react-router-7-framework.md - react-react-router-7-framework example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-react-react-router-7-data.md - react-react-router-7-data example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-react-react-router-7-declarative.md - react-react-router-7-declarative example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-react-vite.md - react-vite example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-nuxt-3-6.md - nuxt-3-6 example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-nuxt-4.md - nuxt-4 example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-vue-3.md - vue-3 example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-react-tanstack-router-file-based.md - react-tanstack-router-file-based example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-react-tanstack-router-code-based.md - react-tanstack-router-code-based example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-tanstack-start.md - tanstack-start example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-sveltekit.md - sveltekit example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-astro-static.md - astro-static example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-astro-view-transitions.md - astro-view-transitions example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-astro-ssr.md - astro-ssr example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-astro-hybrid.md - astro-hybrid example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-angular.md - angular example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-javascript-node.md - javascript-node example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-javascript-web.md - javascript-web example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-django.md - django example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-flask.md - flask example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-fastapi.md - fastapi example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-python.md - python example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-laravel.md - laravel example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-php.md - php example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-ruby-on-rails.md - ruby-on-rails example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-ruby.md - ruby example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-android.md - android example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-swift.md - swift example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-react-native.md - react-native example project code

  • references/EXAMPLE-expo.md - expo example project code

  • references/next-js.md - Next.js

  • references/react.md - React

  • references/react-router-v6.md - React router v6

  • references/react-router-v7-framework-mode.md - React router v7 framework mode (remix v3)

  • references/react-router-v7-data-mode.md - React router v7 data mode

  • references/react-router-v7-declarative-mode.md - React router v7 declarative mode

  • references/nuxt-js-3-6.md - Nuxt.js (v3.0 to v3.6)

  • references/nuxt-js.md - Nuxt.js

  • references/vue-js.md - Vue.js

  • references/tanstack-start.md - Tanstack start

  • references/svelte.md - Svelte

  • references/astro.md - Astro

  • references/angular.md - Angular

  • references/js.md - JavaScript web

  • references/posthog-js.md - PostHog JavaScript web SDK

  • references/node.md - Node.js

  • references/posthog-node.md - PostHog Node.js SDK

  • references/django.md - Django

  • references/flask.md - Flask

  • references/python.md - Python

  • references/posthog-python.md - PostHog python SDK

  • references/dotnet.md - .net

  • references/elixir.md - Elixir

  • references/go.md - Go

  • references/laravel.md - Laravel

  • references/php.md - Php

  • references/ruby-on-rails.md - Ruby on rails

  • references/ruby.md - Ruby

  • references/android.md - Android

  • references/ios.md - Ios

  • references/usage.md - Ios SDK usage

  • references/configuration.md - Ios SDK configuration

  • references/flutter.md - Flutter

  • references/react-native.md - React native

  • references/identify-users.md - Identify users

  • references/COMMANDMENTS.md - Framework-specific rules the integration must follow

Each framework reference contains SDK-specific installation, initialization, and usage patterns. Find the one matching the user's stack.

Key principles

  • Environment variables: Always use environment variables for PostHog keys. Never hardcode them.

  • Minimal changes: Add PostHog code alongside existing integrations. Don't replace or restructure existing code.

  • Match the example: Your implementation should follow the example project's patterns as closely as possible.

  • Analytics contract: Treat event names, property names, and feature flag keys as part of an analytics contract. Reuse existing names and patterns found in the project. When introducing new ones, make them clear, descriptive, and consistent with existing conventions.

Files

references/EXAMPLE-react-react-router-6.md

PostHog react-react-router-6 Example Project

Repository: https://github.com/PostHog/context-mill Path: example-apps/react-react-router-6


README.md

PostHog React Router 6 example

This is a React Router 6 example demonstrating PostHog integration with product analytics, session replay, feature flags, and error tracking.

Features

  • Product Analytics: Track user events and behaviors

  • Session Replay: Record and replay user sessions

  • Error Tracking: Capture and track errors

  • User Authentication: Demo login system with PostHog user identification

  • Client-side Tracking: Examples of client-side tracking methods

Getting Started

1. Install Dependencies
npm install
# or
pnpm install
2. Configure Environment Variables

Create a .env file in the root directory:

VITE_PUBLIC_POSTHOG_PROJECT_TOKEN=your_posthog_project_token
VITE_PUBLIC_POSTHOG_HOST=https://us.i.posthog.com

Get your PostHog project token from your PostHog project settings.

3. Run the Development Server
npm run dev
# or
pnpm dev

Open http://localhost:5173 with your browser to see the app.

Project Structure

src/
├── components/
│   └── Header.jsx           # Navigation header with auth state
├── contexts/
│   └── AuthContext.jsx      # Authentication context with PostHog integration
├── routes/
│   ├── Root.jsx             # Root route component
│   ├── Home.jsx             # Home/Login page
│   ├── Burrito.jsx          # Demo feature page with event tracking
│   └── Profile.jsx            # User profile with error tracking demo
├── main.jsx                 # App entry point with PostHog initialization
└── globals.css              # Global styles

Key Integration Points

Client-side initialization (main.jsx)
import posthog from "posthog-js"
import { PostHogProvider } from "@posthog/react"

posthog.init(import.meta.env.VITE_PUBLIC_POSTHOG_PROJECT_TOKEN, {
  api_host: import.meta.env.VITE_PUBLIC_POSTHOG_HOST,
  defaults: '2026-01-30',
});

<PostHogProvider client={posthog}>
  <RouterProvider router={router} />
</PostHogProvider>
User identification (AuthContext.jsx)

The user is identified when the user logs in on the client-side.

posthog.identify(username);
posthog.capture('user_logged_in');

The session and distinct ID can be passed to the backend by including the X-POSTHOG-SESSION-ID and X-POSTHOG-DISTINCT-ID headers.

You should use these headers in the backend to identify events.

Important: do not identify users on the server-side.

Event tracking (Burrito.jsx)
posthog?.capture('burrito_considered', {
  total_considerations: updatedUser.burritoConsiderations,
  username: user.username,
});
Error tracking

Note: The app can be wrapped with PostHogErrorBoundary from @posthog/react (imported in main.jsx) to automatically capture unhandled React errors. Manual error capture can be added to components using posthog?.captureException(err).

Learn More


.env.example

VITE_PUBLIC_POSTHOG_PROJECT_TOKEN=
VITE_PUBLIC_POSTHOG_HOST=
PROJECT_ID=

index.html

<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
  <head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8" />
    <link rel="icon" type="image/svg+xml" href="/vite.svg" />
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
    <title>react-react-router-6</title>
  </head>
  <body>
    <div id="root"></div>
    <script type="module" src="/src/main.jsx"></script>
  </body>
</html>

src/components/Header.jsx

import { Link } from 'react-router-dom';
import { useAuth } from '../contexts/AuthContext';
import { usePostHog } from '@posthog/react';

export default function Header() {
  const { user, logout } = useAuth();
  const posthog = usePostHog();

  const handleLogout = () => {
    if (user) {
      posthog.capture('user_logged_out', {
        username: user.username,
        distinct_id: user.username,
      });
    }
    logout();
  };

  return (
    <header className="header">
      <div className="header-container">
        <nav>
          <Link to="/">Home</Link>
          {user && (
            <>
              <Link to="/burrito">Burrito Consideration</Link>
              <Link to="/profile">Profile</Link>
            </>
          )}
        </nav>
        <div className="user-section">
          {user ? (
            <>
              <span>Welcome, {user.username}!</span>
              <button onClick={handleLogout} className="btn-logout">
                Logout
              </button>
            </>
          ) : (
            <span>Not logged in</span>
          )}
        </div>
      </div>
    </header>
  );
}


src/contexts/AuthContext.jsx

import { createContext, useContext, useState } from 'react';

const AuthContext = createContext(undefined);

const users = new Map();

export function AuthProvider({ children }) {
  const [user, setUser] = useState(() => {
    if (typeof window === 'undefined') return null;

    const storedUsername = localStorage.getItem('currentUser');
    if (storedUsername) {
      const existingUser = users.get(storedUsername);
      if (existingUser) {
        return existingUser;
      }
    }
    return null;
  });

  const login = async (username, password) => {
    if (!username || !password) {
      return false;
    }

    let localUser = users.get(username);
    if (!localUser) {
      localUser = { 
        username, 
        burritoConsiderations: 0 
      };
      users.set(username, localUser);
    }

    setUser(localUser);
    localStorage.setItem('currentUser', username);
    
    return true;
  };

  const logout = () => {
    setUser(null);
    localStorage.removeItem('currentUser');
  };

  const setUserState = (newUser) => {
    setUser(newUser);
    users.set(newUser.username, newUser);
  };

  return (
    <AuthContext.Provider value={{ user, login, logout, setUser: setUserState }}>
      {children}
    </AuthContext.Provider>
  );
}

export function useAuth() {
  const context = useContext(AuthContext);
  if (context === undefined) {
    throw new Error('useAuth must be used within an AuthProvider');
  }
  return context;
}


src/main.jsx

import './globals.css'

import { StrictMode } from "react";
import ReactDOM from "react-dom/client";
import { BrowserRouter, Routes, Route } from "react-router-dom";
import Root from './routes/Root';
import Home from './routes/Home';
import Burrito from './routes/Burrito';
import Profile from './routes/Profile';

import posthog from 'posthog-js'; 
import { PostHogErrorBoundary, PostHogProvider } from '@posthog/react' 

// Initialize PostHog
posthog.init(import.meta.env.VITE_PUBLIC_POSTHOG_PROJECT_TOKEN, { 
  api_host: import.meta.env.VITE_PUBLIC_POSTHOG_HOST, 
  defaults: '2026-01-30', 
}); 

const root = document.getElementById("root");
if (!root) throw new Error("Root element not found");

ReactDOM.createRoot(root).render(
  <StrictMode>
    <PostHogProvider client={posthog}> 
    <PostHogErrorBoundary>
    <BrowserRouter>
      <Routes>
        <Route path="/" element={<Root />}>
          <Route index element={<Home />} />
          <Route path="burrito" element={<Burrito />} />
          <Route path="profile" element={<Profile />} />
        </Route>
      </Routes>
    </BrowserRouter>
    </PostHogErrorBoundary>
    </PostHogProvider>
  </StrictMode>,
);

src/routes/Burrito.jsx

import { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
import { useNavigate } from 'react-router-dom';
import { useAuth } from '../contexts/AuthContext';
import { usePostHog } from '@posthog/react';

export default function BurritoPage() {
  const { user, setUser } = useAuth();
  const navigate = useNavigate();
  const [hasConsidered, setHasConsidered] = useState(false);
  const posthog = usePostHog()

  useEffect(() => {
    if (!user) {
      navigate('/');
    }
  }, [user, navigate]);

  if (!user) {
    return null;
  }

  const handleConsideration = () => {
    const updatedUser = {
      ...user,
      burritoConsiderations: user.burritoConsiderations + 1
    };
    setUser(updatedUser);
    setHasConsidered(true);
    setTimeout(() => setHasConsidered(false), 2000);
    posthog.capture('burrito_considered', {
      total_considerations: updatedUser.burritoConsiderations,
      username: user.username,
      distinct_id: user.username,
    });
  };

  return (
    <div className="container">
      <h1>Burrito consideration zone</h1>
      <p>Take a moment to truly consider the potential of burritos.</p>

      <div style={{ textAlign: 'center' }}>
        <button
          onClick={handleConsideration}
          className="btn-burrito"
        >
          I have considered the burrito potential
        </button>

        {hasConsidered && (
          <p className="success">
            Thank you for your consideration! Count: {user.burritoConsiderations}
          </p>
        )}
      </div>

      <div className="stats">
        <h3>Consideration stats</h3>
        <p>Total considerations: {user.burritoConsiderations}</p>
      </div>
    </div>
  );
}


src/routes/Home.jsx

import { useState } from 'react';
import { useAuth } from '../contexts/AuthContext';
import { usePostHog } from '@posthog/react';

export default function Home() {
  const { user, login } = useAuth();
  const posthog = usePostHog();
  const [username, setUsername] = useState('');
  const [password, setPassword] = useState('');
  const [error, setError] = useState('');

  const handleSubmit = async (e) => {
    e.preventDefault();
    setError('');

    const success = await login(username, password);
    if (success) {
      posthog.capture('user_logged_in', {
        username: username,
        distinct_id: username,
      });
      setUsername('');
      setPassword('');
    } else {
      setError('Please provide both username and password');
    }
  };

  if (user) {
    return (
      <div className="container">
        <h1>Welcome back, {user.username}!</h1>
        <p>You are logged in. Feel free to explore:</p>
        <ul>
          <li>Consider the potential of burritos</li>
          <li>View your profile and statistics</li>
        </ul>
      </div>
    );
  }

  return (
    <div className="container">
      <h1>Welcome to Burrito Consideration App</h1>
      <p>Please sign in to begin your burrito journey</p>

      <form onSubmit={handleSubmit} className="form">
        <div className="form-group">
          <label htmlFor="username">Username:</label>
          <input
            type="text"
            id="username"
            value={username}
            onChange={(e) => setUsername(e.target.value)}
            placeholder="Enter any username"
          />
        </div>

        <div className="form-group">
          <label htmlFor="password">Password:</label>
          <input
            type="password"
            id="password"
            value={password}
            onChange={(e) => setPassword(e.target.value)}
            placeholder="Enter any password"
          />
        </div>

        {error && <p className="error">{error}</p>}

        <button type="submit" className="btn-primary">Sign In</button>
      </form>

      <p className="note">
        Note: This is a demo app. Use any username and password to sign in.
      </p>
    </div>
  );
}


src/routes/Profile.jsx

import { useEffect } from 'react';
import { useNavigate } from 'react-router-dom';
import { useAuth } from '../contexts/AuthContext';

export default function ProfilePage() {
  const { user } = useAuth();
  const navigate = useNavigate();

  useEffect(() => {
    if (!user) {
      navigate('/');
    }
  }, [user, navigate]);

  if (!user) {
    return null;
  }

  return (
    <div className="container">
      <h1>User Profile</h1>

      <div className="stats">
        <h2>Your Information</h2>
        <p><strong>Username:</strong> {user.username}</p>
        <p><strong>Burrito Considerations:</strong> {user.burritoConsiderations}</p>
      </div>

      <div style={{ marginTop: '2rem' }}>
        <h3>Your Burrito Journey</h3>
        {user.burritoConsiderations === 0 ? (
          <p>You haven&apos;t considered any burritos yet. Visit the Burrito Consideration page to start!</p>
        ) : user.burritoConsiderations === 1 ? (
          <p>You&apos;ve considered the burrito potential once. Keep going!</p>
        ) : user.burritoConsiderations < 5 ? (
          <p>You&apos;re getting the hang of burrito consideration!</p>
        ) : user.burritoConsiderations < 10 ? (
          <p>You&apos;re becoming a burrito consideration expert!</p>
        ) : (
          <p>You are a true burrito consideration master! 🌯</p>
        )}
      </div>
    </div>
  );
}


src/routes/Root.jsx

import { Outlet } from "react-router-dom";
import Header from "../components/Header";
import { AuthProvider } from "../contexts/AuthContext";

export default function Root() {
  return (
    <AuthProvider>
      <Header />
      <main>
        <Outlet />
      </main>
    </AuthProvider>
  );
}


vite.config.js

import { defineConfig } from 'vite'
import react from '@vitejs/plugin-react'

// https://vite.dev/config/
export default defineConfig({
  plugins: [react()],
})

Requirements and compatibility

Works with: Claude Code, Claude apps, OpenAI Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Kiro, OpenCode, Goose, Amp, Roo Code, JetBrains Junie, Factory Droid, Devin (ex-Windsurf), Mistral Vibe, OpenHands, Letta

“Works with” means the tool reads the open Agent Skills format; a skill written for one tool may use features others lack.

Needs: Needs an MCP server, Needs Python, Needs Node.js

Security

What our scanner noticed· Low risk

  • Instructions that use the network

A static scan is not a guarantee. Skills are third-party content: review a skill before you let an agent use it.

Attribution and licence

Created by
PostHog
Publisher
PostHog (Official)
Source
PostHog/skills · skills/omnibus/instrument-integration · commit a5d30e7
Licence
MIT License (redistribution allowed)
  • LICENSE (added by AutoGineer from LICENSE)
  • ATTRIBUTION.md (written by AutoGineer)
Synced

AutoGineer is not affiliated with or endorsed by PostHog.

Download ZIP

The ZIP holds the skill’s files, its licence files and an ATTRIBUTION.md. Download instrument-integration.zip