Add live chat to VitePress. DeskCrew support widget
DeskCrew adds AI live chat, an AI support chatbot and ticketing to VitePress docs through the official @deskcrew/vitepress package: one deskcrewHead() entry in the config, applied to every page. A single head entry works too.
An official npm package
Install @deskcrew/vitepress and spread one helper into your head array. Every docs page gets the widget, with no theme or layout edits.
AI drafts, humans approve
The AI drafts replies grounded in the knowledge base you publish, and every draft waits in an approval queue until a human sends it.
Every conversation is a ticket
Widget chats, emails, and board posts land in one dashboard with full history; visitors who leave get their answer by email.
Free plan, no card
The free plan includes the chat widget, a public knowledge base, and ticketing. Start free and upgrade only when you outgrow it.
How to install DeskCrew on VitePress
Install the official package: npm install -D @deskcrew/vitepress.
In .vitepress/config.js (or .ts): import { deskcrewHead } from "@deskcrew/vitepress", then spread it into the head array: head: [...deskcrewHead({ widgetKey: "pub_YOUR_KEY", board: "your-board" })].
Build and deploy. Every generated docs page carries the widget, so readers ask in place instead of leaving to find a contact form. Your key and board slug are on the dashboard’s Install page.
<script src="https://deskcrew.io/desk.js" data-key="pub_YOUR_KEY" data-board="your-board" defer></script>
pub_YOUR_KEY and your-board are placeholders. Your real widget key and board slug are in your DeskCrew dashboard under Install (free signup, no card).
Note: Prefer no dependency? Add the tag below to the head array of .vitepress/config.js as a script entry instead.
DeskCrew vs the usual suspects
| DeskCrew | Tidio | Crisp | Zendesk | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Yes. Free plan, no card | Yes (limited) | Yes (basic) | Free trial only |
| AI included | Yes. AI drafts on every plan, human-approved | Paid add-on | Higher plans | Paid add-on |
| Setup | About 2 minutes. One script tag or plugin | Minutes. Script tag | Minutes. Script tag | Longer. Full workspace setup |
| Price floor | $0 free plan · paid from $29/mo | Free plan; paid tiers above | Free plan; paid tiers above | Per-agent pricing, no free plan |
Competitor cells generalize their public pricing pages. Always check current plans.
DeskCrew has a free plan with no card. Chat widget, public knowledge base, and ticketing included. Every new workspace starts with full Team features free for 14 days, and paid plans start at $29/mo. Full details on the pricing page.
FAQ. add live chat to VitePress
Last updated: September 2026
How do I add live chat to VitePress docs?
Add the widget as a script entry in the head array in .vitepress/config.js. VitePress renders every head entry into every page, so one config change covers the whole documentation site.
Does the head array support data attributes?
Yes. Each entry is a tag name plus an attributes object, so data-key and data-board render onto the script tag exactly as you configure them.
Should I use a custom theme component instead?
Not for this. A theme component ties the widget to Vue’s lifecycle, while the head entry puts it in the document itself, which is simpler and survives navigation.
Will it work with the default theme’s dark mode?
Yes. The widget renders inside its own Shadow DOM with its own styling, so it is unaffected by the docs theme and cannot inherit or clash with its CSS.
Is there a free live chat widget for VitePress?
Yes. The DeskCrew free plan includes the chat widget, ticketing, a public help center, and a monthly AI answer allowance, with no credit card.