@darbotlabs/darbot-browser-mcp
v1.3.0
Published
Darbot Browser - framework for 52 AI-driven browser tools with session state support and VS Code GitHub Copilot agent mode integration
Downloads
151
Maintainers
Readme
Darbot Browser MCP
![]()
Your Autonomous Browser Companion
Darbot Browser is a framework for autonomous web automation. This tool enables AI models to interact with UI through structured accessibility snapshots, delivering autonomous browsing without requiring vision models. Optimized for Microsoft Edge with comprehensive session state support.
Key Features
- Fast and lightweight - Uses accessibility tree, not pixel-based input
- DarbotLM framework - No vision models needed, operates purely on structured data
- Deterministic - Avoids ambiguity common with screenshot-based approaches
- Session States - Save and restore complete browser sessions with Edge profile context
- 52 Autonomous Tools - Comprehensive autonomous browser capabilities
- Autonomous Crawling - BFS strategy with memory, guardrails, and reporting
- DarbotLabsMemory System - State tracking and deduplication with darbot-memory-mcp integration
- HTML Reports - Comprehensive crawl reports with screenshots and statistics
- Multi-Platform - Available as NPM package, VS Code extension, NuGet package, and browser extension
Requirements
- Node.js 23 or newer
- VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, Claude Desktop or any other MCP client
- Microsoft Edge (recommended) or Chrome/Firefox/WebKit
Installation Options
Darbot Browser MCP is available in multiple package formats:
NPM Package
# Install globally
npm install -g @darbotlabs/darbot-browser-mcp
# Or use with npx (recommended)
npx @darbotlabs/darbot-browser-mcp@latestVS Code Extension
Install the "Darbot Browser MCP" extension from the VS Code marketplace or search for darbotlabs.darbot-browser-mcp.
The extension automatically configures the MCP server when installed - just enable MCP in VS Code settings and start the server!
Quick Setup:
- Install the extension from VS Code marketplace
- The extension will automatically prompt you to enable MCP and configure the server
- Use Command Palette: "Darbot Browser MCP: Start Server"
- Start chatting with GitHub Copilot using browser automation tools!
NuGet Package (.NET)
# Install for .NET projects
dotnet add package DarbotLabs.Browser.MCPBrowser Extension
Install the Browser MCP Bridge extension from the Chrome Web Store to share browser tabs with the MCP server.
Why Choose Darbot Browser MCP?
| Traditional Browser Automation | Darbot Browser MCP | | ----------------------------- | -------------------- | | ERROR Pixel-based, brittle selectors | AI-friendly accessibility snapshots | | ERROR Requires vision models | Pure structured data approach | | ERROR Complex setup and maintenance | Simple NPM install, ready in seconds | | ERROR Browser-specific code | Universal MCP protocol | | ERROR No session management | Advanced autonomous session states |
Complete Autonomous Toolkit (52 Tools)
browser_navigate- Autonomously navigate to any URLbrowser_click- Autonomous intelligent element clickingbrowser_type- Autonomous smart text input with submit optionsbrowser_snapshot- AI-optimized autonomous accessibility snapshotsbrowser_wait_for- Autonomous intelligent waiting conditions
browser_start_autonomous_crawl- Start intelligent BFS crawling with memory and reportingbrowser_configure_memory- Configure memory system with darbot-memory-mcp integration- Built-in guardrail system for safe autonomous operation
- Comprehensive HTML reporting with screenshots and statistics
browser_save_profile- Save complete browser session states with Edge profile contextbrowser_switch_profile- Restore saved session statesbrowser_list_profiles- List all saved session states with Edge/workspace contextbrowser_delete_profile- Delete session states from storage
browser_take_screenshot- Autonomous high-quality screenshotsbrowser_pdf_save- Autonomous PDF generation from pagesbrowser_file_upload- Autonomous file upload handling
browser_tab_new- Autonomously open new tabsbrowser_tab_list- Autonomously get all open tabsbrowser_tab_select- Autonomously switch between tabsbrowser_tab_close- Autonomous clean tab management
browser_generate_playwright_test- Autonomously auto-generate test codebrowser_console_messages- Autonomous debug with console accessbrowser_network_requests- Autonomous network activity monitoring
Getting Started
The fastest way to get started is with the VS Code extension, which automatically configures everything for you. For other clients, you'll need to manually configure the MCP server.
VS Code (Automatic Setup)
- Install the VS Code Extension
- Extension auto-configures MCP settings
- Start the server via Command Palette
- Use with GitHub Copilot Chat!
Manual Configuration (Other Clients)
For Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf, etc., add this configuration:
{
"mcpServers": {
"browser": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"@darbotlabs/darbot-browser-mcp@latest"
]
}
}
}Quick Install Buttons
Recommended: Use the VS Code Extension for automatic setup!
The Darbot Browser MCP Extension automatically handles all configuration:
- Install from marketplace: Search "Darbot Browser MCP" in VS Code extensions
- Auto-configuration: Extension prompts to enable MCP and configures the server
- Start & Use: Use Command Palette → "Darbot Browser MCP: Start Server"
- Chat with Copilot: Ask GitHub Copilot to "browse to example.com"
Manual CLI installation (if you prefer):
# For VS Code
code --add-mcp '{"name":"browser","command":"npx","args":["@darbotlabs/darbot-browser-mcp@latest"]}'After installation, the Browser MCP server will be available for use with your GitHub Copilot agent in VS Code.
Click the button to install:
Or install manually:
Go to Cursor Settings -> MCP -> Add new MCP Server. Name to your liking, use command type with the command npx @darbotlabs/darbot-browser-mcp. You can also verify config or add command like arguments via clicking Edit.
{
"mcpServers": {
"browser": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"@darbotlabs/darbot-browser-mcp@latest"
]
}
}
}Follow Windsuff MCP documentation. Use following configuration:
{
"mcpServers": {
"browser": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"@darbotlabs/darbot-browser-mcp@latest"
]
}
}
}Follow the MCP install guide, use following configuration:
{
"mcpServers": {
"browser": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"@darbotlabs/darbot-browser-mcp@latest"
]
}
}
}Use the Claude Code CLI to add the Browser MCP server:
claude mcp add browser npx @darbotlabs/darbot-browser-mcp@latestOpen Qodo Gen chat panel in VSCode or IntelliJ → Connect more tools → + Add new MCP → Paste the following configuration:
{
"mcpServers": {
"browser": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"@darbotlabs/darbot-browser-mcp@latest"
]
}
}
}Click Save.
Configuration
Browser MCP server supports following arguments. They can be provided in the JSON configuration above, as a part of the "args" list:
> npx darbot-browser-mcp@latest --help
--allowed-origins <origins> semicolon-separated list of origins to allow the
browser to request. Default is to allow all.
--blocked-origins <origins> semicolon-separated list of origins to block the
browser from requesting. Blocklist is evaluated
before allowlist. If used without the allowlist,
requests not matching the blocklist are still
allowed.
--block-service-workers block service workers
--browser <browser> browser or chrome channel to use, possible
values: msedge, chrome, firefox, webkit.
--browser-agent <endpoint> Use browser agent (experimental).
--caps <caps> comma-separated list of capabilities to enable,
possible values: tabs, pdf, history, wait,
files, install. Default is all.
--cdp-endpoint <endpoint> CDP endpoint to connect to.
--config <path> path to the configuration file.
--device <device> device to emulate, for example: "iPhone 15"
--executable-path <path> path to the browser executable.
--headless run browser in headless mode, headed by default
--host <host> host to bind server to. Default is localhost.
Use 0.0.0.0 to bind to all interfaces.
--ignore-https-errors ignore https errors
--isolated keep the browser profile in memory, do not save
it to disk.
--image-responses <mode> whether to send image responses to the client.
Can be "allow", "omit", or "auto". Defaults to
"auto", which sends images if the client can
display them.
--no-sandbox disable the sandbox for all process types that
are normally sandboxed.
--output-dir <path> path to the directory for output files.
--port <port> port to listen on for SSE transport.
--proxy-bypass <bypass> comma-separated domains to bypass proxy, for
example ".com,chromium.org,.domain.com"
--proxy-server <proxy> specify proxy server, for example
"http://myproxy:3128" or "socks5://myproxy:8080"
--save-trace Whether to save the Playwright Trace of the
session into the output directory.
--storage-state <path> path to the storage state file for isolated
sessions.
--user-agent <ua string> specify user agent string
--user-data-dir <path> path to the user data directory. If not
specified, a temporary directory will be
created.
--viewport-size <size> specify browser viewport size in pixels, for
example "1280, 720"
--vision Run server that uses screenshots (Aria snapshots
are used by default)
--edge-profile <name> Edge profile name to use (e.g., "Profile 1",
"Default"). This is recorded in saved session
states.
--edge-profile-email <email> Email associated with the Edge profile. This is
recorded in saved session states for context.
--auto-sign-in Auto sign in with work/school account (Edge
profile preference)
--profile-switching Enable automatic profile switching based on site
(Edge profile preference)
--intranet-switch Automatically switch to work profile for
intranet sites (Edge profile preference)
--ie-mode-switch Automatically switch profile for IE mode sites
(Edge profile preference)
--default-profile <name> Default Edge profile for external links (Edge
profile preference)User profile
You can run Browser MCP with persistent profile like a regular browser (default), or in the isolated contexts for the testing sessions.
Persistent profile
All the logged in information will be stored in the persistent profile, you can delete it between sessions if you'd like to clear the offline state.
Persistent profile is located at the following locations and you can override it with the --user-data-dir argument.
# Windows
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\ms-playwright\mcp-{channel}-profile
# macOS
- ~/Library/Caches/ms-playwright/mcp-{channel}-profile
# Linux
- ~/.cache/ms-playwright/mcp-{channel}-profileIsolated
In the isolated mode, each session is started in the isolated profile. Every time you ask MCP to close the browser,
the session is closed and all the storage state for this session is lost. You can provide initial storage state
to the browser via the config's contextOptions or via the --storage-state argument. Learn more about the storage
state here.
{
"mcpServers": {
"browser": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"@darbotlabs/darbot-browser-mcp@latest",
"--isolated",
"--storage-state={path/to/storage.json}"
]
}
}
}Configuration file
The Browser MCP server can be configured using a JSON configuration file. You can specify the configuration file
using the --config command line option:
npx @darbotlabs/darbot-browser-mcp@latest --config path/to/config.json{
// Browser configuration
browser?: {
// Browser type to use (chromium, firefox, or webkit)
browserName?: 'chromium' | 'firefox' | 'webkit';
// Keep the browser profile in memory, do not save it to disk.
isolated?: boolean;
// Path to user data directory for browser profile persistence
userDataDir?: string;
// Browser launch options (see Playwright docs)
// @see https://playwright.dev/docs/api/class-browsertype#browser-type-launch
launchOptions?: {
channel?: string; // Browser channel (e.g. 'msedge')
headless?: boolean; // Run in headless mode
executablePath?: string; // Path to browser executable
// ... other Playwright launch options
};
// Browser context options
// @see https://playwright.dev/docs/api/class-browser#browser-new-context
contextOptions?: {
viewport?: { width: number, height: number };
// ... other Playwright context options
};
// CDP endpoint for connecting to existing browser
cdpEndpoint?: string;
// Remote Playwright server endpoint
remoteEndpoint?: string;
},
// Server configuration
server?: {
port?: number; // Port to listen on
host?: string; // Host to bind to (default: localhost)
},
// List of enabled capabilities
capabilities?: Array<
'core' | // Core browser automation
'tabs' | // Tab management
'pdf' | // PDF generation
'history' | // Browser history
'wait' | // Wait utilities
'files' | // File handling
'install' | // Browser installation
'testing' // Testing
>;
// Enable vision mode (screenshots instead of accessibility snapshots)
vision?: boolean;
// Directory for output files
outputDir?: string;
// Network configuration
network?: {
// List of origins to allow the browser to request. Default is to allow all. Origins matching both `allowedOrigins` and `blockedOrigins` will be blocked.
allowedOrigins?: string[];
// List of origins to block the browser to request. Origins matching both `allowedOrigins` and `blockedOrigins` will be blocked.
blockedOrigins?: string[];
};
/**
* Do not send image responses to the client.
*/
noImageResponses?: boolean;
}Standalone MCP server
When running headed browser on system w/o display or from worker processes of the IDEs,
run the MCP server from environment with the DISPLAY and pass the --port flag to enable SSE transport.
npx @darbotlabs/darbot-browser-mcp@latest --port 8931And then in MCP client config, set the url to the MCP endpoint:
{
"mcpServers": {
"playwright": {
"url": "http://localhost:8931/mcp"
}
}
}NOTE: The Docker implementation only supports headless chromium at the moment.
{
"mcpServers": {
"playwright": {
"command": "docker",
"args": ["run", "-i", "--rm", "--init", "--pull=always", "mcr.microsoft.com/playwright/mcp"]
}
}
}You can build the Docker image yourself.
docker build -t mcr.microsoft.com/playwright/mcp .import http from 'http';
import { createConnection } from '@darbotlabs/darbot-browser-mcp';
import { SSEServerTransport } from '@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/server/sse.js';
http.createServer(async (req, res) => {
// ...
// Creates a headless Browser MCP server with SSE transport
const connection = await createConnection({ browser: { launchOptions: { headless: true } } });
const transport = new SSEServerTransport('/messages', res);
await connection.sever.connect(transport);
// ...
});Tools
The tools are available in two modes:
- Snapshot Mode (default): Uses accessibility snapshots for better performance and reliability
- Vision Mode: Uses screenshots for visual-based interactions
To use Vision Mode, add the --vision flag when starting the server:
{
"mcpServers": {
"browser": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"@darbotlabs/darbot-browser-mcp@latest",
"--vision"
]
}
}
}Vision Mode works best with the computer use models that are able to interact with elements using X Y coordinate space, based on the provided screenshot.
- browser_snapshot
- Title: Autonomous page snapshot
- Description: Autonomously capture a detailed accessibility snapshot of the current page for analysis. This provides structured page content better than a screenshot.
- Parameters: None
- Read-only: true
- browser_click
- Title: Autonomous click
- Description: Autonomously perform click interactions on web page elements
- Parameters:
element(string): Human-readable element description used to obtain permission to interact with the elementref(string): Exact target element reference from the page snapshotdoubleClick(boolean, optional): Whether to perform a double click instead of a single click
- Read-only: false
- browser_drag
- Title: Autonomous drag & drop
- Description: Autonomously perform drag and drop operations between web page elements
- Parameters:
startElement(string): Human-readable source element description used to obtain the permission to interact with the elementstartRef(string): Exact source element reference from the page snapshotendElement(string): Human-readable target element description used to obtain the permission to interact with the elementendRef(string): Exact target element reference from the page snapshot
- Read-only: false
- browser_hover
- Title: Autonomous hover
- Description: Autonomously hover over specific elements on the web page
- Parameters:
element(string): Human-readable element description used to obtain permission to interact with the elementref(string): Exact target element reference from the page snapshot
- Read-only: true
- browser_type
- Title: Autonomous text input
- Description: Autonomously type text into editable elements on the web page
- Parameters:
element(string): Human-readable element description used to obtain permission to interact with the elementref(string): Exact target element reference from the page snapshottext(string): Text to type into the elementsubmit(boolean, optional): Whether to submit entered text (press Enter after)slowly(boolean, optional): Whether to type one character at a time. Useful for triggering key handlers in the page. By default entire text is filled in at once.
- Read-only: false
- browser_select_option
- Title: Autonomous dropdown selection
- Description: Autonomously select options in dropdown menus on the web page
- Parameters:
element(string): Human-readable element description used to obtain permission to interact with the elementref(string): Exact target element reference from the page snapshotvalues(array): Array of values to select in the dropdown. This can be a single value or multiple values.
- Read-only: false
- browser_press_key
- Title: Autonomous keyboard input
- Description: Autonomously press keys on the keyboard to interact with the web page
- Parameters:
key(string): Name of the key to press or a character to generate, such asArrowLeftora
- Read-only: false
- browser_wait_for
- Title: Autonomous wait conditions
- Description: Autonomously wait for specific conditions: text appearance, text disappearance, or time duration
- Parameters:
time(number, optional): The time to wait in secondstext(string, optional): The text to wait fortextGone(string, optional): The text to wait for to disappear
- Read-only: true
- browser_file_upload
- Title: Autonomous file upload
- Description: Autonomously upload one or multiple files when a file chooser dialog appears
- Parameters:
paths(array): The absolute paths to the files to upload. Can be a single file or multiple files.
- Read-only: false
- browser_handle_dialog
- Title: Autonomous dialog handling
- Description: Autonomously handle browser dialog boxes (alerts, confirmations, prompts)
- Parameters:
accept(boolean): Whether to accept the dialog.promptText(string, optional): The text of the prompt in case of a prompt dialog.
- Read-only: false
- browser_navigate
- Title: Navigate to a URL
- Description: Autonomously navigate the browser to any URL. Use this command to launch and direct the browser to websites.
- Parameters:
url(string): The URL to navigate to
- Read-only: false
- browser_navigate_back
- Title: Go back
- Description: Autonomously navigate back to the previous page in browser history
- Parameters: None
- Read-only: true
- browser_navigate_forward
- Title: Go forward
- Description: Autonomously navigate forward to the next page in browser history
- Parameters: None
- Read-only: true
- browser_take_screenshot
- Title: Autonomous screenshot capture
- Description: Autonomously take visual screenshots of the current page or specific elements. Use browser_snapshot for structured page data instead of visual screenshots.
- Parameters:
raw(boolean, optional): Whether to return without compression (in PNG format). Default is false, which returns a JPEG image.filename(string, optional): File name to save the screenshot to. Defaults topage-{timestamp}.{png|jpeg}if not specified.element(string, optional): Human-readable element description used to obtain permission to screenshot the element. If not provided, the screenshot will be taken of viewport. If element is provided, ref must be provided too.ref(string, optional): Exact target element reference from the page snapshot. If not provided, the screenshot will be taken of viewport. If ref is provided, element must be provided too.
- Read-only: true
- browser_pdf_save
- Title: Autonomous PDF generation
- Description: Autonomously save the current web page as a PDF document for archival or sharing
- Parameters:
filename(string, optional): File name to save the pdf to. Defaults topage-{timestamp}.pdfif not specified.
- Read-only: true
- browser_network_requests
- Title: Autonomous network monitoring
- Description: Autonomously capture and analyze all network requests made since page load for debugging
- Parameters: None
- Read-only: true
- browser_console_messages
- Title: Autonomous console monitoring
- Description: Autonomously retrieve all browser console messages for debugging and analysis
- Parameters: None
- Read-only: true
- browser_install
- Title: Autonomous browser installation
- Description: Autonomously install the required browser engine specified in configuration. Use this to resolve browser installation errors.
- Parameters: None
- Read-only: false
- browser_close
- Title: Autonomous browser closure
- Description: Autonomously close the browser session and terminate all operations
- Parameters: None
- Read-only: true
- browser_resize
- Title: Autonomous window resizing
- Description: Autonomously resize the browser window to specific dimensions for optimal viewing
- Parameters:
width(number): Width of the browser windowheight(number): Height of the browser window
- Read-only: true
- browser_tab_list
- Title: Autonomous tab listing
- Description: Autonomously list all open browser tabs and their current status
- Parameters: None
- Read-only: true
- browser_tab_new
- Title: Autonomous new tab creation
- Description: Autonomously open a new browser tab, optionally navigating to a specified URL
- Parameters:
url(string, optional): The URL to navigate to in the new tab. If not provided, the new tab will be blank.
- Read-only: true
- browser_tab_select
- Title: Autonomous tab selection
- Description: Autonomously select and switch to a specific browser tab by index
- Parameters:
index(number): The index of the tab to select
- Read-only: true
- browser_tab_close
- Title: Autonomous tab closure
- Description: Autonomously close a browser tab by index, or close the current tab if no index specified
- Parameters:
index(number, optional): The index of the tab to close. Closes current tab if not provided.
- Read-only: false
- browser_save_profile
- Title: Save session state
- Description: Save the current browser session state (cookies, localStorage, URL) for later restoration. Includes Edge profile and VS Code workspace context.
- Parameters:
name(string): Name for the session statedescription(string, optional): Optional description for the session state
- Read-only: false
- browser_switch_profile
- Title: Restore session state
- Description: Restore a previously saved session state, including cookies, localStorage, and navigate to the saved URL
- Parameters:
name(string): Name of the session state to restore
- Read-only: false
- browser_list_profiles
- Title: List session states
- Description: List all saved Darbot session states with their Edge profile context and workspace information
- Parameters: None
- Read-only: true
- browser_delete_profile
- Title: Delete session state
- Description: Permanently delete a saved session state from storage
- Parameters:
name(string): Name of the session state to delete
- Read-only: false
- browser_generate_playwright_test
- Title: Autonomous test generation
- Description: Autonomously generate Playwright test code for browser automation scenarios and user workflows
- Parameters:
name(string): The name of the testdescription(string): The description of the teststeps(array): The steps of the test
- Read-only: true
- browser_screen_capture
- Title: Take a screenshot
- Description: Take a screenshot of the current page
- Parameters: None
- Read-only: true
- browser_screen_move_mouse
- Title: Move mouse
- Description: Move mouse to a given position
- Parameters:
element(string): Human-readable element description used to obtain permission to interact with the elementx(number): X coordinatey(number): Y coordinate
- Read-only: true
- browser_screen_click
- Title: Click
- Description: Click left mouse button
- Parameters:
element(string): Human-readable element description used to obtain permission to interact with the elementx(number): X coordinatey(number): Y coordinate
- Read-only: false
- browser_screen_drag
- Title: Drag mouse
- Description: Drag left mouse button
- Parameters:
element(string): Human-readable element description used to obtain permission to interact with the elementstartX(number): Start X coordinatestartY(number): Start Y coordinateendX(number): End X coordinateendY(number): End Y coordinate
- Read-only: false
- browser_screen_type
- Title: Type text
- Description: Type text
- Parameters:
text(string): Text to type into the elementsubmit(boolean, optional): Whether to submit entered text (press Enter after)
- Read-only: false
- browser_press_key
- Title: Autonomous keyboard input
- Description: Autonomously press keys on the keyboard to interact with the web page
- Parameters:
key(string): Name of the key to press or a character to generate, such asArrowLeftora
- Read-only: false
- browser_wait_for
- Title: Autonomous wait conditions
- Description: Autonomously wait for specific conditions: text appearance, text disappearance, or time duration
- Parameters:
time(number, optional): The time to wait in secondstext(string, optional): The text to wait fortextGone(string, optional): The text to wait for to disappear
- Read-only: true
- browser_file_upload
- Title: Autonomous file upload
- Description: Autonomously upload one or multiple files when a file chooser dialog appears
- Parameters:
paths(array): The absolute paths to the files to upload. Can be a single file or multiple files.
- Read-only: false
- browser_handle_dialog
- Title: Autonomous dialog handling
- Description: Autonomously handle browser dialog boxes (alerts, confirmations, prompts)
- Parameters:
accept(boolean): Whether to accept the dialog.promptText(string, optional): The text of the prompt in case of a prompt dialog.
- Read-only: false
Package Formats
NPM Package
- Name:
@darbotlabs/darbot-browser-mcp - Installation:
npm install -g @darbotlabs/darbot-browser-mcp - Usage:
npx @darbotlabs/darbot-browser-mcp@latest
VS Code Extension
- Name: Darbot Browser MCP
- Publisher: darbotlabs
- Installation: Search for "Darbot Browser MCP" in VS Code Extensions marketplace
- Features: Start/stop MCP server, status monitoring, configuration management
NuGet Package (.NET)
- Name:
DarbotLabs.Browser.MCP - Installation:
dotnet add package DarbotLabs.Browser.MCP - Usage: Host the Browser MCP server in .NET applications
Browser Extension
- Name: Browser MCP Bridge
- Installation: Available in Chrome Web Store (coming soon)
- Features: Share browser tabs with MCP server via CDP bridge
Repository Structure
/vscode-extension/- VS Code extension source/dotnet/- .NET NuGet package source/extension/- Browser extension source/src/- Main MCP server source code/tests/- Test suite
Autonomous Features
For detailed information about the autonomous crawling capabilities, including memory system, BFS planner, guardrails, and reporting, see AUTONOMOUS_FEATURES.md.
Key Autonomous Capabilities:
- Intelligent BFS crawling with memory and state tracking
- Darbot-memory-mcp integration for persistent memory
- HTML report generation with screenshots and statistics
- Configurable domain filtering and safety policies
