Claude Browser — Chrome Extension Automation
Personal browser automation using Claude's Chrome extension MCP tools. Operates in the user's actual browser session with full access to logged-in state, cookies, and extensions.
When to Apply
Positive Triggers
- Personal browser automation (logged-in sessions)
- Form filling in authenticated web apps
- Reading content from pages requiring login
- Interactive demonstrations and walkthroughs
- GIF recording of browser workflows
- Tab management and multi-page navigation
Negative Triggers (Do NOT Apply)
- CI/CD pipeline testing (use
playwright-browser skill)
- Parallel test execution (Chrome extension is single-session)
- Headless browser operations
- Performance/load testing
Core Principles
- Single-session — one browser, one user, one context at a time
- User's actual browser — leverages existing login state and cookies
- Personal context — for tasks that require the user's authenticated session
- Always capture evidence — use
gif_creator or upload_image for visual records
- Tab-aware — always call
tabs_context_mcp at session start
Navigation + Reading
| Tool |
Purpose |
navigate |
Navigate to URL in current tab |
read_page |
Read full page content (structured) |
get_page_text |
Get plain text content |
find |
Search for text/elements on page |
Interaction
| Tool |
Purpose |
form_input |
Fill form fields |
computer |
Mouse/keyboard simulation |
javascript_tool |
Execute JavaScript in page |
Tab Management
| Tool |
Purpose |
tabs_context_mcp |
Get current tab info (CALL FIRST) |
tabs_create_mcp |
Open new tab |
resize_window |
Resize browser window |
switch_browser |
Switch between browser profiles |
Visual Capture
| Tool |
Purpose |
gif_creator |
Record multi-step interaction as GIF |
upload_image |
Capture and upload screenshot |
Console + Network
| Tool |
Purpose |
read_console_messages |
Read browser console (use pattern param to filter) |
read_network_requests |
Inspect network activity |
Shortcuts
| Tool |
Purpose |
shortcuts_list |
List available keyboard shortcuts |
shortcuts_execute |
Execute a keyboard shortcut |
Plan Management
| Tool |
Purpose |
update_plan |
Update task plan visible in Chrome extension |
Session Startup Protocol
- Call
tabs_context_mcp to discover current tabs
- Only reuse a tab if the user explicitly asks to work with it
- Otherwise create a new tab with
tabs_create_mcp
- If tab errors occur, call
tabs_context_mcp to refresh
Limitations
- Single session: Cannot run parallel browser instances
- Requires
--chrome flag: Claude Code must be launched with Chrome integration
- Not CI-suitable: Requires a visible browser with user interaction
- Dialog risk: Avoid triggering
alert(), confirm(), prompt() — they block the extension
- Tab ID scope: Never reuse tab IDs from a previous session
GIF Recording Best Practices
- Capture extra frames before and after actions for smooth playback
- Name files descriptively:
login_flow.gif, form_submission.gif
- Record the full workflow, not just the end state
Anti-Patterns
- Using Claude Chrome for CI/CD testing — use Playwright instead
- Triggering JavaScript alerts — they block all further commands
- Reusing stale tab IDs from prior sessions
- Running without calling
tabs_context_mcp first
- Attempting parallel operations in a single-session tool