kernel-typescript-sdk

When to Use This Skill

Use the Kernel TypeScript SDK when you need to:

• Build browser automation scripts - Create TypeScript programs that control remote browsers
• Execute server-side automation - Run Playwright code directly in the browser VM without local dependencies
• Manage browser sessions programmatically - Create, configure, and control browsers from code
• Build scalable scraping/testing tools - Use browser pools and profiles for high-volume automation
• Deploy automation as actions - Package scripts as Kernel actions for invocation via API

When NOT to use:

• For CLI commands (e.g., kernel browsers create), use the kernel-cli skill instead
• For quick one-off tasks, the CLI may be simpler than writing code

Core Concepts

SDK Architecture

The SDK is organized into resource-based modules:

• kernel.browsers - Browser session management (create, list, delete)
• kernel.browsers.playwright - Server-side Playwright execution
• kernel.browsers.computer - OS-level controls (mouse, keyboard, screenshots)
• kernel.browserPools - Pre-warmed browser pool management
• kernel.profiles - Persistent browser profiles (auth state)
• kernel.auth.connections - Managed auth (create, login, submit, follow, retrieve, delete)
• kernel.credentialProviders - External credential providers (1Password)
• kernel.proxies - Proxy configuration
• kernel.extensions - Chrome extension management
• kernel.deployments - App deployment
• kernel.invocations - Action invocation

Two Automation Approaches

1. Server-side Execution (RECOMMENDED)

• Execute Playwright code directly in browser VM using kernel.browsers.playwright.execute()
• Response accessed via response.result - MUST use return in code to get data back
• Best for: Most use cases, production automation, parallel execution, actions

2. CDP Connection (Client-side)

• Connect Playwright/Puppeteer to browser via CDP WebSocket URL (browser.cdp_ws_url)
• Code runs locally, browser runs remotely; requires local Playwright installation
• Best for: Complex debugging, specific local development needs

Patterns Reference

SDK Initialization

import { Kernel } from "@onkernel/sdk";
const kernel = new Kernel();  // Reads KERNEL_API_KEY from environment

Attribute Access: Use snake_case (e.g., browser.session_id, browser.cdp_ws_url)

Binary Data Handling

Binary data does not serialize through playwright.execute (returns undefined). Use dedicated APIs:

// For screenshots:
const response = await kernel.browsers.computer.captureScreenshot(browser.session_id);
// For files:
const response = await kernel.browsers.filesystem.readFile(browser.session_id, { path: '/path/to/file' });

// Convert to buffer:
const blob = await response.blob();
const buffer = Buffer.from(await blob.arrayBuffer());

Note: This differs from the Python SDK where binary data CAN be returned via playwright.execute as a Buffer object. In TypeScript, always use dedicated APIs.

References

• Kernel Documentation: https://www.kernel.sh/docs
• Quickstart Guide: https://www.kernel.sh/docs/quickstart
• Templates: https://www.kernel.sh/docs/reference/cli/create#available-templates
• TypeScript Types: Available in @onkernel/sdk package
• Examples: examples