Chrome DevTools MCP

Chrome DevTools for agents

Chrome DevTools for agents (chrome-devtools-mcp) lets your coding agent (such as Antigravity, Claude, Cursor or Copilot) control and inspect a live Chrome browser. It acts as a Model-Context-Protocol (MCP) server, giving your AI coding assistant access to the full power of Chrome DevTools for reliable automation, in-depth debugging, and performance analysis. A CLI is also provided for use without MCP.

This repository publishes the Async23 fork as @async23/chrome-devtools-mcp. It includes the local visible-browser focus control and oversized full-page screenshot fixes while retaining the chrome-devtools-mcp executable name.

Tool reference | Changelog | Contributing | Troubleshooting | Design Principles

Key features

• Get performance insights: Uses Chrome DevTools to record traces and extract actionable performance insights.
• Advanced browser debugging: Analyze network requests, take screenshots and check browser console messages (with source-mapped stack traces).
• Reliable automation. Uses puppeteer to automate actions in Chrome and automatically wait for action results.

Disclaimers

chrome-devtools-mcp exposes content of the browser instance to the MCP clients allowing them to inspect, debug, and modify any data in the browser or DevTools. Avoid sharing sensitive or personal information that you don't want to share with MCP clients.

chrome-devtools-mcp officially supports Google Chrome and Chrome for Testing only. Other Chromium-based browsers may work, but this is not guaranteed, and you may encounter unexpected behavior. Use at your own discretion. We are committed to providing fixes and support for the latest version of Extended Stable Chrome.

Performance tools may send trace URLs to the Google CrUX API to fetch real-user experience data. This helps provide a holistic performance picture by presenting field data alongside lab data. This data is collected by the Chrome User Experience Report (CrUX). To disable this, run with the --no-performance-crux flag.

Usage statistics

Google collects usage statistics (such as tool invocation success rates, latency, and environment information) to improve the reliability and performance of Chrome DevTools MCP.

Data collection is enabled by default. You can opt-out by passing the --no-usage-statistics flag when starting the server:

"args": ["-y", "@async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest", "--no-usage-statistics"]

Google handles this data in accordance with the Google Privacy Policy.

Google's collection of usage statistics for Chrome DevTools MCP is independent from the Chrome browser's usage statistics. Opting out of Chrome metrics does not automatically opt you out of this tool, and vice-versa.

Collection is disabled if CHROME_DEVTOOLS_MCP_NO_USAGE_STATISTICS or CI env variables are set.

Update checks

By default, the server periodically checks the npm registry for updates and logs a notification when a newer version is available. You can disable these update checks by setting the CHROME_DEVTOOLS_MCP_NO_UPDATE_CHECKS environment variable.

Requirements

• Node.js LTS version.
• Chrome current stable version or newer.
• npm

Getting started

Add the following config to your MCP client:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "chrome-devtools": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest",
        "--browser-url=http://127.0.0.1:9222",
        "--no-emulate-focused-pages"
      ]
    }
  }
}

[!NOTE] Using @async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest ensures that your MCP client always uses the latest published version of this fork. The configuration above expects an existing debuggable Chrome instance on port 9222.

If you are interested in doing only basic browser tasks, use the --slim mode:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "chrome-devtools": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest",
        "--slim",
        "--headless"
      ]
    }
  }
}

See Slim tool reference.

MCP Client configuration

amp mcp add chrome-devtools -- npx @async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest

To use the Chrome DevTools MCP server follow the instructions from Antigravity's docs to install a custom MCP server. Add the following config to the MCP servers config:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "chrome-devtools": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest",
        "--browser-url=http://127.0.0.1:9222"
      ]
    }
  }
}

This will make the Chrome DevTools MCP server automatically connect to the browser that Antigravity is using. If you are not using port 9222, make sure to adjust accordingly.

Chrome DevTools MCP will not start the browser instance automatically using this approach because the Chrome DevTools MCP server connects to Antigravity's built-in browser. If the browser is not already running, you have to start it first by clicking the Chrome icon at the top right corner.

Install via CLI (MCP only)

Use the Claude Code CLI to add the Chrome DevTools MCP server (guide):

claude mcp add chrome-devtools --scope user npx @async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest

Install as a Plugin (MCP + Skills)

[!NOTE] If you already had Chrome DevTools MCP installed previously for Claude Code, make sure to remove it first from your installation and configuration files.

To install Chrome DevTools MCP with skills, add the marketplace registry in Claude Code:

/plugin marketplace add Async23/chrome-devtools-mcp

Then, install the plugin:

/plugin install chrome-devtools-mcp@chrome-devtools-plugins

Restart Claude Code to have the MCP server and skills load (check with /skills).

[!TIP] If the plugin installation fails with a Failed to clone repository error (e.g., HTTPS connectivity issues behind a corporate firewall), see the troubleshooting guide for workarounds, or use the CLI installation method above instead.

codex mcp add chrome-devtools -- npx @async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest

On Windows 11

Configure the Chrome install location and increase the startup timeout by updating .codex/config.toml and adding the following env and startup_timeout_ms parameters:

[mcp_servers.chrome-devtools]
command = "cmd"
args = [
    "/c",
    "npx",
    "-y",
    "@async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest",
]
env = { SystemRoot="C:\\Windows", PROGRAMFILES="C:\\Program Files" }
startup_timeout_ms = 20_000

Use the Command Code CLI to add the Chrome DevTools MCP server (MCP guide):

cmd mcp add chrome-devtools --scope user npx @async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest

Start Copilot CLI:

copilot

Start the dialog to add a new MCP server by running:

/mcp add

Configure the following fields and press CTRL+S to save the configuration:

• Server name: chrome-devtools
• Server Type: [1] Local
• Command: npx -y @async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest

Install as a Plugin (Recommended)

The easiest way to get up and running is to install chrome-devtools-mcp as an agent plugin. This bundles the MCP server and all skills together, so your agent gets both the tools and the expert guidance it needs to use them effectively.

1. Open the Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P on macOS or Ctrl+Shift+P on Windows/Linux).
2. Search for and run the Chat: Install Plugin From Source command.
3. Paste in our repository name: Async23/chrome-devtools-mcp.

That's it! Your agent is now supercharged with Chrome DevTools capabilities.

Install as an MCP Server (MCP only)

Click the button to install:

Or install manually:

Follow the VS Code MCP configuration guide using the standard config from above, or use the CLI:

For macOS and Linux:

code --add-mcp '{"name":"io.github.Async23/chrome-devtools-mcp","command":"npx","args":["-y","@async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest"],"env":{}}'

For Windows (PowerShell):

code --add-mcp '{"""name""":"""io.github.Async23/chrome-devtools-mcp""","""command""":"""npx""","""args""":["""-y""","""@async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest"""]}'

Click the button to install:

Or install manually:

Go to Cursor Settings -> MCP -> New MCP Server. Use the config provided above.

droid mcp add chrome-devtools "npx -y @async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest"

Project wide:

# Either MCP only:
gemini mcp add chrome-devtools npx @async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest
# Or as a Gemini extension (MCP+Skills):
gemini extensions install --auto-update https://github.com/Async23/chrome-devtools-mcp

Globally:

gemini mcp add -s user chrome-devtools npx @async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest

Alternatively, follow the MCP guide and use the standard config from above.

grok mcp add chrome-devtools npx @async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest

See the docs for more options

Go to Settings | Tools | AI Assistant | Model Context Protocol (MCP) -> Add. Use the config provided above. The same way chrome-devtools-mcp can be configured for JetBrains Junie in Settings | Tools | Junie | MCP Settings -> Add. Use the config provided above.

In Kiro Settings, go to Configure MCP > Open Workspace or User MCP Config > Use the configuration snippet provided above.

Or, from the IDE Activity Bar > Kiro > MCP Servers > Click Open MCP Config. Use the configuration snippet provided above.

The Chrome DevTools MCP server can be used with Katalon StudioAssist via an MCP proxy.

Step 1: Install the MCP proxy by following the MCP proxy setup guide.

Step 2: Start the Chrome DevTools MCP server with the proxy:

mcp-proxy --transport streamablehttp --port 8080 -- npx -y @async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest

Note: You may need to pick another port if 8080 is already in use.

Step 3: In Katalon Studio, add the server to StudioAssist with the following settings:

• Connection URL: http://127.0.0.1:8080/mcp
• Transport type: HTTP

Once connected, the Chrome DevTools MCP tools will be available in StudioAssist.

Add in ~/.vibe/config.toml:

[[mcp_servers]]
name = "chrome-devtools"
transport = "stdio"
command = "npx"
args = ["@async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest"]

Add the following configuration to your opencode.json file. If you don't have one, create it at ~/.config/opencode/opencode.json (guide):

{
  "$schema": "https://opencode.ai/config.json",
  "mcp": {
    "chrome-devtools": {
      "type": "local",
      "command": ["npx", "-y", "@async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest"]
    }
  }
}

In Qoder Settings, go to MCP Server > + Add > Use the configuration snippet provided above.

Alternatively, follow the MCP guide and use the standard config from above.

Install the Chrome DevTools MCP server using the Qoder CLI (guide):

Project wide:

qodercli mcp add chrome-devtools -- npx @async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest

Globally:

qodercli mcp add -s user chrome-devtools -- npx @async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest

Click the button to install:

Go to Settings | AI | Manage MCP Servers -> + Add to add an MCP Server. Use the config provided above.

Your first prompt

Enter the following prompt in your MCP Client to check if everything is working:

Check the performance of https://developers.chrome.com

Your MCP client should open the browser and record a performance trace.

[!NOTE] The MCP server will start the browser automatically once the MCP client uses a tool that requires a running browser instance. Connecting to the Chrome DevTools MCP server on its own will not automatically start the browser.

Tools

If you run into any issues, checkout our troubleshooting guide.

• Input automation (10 tools)
  • click
  • drag
  • fill
  • fill_form
  • handle_dialog
  • hover
  • press_key
  • type_text
  • upload_file
  • click_at
• Navigation automation (6 tools)
  • close_page
  • list_pages
  • navigate_page
  • new_page
  • select_page
  • wait_for

Configuration

The Chrome DevTools MCP server supports the following configuration option:

• --autoConnect/ --auto-connect If specified, automatically connects to a browser (Chrome 144+) running locally from the user data directory identified by the channel param (default channel is stable). Requires the remote debugging server to be started in the Chrome instance via chrome://inspect/#remote-debugging.

  • Type: boolean
  • Default: false

• --browserUrl/ --browser-url, -u Connect to a running, debuggable Chrome instance (e.g. http://127.0.0.1:9222). For more details see: https://github.com/ChromeDevTools/chrome-devtools-mcp#connecting-to-a-running-chrome-instance.

  • Type: string
  • Default: false

• --wsEndpoint/ --ws-endpoint, -w WebSocket endpoint to connect to a running Chrome instance (e.g., ws://127.0.0.1:9222/devtools/browser/). Alternative to --browserUrl.

  • Type: string
  • Default: false

• --wsHeaders/ --ws-headers Custom headers for WebSocket connection in JSON format (e.g., '{"Authorization":"Bearer token"}'). Only works with --wsEndpoint.

  • Type: string
  • Default: false

• --headless Whether to run in headless (no UI) mode.

  • Type: boolean
  • Default: false

• --executablePath/ --executable-path, -e Path to custom Chrome executable.

  • Type: string
  • Default: false

• --isolated If specified, creates a temporary user-data-dir that is automatically cleaned up after the browser is closed. Defaults to false.

  • boolean

Pass them via the args property in the JSON configuration. For example:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "chrome-devtools": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "@async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest",
        "--channel=canary",
        "--headless=true",
        "--isolated=true"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Connecting via WebSocket with custom headers

You can connect directly to a Chrome WebSocket endpoint and include custom headers (e.g., for authentication):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "chrome-devtools": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "@async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest",
        "--wsEndpoint=ws://127.0.0.1:9222/devtools/browser/<id>",
        "--wsHeaders={\"Authorization\":\"Bearer YOUR_TOKEN\"}"
      ]
    }
  }
}

To get the WebSocket endpoint from a running Chrome instance, visit http://127.0.0.1:9222/json/version and look for the webSocketDebuggerUrl field.

You can also run npx @async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest --help to see all available configuration options.

Concepts

Concurrent sessions

Most MCP clients start one Chrome DevTools MCP server per conversation. If your client shares a single server instance across concurrent agents or subagents, start the server with --experimentalPageIdRouting. This exposes pageId on page-scoped tools so each agent can route tool calls to the tab it is working with.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "chrome-devtools": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest",
        "--experimentalPageIdRouting"
      ]
    }
  }
}

If you run multiple independent MCP client sessions and want each session to launch its own temporary Chrome profile, also pass --isolated. This avoids sharing the default Chrome DevTools MCP user data directory between those server instances.

User data directory

chrome-devtools-mcp starts a Chrome's stable channel instance using the following user data directory:

• Linux / macOS: $HOME/.cache/chrome-devtools-mcp/chrome-profile-$CHANNEL
• Windows: %HOMEPATH%/.cache/chrome-devtools-mcp/chrome-profile-$CHANNEL

The user data directory is not cleared between runs and shared across all instances of chrome-devtools-mcp. Set the isolated option to true to use a temporary user data dir instead which will be cleared automatically after the browser is closed.

Connecting to a running Chrome instance

By default, the Chrome DevTools MCP server will start a new Chrome instance with a dedicated profile. This might not be ideal in all situations:

• If you would like to maintain the same application state when alternating between manual site testing and agent-driven testing.
• When the MCP needs to sign into a website. Some accounts may prevent sign-in when the browser is controlled via WebDriver (the default launch mechanism for the Chrome DevTools MCP server).
• If you're running your LLM inside a sandboxed environment, but you would like to connect to a Chrome instance that runs outside the sandbox.

In these cases, start Chrome first and let the Chrome DevTools MCP server connect to it. There are two ways to do so:

• Automatic connection (available in Chrome 144): best for sharing state between manual and agent-driven testing.
• Manual connection via remote debugging port: best when running inside a sandboxed environment.

Automatically connecting to a running Chrome instance

Step 1: Set up remote debugging in Chrome

In Chrome (>= M144), do the following to set up remote debugging:

1. Navigate to chrome://inspect/#remote-debugging to enable remote debugging.
2. Follow the dialog UI to allow or disallow incoming debugging connections.

Step 2: Configure Chrome DevTools MCP server to automatically connect to a running Chrome Instance

To connect the chrome-devtools-mcp server to the running Chrome instance, use --autoConnect command line argument for the MCP server.

The following code snippet is an example configuration for gemini-cli:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "chrome-devtools": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest", "--autoConnect"]
    }
  }
}

Step 3: Test your setup

Make sure your browser is running. Open gemini-cli and run the following prompt:

Check the performance of https://developers.chrome.com

[!NOTE] The autoConnect option requires the user to start Chrome. If the user has multiple active profiles, the MCP server will connect to the default profile (as determined by Chrome). The MCP server has access to all open windows for the selected profile.

The Chrome DevTools MCP server will try to connect to your running Chrome instance. It shows a dialog asking for user permission.

Clicking Allow results in the Chrome DevTools MCP server opening developers.chrome.com and taking a performance trace.

Manual connection using port forwarding

You can connect to a running Chrome instance by using the --browser-url option. This is useful if you are running the MCP server in a sandboxed environment that does not allow starting a new Chrome instance.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to connect to a running Chrome instance:

Step 1: Configure the MCP client

Add the --browser-url option to your MCP client configuration. The value of this option should be the URL of the running Chrome instance. http://127.0.0.1:9222 is a common default.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "chrome-devtools": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "@async23/chrome-devtools-mcp@latest",
        "--browser-url=http://127.0.0.1:9222"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Step 2: Start the Chrome browser

[!WARNING] Enabling the remote debugging port opens up a debugging port on the running browser instance. Any application on your machine can connect to this port and control the browser. Make sure that you are not browsing any sensitive websites while the debugging port is open.

Start the Chrome browser with the remote debugging port enabled. Make sure to close any running Chrome instances before starting a new one with the debugging port enabled. The port number you choose must be the same as the one you specified in the --browser-url option in your MCP client configuration.

For security reasons, Chrome requires you to use a non-default user data directory when enabling the remote debugging port. You can specify a custom directory using the --user-data-dir flag. This ensures that your regular browsing profile and data are not exposed to the debugging session.

macOS

/Applications/Google\ Chrome.app/Contents/MacOS/Google\ Chrome --remote-debugging-port=9222 --user-data-dir=/tmp/chrome-profile-stable

Linux

/usr/bin/google-chrome --remote-debugging-port=9222 --user-data-dir=/tmp/chrome-profile-stable

Windows

"C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --remote-debugging-port=9222 --user-data-dir="%TEMP%\chrome-profile-stable"

Step 3: Test your setup

After configuring the MCP client and starting the Chrome browser, you can test your setup by running a simple prompt in your MCP client:

Check the performance of https://developers.chrome.com

Your MCP client should connect to the running Chrome instance and receive a performance report.

If you hit VM-to-host port forwarding issues, see the “Remote debugging between virtual machine (VM) and host fails” section in docs/troubleshooting.md.

For more details on remote debugging, see the Chrome DevTools documentation.

Debugging Chrome on Android

Please consult these instructions.

Known limitations

See Troubleshooting.

Integrating as a browser subagent

If you are developing agentic tooling and want to provide an integrated browser subagent as part of your product, we recommend building on top of Chrome DevTools for agents.

For a reference implementation, see the Gemini CLI browser agent documentation.