Public Browser

Public Browser

Public Browser is a powerful tool that enables seamless interaction with Chrome through direct communication via the Chrome DevTools Protocol (CDP). It allows Claude Code and Cursor to maintain a connection with your real, logged-in Chrome profile, leading to significant efficiency gains. It features:

• A reduction of 30% in token usage, 25% lower costs, and 41% fewer tool calls compared to Playwright MCP.
• A 40% speed increase in task completion without compromising on performance.
• Compact tool definitions, which have become 34% smaller since version 2.10.4.

Built to optimize automated tests, Public Browser supports multi-tab sessions, direct CDP communication, and provides robust accessibility-tree references. It is perfect for those seeking alternatives to middleware like Playwright MCP or Browser MCP.

Key Features

• Direct Chrome Interaction: Communicates directly with Chrome using CDP, eliminating dependencies like Playwright or Chrome extension bridges.
• Efficiency: Designed to handle multiple tasks with fewer resources, making it cost-effective and efficient for automation.
• A11y-Tree References: Uses a stable reference map that survives DOM changes, enhancing the reliability of interactions during automated tasks.
• Multi-Step Plan Execution: Supports complex workflows with its server-side plan executor, allowing for flexible and dynamic task executions.

Installation and Quick Start

Installing Public Browser requires a simple command via the respective environment (Claude Code, Cursor, or Cline). After setup, users can initiate Chrome effortlessly and perform tasks such as:

// A sample command to begin a session
claude mcp add --scope user public-browser npx -y public-browser@latest

After installation, tasks can be executed with a plain prompt, illustrating how intuitive the automation process is:

Open mcp-test.second-truth.com, read the page, and fill the contact form with Name "Test User" and Email "test@example.com".

Example Scripts

The Script API allows for deterministic browser automation directly from Python, offering a robust alternative for developers looking to create scripts without AI in the loop. Here’s a brief look at how automation can be performed:

from publicbrowser import Chrome

chrome = Chrome.connect()

with chrome.new_page() as page:
    page.navigate("https://example.com")
    page.fill({"#email": "example@example.com", "#password": "password123"})
    page.click("button[type=submit]")

Access and Session Management

Public Browser allows for the use of existing Chrome profiles, enabling the preservation of cookies, extensions, and logins. Users can easily switch between profiles or create isolated sessions tailored to their testing needs.

Conclusion

Public Browser represents a streamlined solution for automating browser tasks through a direct connection to Chrome. Its efficiency, reliability, and flexibility in handling various automation tasks provide developers and testers with a modern tool to enhance their workflow, making it an excellent alternative in the landscape of browser automation.