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Connecting to Browsers

Instead of launching a new browser, connect to one that's already running.

Connect by channel name​

Connect to a running Chrome or Edge by its channel name. Navigate to chrome://inspect/#remote-debugging in the target browser and enable "Allow remote debugging for this browser instance".

Chrome remote debugging settings at chrome://inspect/#remote-debugging 
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "playwright": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@playwright/mcp@latest", "--cdp-endpoint=chrome"]
    }
  }
}

Supported channels: chrome, chrome-beta, chrome-dev, chrome-canary, msedge, msedge-beta, msedge-dev, msedge-canary.

This is the simplest way to connect — no need to start Chrome with special flags or know the debugging port.

Connect via CDP endpoint​

Connect to any Chromium-based browser with a Chrome DevTools Protocol endpoint:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "playwright": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@playwright/mcp@latest", "--cdp-endpoint=http://localhost:9222"]
    }
  }
}

Or in the config file:

{
  "browser": {
    "cdpEndpoint": "http://localhost:9222"
  }
}

Works with Chrome/Chromium started with --remote-debugging-port, Edge, Electron apps, and cloud browser services.

Connect to a Playwright server​

To attach to a browser already running behind a Playwright server, use --endpoint:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "playwright": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@playwright/mcp@latest", "--endpoint=ws://localhost:3000/"]
    }
  }
}

In the config file this is browser.remoteEndpoint.

Connect via browser extension​

The Playwright Extension connects to your existing browser tabs, reusing your logged-in sessions, cookies, and installed extensions.

Playwright Extension in Chrome Web Store
  1. Install the extension in Chrome or Edge
  2. Configure the MCP server:
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "playwright": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@playwright/mcp@latest", "--extension"]
    }
  }
}

By default the extension attaches to the last used browser profile that has the extension installed. Use --profile-dir-name to pick a specific one:

["@playwright/mcp@latest", "--extension", "--profile-dir-name=Profile 1"]

When to use extension mode​

  • SSO / 2FA — skip complex login flows by reusing your authenticated session
  • Browser extensions — interact with pages that depend on installed extensions
  • Existing tabs — automate pages you already have open