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The Playwright MCP Chrome Extension allows you to connect to existing browser tabs and leverage your logged-in sessions and browser state. This means the AI assistant can interact with websites where you’re already logged in, using your existing cookies, sessions, and browser state.

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Prerequisites

  • Chrome, Edge, or Chromium browser

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Installation

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Step 1: Install the Extension

Install Playwright MCP Bridge from the Chrome Web Store.

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Step 2: Configure Playwright MCP Server

Add the --extension flag to your MCP server configuration: 
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "playwright-extension": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "@playwright/mcp@latest",
        "--extension"
      ]
    }
  }
}

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Usage

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Browser Tab Selection

When the LLM interacts with the browser for the first time, it will load a page where you can select which browser tab the LLM will connect to. This gives you control over which specific page the AI assistant will interact with during the session.

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Bypassing Connection Approval

By default, you need to approve each connection when the MCP server tries to connect to your browser. To bypass this approval dialog and allow automatic connections, use an authentication token.

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Using Your Authentication Token

1

Get your token

After installing the extension, click on the extension icon or navigate to the extension’s status page. Copy the PLAYWRIGHT_MCP_EXTENSION_TOKEN value displayed in the extension UI.
2

Add token to configuration

Add the token to your MCP server configuration:
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "playwright-extension": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "@playwright/mcp@latest",
        "--extension"
      ],
      "env": {
        "PLAYWRIGHT_MCP_EXTENSION_TOKEN": "your-token-here"
      }
    }
  }
}
This token is unique to your browser profile and provides secure authentication between the MCP server and the extension. Once configured, you won’t need to manually approve connections each time.

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Benefits

Use Existing Sessions

Interact with websites where you’re already logged in without separate authentication.

Access Browser State

Leverage your existing cookies, local storage, and browser configuration.

Seamless Experience

No need to set up storage state files or manage separate profiles.

Real Browser Context

Work with your actual browser tabs and their current state.

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Limitations

  • Only works with Chrome, Edge, and Chromium browsers
  • The browser configuration is ignored when using --extension mode
  • Requires manual tab selection on first connection (unless using authentication token)