kernel-mcp

name	kernel-mcp
description	manage cloud browsers, take screenshots, run playwright scripts, and manage browser profiles using kernel's MCP tools. use when the kernel MCP server is connected.

kernel MCP tools

when the kernel MCP server is connected, you have direct access to cloud browser management. create, automate, and manage browsers without writing SDK code.

tools

browser management

• create_browser — launch a cloud browser. returns session ID, CDP websocket URL, and live view URL. supports stealth, proxies, profiles, viewports, headless mode.
• get_browser / list_browsers — inspect browser sessions
• delete_browser — terminate a browser and free resources

automation

• execute_playwright_code — run playwright/typescript against a browser. page object is pre-configured. return values come back as the result.
• take_screenshot — capture the current browser state

computer use

• computer_action — execute mouse, keyboard, and screenshot actions on a browser session. supports click, move, type, press keys, scroll, drag, screenshots. actions can be batched for lower latency. always include a screenshot as the last action to see the result.

shell access

• exec_command — run shell commands inside a browser VM. returns stdout, stderr, exit code. use for reading files, checking DNS, testing connectivity, running custom scripts inside the browser environment.

profiles

• setup_profile — create or update a browser profile with a guided live session
• list_profiles / delete_profile — manage saved profiles

browser pools

• manage_browser_pools — manage pools of pre-warmed browser instances for fast acquisition. create pools with a target size, acquire browsers instantly from the pool, release them back when done.

proxies

• manage_proxies — create and manage proxy configurations. supports datacenter, ISP, residential, mobile, and custom proxies with geo-targeting (country, state, city).

extensions

• manage_extensions — list and manage uploaded browser extensions.

apps

• list_apps — list deployed kernel apps
• invoke_action — execute an action on a deployed app
• get_deployment / list_deployments — check deployment status
• get_invocation — check action results

docs

• search_docs — search kernel documentation

prompts

• kernel-concepts — explains kernel platform concepts. use when you need background on how kernel works.
• debug-browser-session — helps debug browser session issues. use when a session is failing or behaving unexpectedly.

common workflows

browse a website

1. create_browser with stealth: true if the site has bot detection
2. execute_playwright_code to navigate and interact
3. take_screenshot to verify
4. delete_browser to clean up

execute playwright code

the page object is already in scope:

await page.goto("https://news.ycombinator.com");
const titles = await page.$$eval(".titleline > a", els =>
  els.slice(0, 10).map(e => e.textContent)
);
return titles;

computer use (CUA)

use computer_action for OS-level browser control — mouse, keyboard, screenshots:

1. computer_action: screenshot to see the current state
2. computer_action: click_mouse at coordinates to interact
3. computer_action: type_text to enter text
4. computer_action: screenshot to verify

batch multiple actions in a single call for lower latency. always end with a screenshot.

use profiles for persistent sessions

1. setup_profile with a name — opens a live browser for you to log in manually
2. create_browser with profile_name to reuse the session
3. the browser starts already logged in

scrape with stealth

1. create_browser with stealth: true — automatically adds recaptcha solver + residential proxy
2. execute_playwright_code to extract data
3. delete_browser when done

use browser pools for high throughput

1. manage_browser_pools action=create to set up a pool with target size
2. manage_browser_pools action=acquire to get a browser instantly
3. use the browser for your task
4. manage_browser_pools action=release to return it to the pool

set up proxies

1. manage_proxies action=create with type (residential, ISP, etc.) and geo-targeting
2. create_browser with the proxy_id
3. browser traffic routes through the proxy

tips

• always call delete_browser when done — don't leave browsers running
• use stealth: true for any site with bot detection
• set timeout_seconds as a safety net (default is 60s, max is 72h)
• use headless: true for faster execution when you don't need live view
• profiles save cookies and localStorage — use them to avoid re-authenticating
• no charges for idle time — you only pay when browsers are doing work
• use computer_action for visual/coordinate-based automation, execute_playwright_code for DOM-based automation
• use exec_command to debug browser VM issues (check logs, DNS, connectivity)