Browser Control

by eyalzh

12 stars

700 downloads

Not rated

GitHub

About

Enables browser automation through a Firefox extension for tab management, webpage content extraction, history searching, and text highlighting via secure WebSocket communication.

Details

Author: eyalzh
Repository: eyalzh/browser-control-mcp
GitHub stars: 12
Downloads: 700
License: MIT License
Categories: Productivity, Automation, Other, Developer Tools, Design, Workplace, AI, Search, Communication, Frontend
Tags: #web, #mobile

The MCP server supports the following tools:
- Open or close tabs
- Get the list of opened tabs
- Create tab groups with name and color
- Reorder opened tabs
- Read and search the browser's history
- Read a webpage's text content and links (requires user consent)
- Find and highlight text in a browser tab (requires user consent)

Setting up with Highlight

This MCP is not yet compatible with Highlight’s one-click setup. However, you can still use it with Highlight by following these steps:

Download and install Highlight from highlightai.com/download
Navigate to the plugins tab and select "Add Custom Plugin"
Configure the plugin with the settings below
Plugin Name Browser Control

Command (node, npx, python, etc.) node
Arguments
- Argument 1 /path/to/repo/mcp-server/dist/server.js
Environment
- EXTENSION_PORT 8089
- EXTENSION_SECRET <secret_on_firefox_extension_options_page>
Please refer to the README for specific instructions on how to obtain API keys or other required environment variables.
Enable "Start Automatically" if you want the plugin to start when Highlight launches

Setting up with Cursor

Open Cursor's settings
Navigate to the MCP section
Click "Add new Global MCP server"
Copy and paste the configuration below based on your operating system

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "browser control": {
            "env": {
                "EXTENSION_PORT": "8089",
                "EXTENSION_SECRET": "<secret_on_firefox_extension_options_page>"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/repo/mcp-server/dist/server.js"
            ],
            "command": "node"
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "browser control": {
            "env": {
                "EXTENSION_PORT": "8089",
                "EXTENSION_SECRET": "<secret_on_firefox_extension_options_page>"
            },
            "args": [
                "/c",
                "node",
                "/path/to/repo/mcp-server/dist/server.js"
            ],
            "command": "cmd"
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "browser control": {
            "env": {
                "EXTENSION_PORT": "8089",
                "EXTENSION_SECRET": "<secret_on_firefox_extension_options_page>"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/repo/mcp-server/dist/server.js"
            ],
            "command": "node"
        }
    }
}

Setting up with Claude Desktop

Open Claude Desktop's settings
Go to the Integrations tab
Click "Add MCP Server"
Use the configuration below based on your operating system

Note: Make sure Claude Desktop is running before attempting to connect.

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "browser control": {
            "env": {
                "EXTENSION_PORT": "8089",
                "EXTENSION_SECRET": "<secret_on_firefox_extension_options_page>"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/repo/mcp-server/dist/server.js"
            ],
            "command": "node"
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "browser control": {
            "env": {
                "EXTENSION_PORT": "8089",
                "EXTENSION_SECRET": "<secret_on_firefox_extension_options_page>"
            },
            "args": [
                "/c",
                "node",
                "/path/to/repo/mcp-server/dist/server.js"
            ],
            "command": "cmd"
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "browser control": {
            "env": {
                "EXTENSION_PORT": "8089",
                "EXTENSION_SECRET": "<secret_on_firefox_extension_options_page>"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/repo/mcp-server/dist/server.js"
            ],
            "command": "node"
        }
    }
}

Setting up with Windsurf

Open Windsurf's preferences
Go to the Integrations section
Click "Add MCP Integration"
Use the configuration below based on your operating system

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "browser control": {
            "env": {
                "EXTENSION_PORT": "8089",
                "EXTENSION_SECRET": "<secret_on_firefox_extension_options_page>"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/repo/mcp-server/dist/server.js"
            ],
            "command": "node"
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "browser control": {
            "env": {
                "EXTENSION_PORT": "8089",
                "EXTENSION_SECRET": "<secret_on_firefox_extension_options_page>"
            },
            "args": [
                "/c",
                "node",
                "/path/to/repo/mcp-server/dist/server.js"
            ],
            "command": "cmd"
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "browser control": {
            "env": {
                "EXTENSION_PORT": "8089",
                "EXTENSION_SECRET": "<secret_on_firefox_extension_options_page>"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/repo/mcp-server/dist/server.js"
            ],
            "command": "node"
        }
    }
}

Setting up with Cline

Open Cline's settings
Navigate to the Integrations section
Click "Add MCP Server"
Copy and paste the configuration below based on your operating system

Note: Make sure to restart Cline after adding the configuration.

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "browser control": {
            "env": {
                "EXTENSION_PORT": "8089",
                "EXTENSION_SECRET": "<secret_on_firefox_extension_options_page>"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/repo/mcp-server/dist/server.js"
            ],
            "command": "node"
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "browser control": {
            "env": {
                "EXTENSION_PORT": "8089",
                "EXTENSION_SECRET": "<secret_on_firefox_extension_options_page>"
            },
            "args": [
                "/c",
                "node",
                "/path/to/repo/mcp-server/dist/server.js"
            ],
            "command": "cmd"
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "browser control": {
            "env": {
                "EXTENSION_PORT": "8089",
                "EXTENSION_SECRET": "<secret_on_firefox_extension_options_page>"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/repo/mcp-server/dist/server.js"
            ],
            "command": "node"
        }
    }
}

Setting up with Goose

Open Goose's preferences
Go to the Integrations tab
Select "MCP Servers"
Click "Add New Server"
Use the configuration below based on your operating system

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "browser control": {
            "env": {
                "EXTENSION_PORT": "8089",
                "EXTENSION_SECRET": "<secret_on_firefox_extension_options_page>"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/repo/mcp-server/dist/server.js"
            ],
            "command": "node"
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "browser control": {
            "env": {
                "EXTENSION_PORT": "8089",
                "EXTENSION_SECRET": "<secret_on_firefox_extension_options_page>"
            },
            "args": [
                "/c",
                "node",
                "/path/to/repo/mcp-server/dist/server.js"
            ],
            "command": "cmd"
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "browser control": {
            "env": {
                "EXTENSION_PORT": "8089",
                "EXTENSION_SECRET": "<secret_on_firefox_extension_options_page>"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/repo/mcp-server/dist/server.js"
            ],
            "command": "node"
        }
    }
}

From the repository

The Firefox extension / add-on is available on addons.mozilla.org. You can also download and open the latest pre-built version from this GitHub repository: browser-control-mcp-1.5.0.xpi. Complete the installation based on the instructions in the "Manage extension" page, which will open automatically after installation.

The add-on's "Manage extension" page will include a link to the Claude Desktop DXT file. You can also download it here: [mcp-server-v1.5.1.dxt](

`open_tab`

Open a new tab in the browser.

`close_tab`

Close the currently active tab in the browser.

`list_opened_tabs`

Get the list of currently opened tabs in the browser.

`create_tab_group`

Create a new tab group with a specified name and color.

`reorder_tabs`

Reorder the currently opened tabs.

`read_browser_history`

Read and search the browser's history.

`read_webpage_content`

Read the text content and links of a webpage (requires user consent).

`highlight_text`

Find and highlight specific text in a browser tab (requires user consent).

Claude Desktop / Cursor

Paste into your MCP client config file to install this server.

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "browser control": {
            "env": {
                "EXTENSION_PORT": "8089",
                "EXTENSION_SECRET": "<secret_on_firefox_extension_options_page>"
            },
            "args": [
                "/path/to/repo/mcp-server/dist/server.js"
            ],
            "command": "node"
        }
    }
}

Linux

{
    "env": {
        "EXTENSION_PORT": "8089",
        "EXTENSION_SECRET": "<secret_on_firefox_extension_options_page>"
    },
    "args": [
        "/path/to/repo/mcp-server/dist/server.js"
    ],
    "command": "node"
}

Macos

{
    "env": {
        "EXTENSION_PORT": "8089",
        "EXTENSION_SECRET": "<secret_on_firefox_extension_options_page>"
    },
    "args": [
        "/path/to/repo/mcp-server/dist/server.js"
    ],
    "command": "node"
}

Windows

{
    "env": {
        "EXTENSION_PORT": "8089",
        "EXTENSION_SECRET": "<secret_on_firefox_extension_options_page>"
    },
    "args": [
        "/c",
        "node",
        "/path/to/repo/mcp-server/dist/server.js"
    ],
    "command": "cmd"
}

Enables AI agents to control a local browser, manage tabs, and conduct research via a browser extension.

An MCP server paired with a Firefox browser extension that provides AI assistants with access to tab management, browsing history, and webpage text content.

The MCP server supports the following tools:

- Open or close tabs
- Get the list of opened tabs
- Create tab groups with name and color
- Reorder opened tabs
- Read and search the browser's history
- Read a webpage's text content and links (requires user consent)
- Find and highlight text in a browser tab (requires user consent)

- "Close all non-work-related tabs in my browser."
- "Group all development related tabs in my browser into a new group called 'Development'."
- "Rearrange tabs in my browser in an order that makes sense."
- "Close all tabs in my browser that haven't been accessed within the past 24 hours"

- "Help me find an article in my browser history about the Milford track in NZ."
- "Open all the articles about AI that I visited during the last week, up to 10 articles, avoid duplications."

- "Open hackernews in my browser, then open the top story, read it, also read the comments. Do the comments agree with the story?"
- "In my browser, use Google Scholar to search for papers about L-theanine in the last 3 years. Open the 3 most cited papers. Read them and summarize them for me."
- "Use Google search in my browser to look for flower shops. Open the 10 most relevant results. Show me a table of each flower shop with location and opening hours."

Comparison to web automation MCP servers

The MCP server and Firefox extension combo is designed to be more secure than web automation MCP servers, enabling safer use with the user's personal browser.

- It does not support web page modification, page interactions, or arbitrary scripting.
- Reading webpage content requires the user's explicit consent in the browser for each domain. This is enforced at the extension's manifest level.
- It uses a local-only connection with a shared secret between the MCP server and extension.
- No remote data collection or tracking.
- It provides an extension-side audit log for tool calls and tool enable/disable configuration.
- The extension includes no runtime third-party dependencies.

Important note: Browser Control MCP is still experimental. Use at your own risk. You should practice caution as with any other MCP server and authorize/monitor tool calls carefully.

Option 1: Install the Firefox and Claude Desktop extensions

The Firefox extension / add-on isavailable on addons.mozilla.org. You can also download and open the latest pre-built version from this GitHub repository:browser-control-mcp-1.5.0.xpi. Complete the installation based on the instructions in the "Manage extension" page, which will open automatically after installation.

The add-on's "Manage extension" page will include a link to the Claude Desktop DXT file. You can also download it here:mcp-server-v1.5.1.dxt. After downloading the file, open it or drag it into Claude Desktop's settings window. Make sure to enable the DXT extension after installing it. This will only work with the latest versions of Claude Desktop. If you wish to install the MCP server locally, see the MCP configuration below.

To build from code, clone this repository, then run the following commands in the main repository directory to build both the MCP server and the browser extension.

To install the extension on Firefox as a Temporary Add-on:
- Typeabout:debuggingin the Firefox URL bar
- Click on "This Firefox"
- click on "Load Temporary Add-on..."
- Select themanifest.jsonfile under thefirefox-extensionfolder in this project
- The extension's preferences page will open. Copy the secret key to your clipboard. It will be used to configure the MCP server.

Alternatively, to install a permanent add-on, you can install the Browser Control MCP on addons.mozilla.organd then configure the MCP Server as detailed below.

If you prefer not to run the extension on your personal Firefox browser, an alternative is to download a separate Firefox instance (such as Firefox Developer Edition, available at https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/developer/).

After installing the browser extension, add the following configuration to your mcpServers configuration (e.g.claude_desktop_config.jsonfor Claude Desktop):

{ "mcpServers": { "browser-control": { "command": "node", "args": [ "/path/to/repo/mcp-server/dist/server.js" ], "env": { "EXTENSION_SECRET": "<secret_on_firefox_extension_options_page>", "EXTENSION_PORT": "8089" } } } }

Replace/path/to/repowith the correct path.

Set the EXTENSION_SECRET to the value shown on the extension's preferences page in Firefox (you can access it atabout:addons). You can also set the EXTENSION_PORT environment variable to specify the port that the MCP server will use to communicate with the extension (default is 8089).

It might take a few seconds for the MCP server to connect to the extension.

Alternatively, you can use a Docker-based configuration. To do so, build the mcp-server Docker image:

and use the following mcpServers configuration:

{ "mcpServers": { "browser-control": { "command": "docker", "args": [ "run", "--rm", "-i", "-p", "127.0.0.1:8089:8089", "-e", "EXTENSION_SECRET=<secret_from_extension>", "-e", "CONTAINERIZED=true", "browser-control-mcp" ] } } }

Interact with and control your web browser via a browser extension.

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Details

Jump to

Setting up with Highlight

From the repository

open_tab

close_tab

list_opened_tabs

create_tab_group

reorder_tabs

read_browser_history

read_webpage_content

highlight_text

Claude Desktop / Cursor

Linux

Macos

Windows

Comparison to web automation MCP servers

Option 1: Install the Firefox and Claude Desktop extensions

Install

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`open_tab`

`close_tab`

`list_opened_tabs`

`create_tab_group`

`reorder_tabs`

`read_browser_history`

`read_webpage_content`

`highlight_text`