Browserbase — Claude Code MCP server: what it does, how to install
Connects AI hosts to Browserbase cloud browsers to run web agents, inspect live sessions, and extract structured data without local headless Chrome.
claude mcp add --env BROWSERBASE_API_KEY=<BROWSERBASE_API_KEY> --env BROWSERBASE_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS=<BROWSERBASE_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS> --env MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH=<MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH> --transport stdio browserbase -- npx -y @mindstone/mcp-server-browserbaseWhat Browserbase does
This connector exposes 53 tools from the Browserbase cloud API to your agent. It handles remote browser sessions, autonomous web agent runs with schema validation, persistent contexts, and file downloads. Browserbase lacks webhooks, so long-running automation relies on built-in polling tools like wait_for_agent_run.
Running the package requires Node.js 20 or newer and a valid BROWSERBASE_API_KEY. Cloud sessions incur per-minute billing with a one-minute minimum, making it critical to trigger end_session as soon as the automation ends. Local file access is strictly sandboxed to MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH, while raw external web content is enclosed in untrusted-content wrappers before hitting the model.
What it helps with
- extract structured JSON data from web pages using browser agents
- open remote browser sessions with live-view debugger access
- run automated browser workflows without managing local headless drivers
- inspect step-by-step agent execution logs and replay data
Example prompts for the agent
- Create a Browserbase session and return the live-view debugger link
- End the current Browserbase session
How to install Browserbase
Platform CLI
claude mcp add --env BROWSERBASE_API_KEY=<BROWSERBASE_API_KEY> --env BROWSERBASE_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS=<BROWSERBASE_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS> --env MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH=<MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH> --transport stdio browserbase -- npx -y @mindstone/mcp-server-browserbaseReplace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
codex mcp add browserbase --env BROWSERBASE_API_KEY=<BROWSERBASE_API_KEY> --env BROWSERBASE_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS=<BROWSERBASE_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS> --env MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH=<MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH> -- npx -y @mindstone/mcp-server-browserbaseReplace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"browserbase": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@mindstone/mcp-server-browserbase"
],
"env": {
"BROWSERBASE_API_KEY": "<BROWSERBASE_API_KEY>",
"BROWSERBASE_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS": "<BROWSERBASE_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS>",
"MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH": "<MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"servers": {
"browserbase": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@mindstone/mcp-server-browserbase"
],
"env": {
"BROWSERBASE_API_KEY": "<BROWSERBASE_API_KEY>",
"BROWSERBASE_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS": "<BROWSERBASE_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS>",
"MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH": "<MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
gemini mcp add -e BROWSERBASE_API_KEY=<BROWSERBASE_API_KEY> -e BROWSERBASE_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS=<BROWSERBASE_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS> -e MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH=<MCP_WORKSPACE_PATH> browserbase npx -y @mindstone/mcp-server-browserbaseReplace <…> with your own values
Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to add an MCP server to Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, VS Code, Gemini CLI and more
Questions about Browserbase
How to install Browserbase in Claude Code?
Run this command in your terminal: claude mcp add mcp-server-browserbase -e BROWSERBASE_API_KEY=<BROWSERBASE_API_KEY> -- npx -y @mindstone/mcp-server-browserbase. Replace <BROWSERBASE_API_KEY> with your real API key.
What does Browserbase MCP server do?
It provides your local assistant with tools to control cloud browsers, delegate tasks to web agents, and collect scraped data remotely.
How does Browserbase bill browser sessions?
Every session starts a billable cloud browser charged per minute with a one-minute floor. Agents must run end_session promptly once the task is finished.
