OpenScreenShot — Claude Code MCP server: what it does, how to install
Captures full-page or viewport screenshots using your local browser or cloud rendering. Helpful for visual checks by AI agents.
claude mcp add --env CHROME_PATH=<CHROME_PATH> --env OPENSCREENSHOT_API_KEY=<OPENSCREENSHOT_API_KEY> --env OPENSCREENSHOT_CLOUD_URL=<OPENSCREENSHOT_CLOUD_URL> --transport stdio mcp -- npx -y openscreenshotWhat OpenScreenShot does
This MCP server gives AI agents a tool called capture_screenshot to render web pages. It interacts with your machine's preinstalled Chrome or Edge instances rather than packaging its own heavy binary. Captures can focus on a fixed viewport or document the full scroll height as a PNG image. Built-in redaction hides elements matching CSS selectors, pixel rectangles, or patterns like emails and secrets.
For local execution, the environment must provide a Node runtime starting from build 22.12 together with an existing desktop browser. Without an accessible Chrome or Edge installation, local capture commands fail immediately. Connecting to the optional cloud service removes local browser dependency and allows exporting into PDF or WebP.
What it helps with
- capture entire scrollable web pages inside AI chats
- test responsive designs by specifying custom viewport dimensions
- mask sensitive emails, tokens, and UI elements on captured images
- render web content to PDF or WebP using cloud endpoints
Example prompts for the agent
- Capture a full-page screenshot of
https://example.comand save it topage.png - Take a screenshot of
https://example.comat 390 by 844 resolution to inspect the mobile layout - Screenshot
https://example.comwith email addresses and#profile-cardredacted
How to install OpenScreenShot
1Platform CLI
claude mcp add --env CHROME_PATH=<CHROME_PATH> --env OPENSCREENSHOT_API_KEY=<OPENSCREENSHOT_API_KEY> --env OPENSCREENSHOT_CLOUD_URL=<OPENSCREENSHOT_CLOUD_URL> --transport stdio mcp -- npx -y openscreenshotReplace <…> with your own values
2Platform CLI: remote server
claude mcp add --transport http mcp https://cloud.openscreenshot.app/mcp1Platform CLI: remote server
codex mcp add mcp --url https://cloud.openscreenshot.app/mcp2Platform CLI
codex mcp add mcp --env CHROME_PATH=<CHROME_PATH> --env OPENSCREENSHOT_API_KEY=<OPENSCREENSHOT_API_KEY> --env OPENSCREENSHOT_CLOUD_URL=<OPENSCREENSHOT_CLOUD_URL> -- npx -y openscreenshotReplace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"mcp": {
"url": "https://cloud.openscreenshot.app/mcp"
}
}
}{
"mcpServers": {
"mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"openscreenshot"
],
"env": {
"CHROME_PATH": "<CHROME_PATH>",
"OPENSCREENSHOT_API_KEY": "<OPENSCREENSHOT_API_KEY>",
"OPENSCREENSHOT_CLOUD_URL": "<OPENSCREENSHOT_CLOUD_URL>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"servers": {
"mcp": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://cloud.openscreenshot.app/mcp"
}
}
}{
"servers": {
"mcp": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"openscreenshot"
],
"env": {
"CHROME_PATH": "<CHROME_PATH>",
"OPENSCREENSHOT_API_KEY": "<OPENSCREENSHOT_API_KEY>",
"OPENSCREENSHOT_CLOUD_URL": "<OPENSCREENSHOT_CLOUD_URL>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
1Platform CLI: remote server
gemini mcp add -t http mcp https://cloud.openscreenshot.app/mcp2Platform CLI
gemini mcp add -e CHROME_PATH=<CHROME_PATH> -e OPENSCREENSHOT_API_KEY=<OPENSCREENSHOT_API_KEY> -e OPENSCREENSHOT_CLOUD_URL=<OPENSCREENSHOT_CLOUD_URL> mcp npx -y openscreenshotReplace <…> 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 OpenScreenShot
How do I install OpenScreenShot in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add openscreenshot -e OPENSCREENSHOT_API_KEY=<OPENSCREENSHOT_API_KEY> -- npx -y openscreenshot to spin up a local instance. Alternatively, connect via HTTP using claude mcp add --transport http mcp https://cloud.openscreenshot.app/mcp.
What does OpenScreenShot do?
It provides browser automation tools for coding assistants to photograph web pages. The server can grab specific viewports or entire documents, with options to hide private data before saving.
What are the dependencies for local rendering?
You must have Node version 22.12 or later alongside an installed Chromium derivative such as Chrome or Edge. The npm package does not bundle a standalone browser executable.
