Headless browser automation CLI optimized for AI agents with accessibility tree snapshots and ref-based element selection
Scanned 2/12/2026
Install via CLI
openskills install sundial-org/awesome-openclaw-skills---
name: agent-browser-2
description: Headless browser automation CLI optimized for AI agents with accessibility tree snapshots and ref-based element selection
metadata: {"clawdbot":{"emoji":"🌐","requires":{"commands":["agent-browser"]},"homepage":"https://github.com/vercel-labs/agent-browser"}}
---
# Agent Browser Skill
Fast browser automation using accessibility tree snapshots with refs for deterministic element selection.
## Why Use This Over Built-in Browser Tool
**Use agent-browser when:**
- Automating multi-step workflows
- Need deterministic element selection
- Performance is critical
- Working with complex SPAs
- Need session isolation
**Use built-in browser tool when:**
- Need screenshots/PDFs for analysis
- Visual inspection required
- Browser extension integration needed
## Core Workflow
```bash
# 1. Navigate and snapshot
agent-browser open https://example.com
agent-browser snapshot -i --json
# 2. Parse refs from JSON, then interact
agent-browser click @e2
agent-browser fill @e3 "text"
# 3. Re-snapshot after page changes
agent-browser snapshot -i --json
```
## Key Commands
### Navigation
```bash
agent-browser open <url>
agent-browser back | forward | reload | close
```
### Snapshot (Always use -i --json)
```bash
agent-browser snapshot -i --json # Interactive elements, JSON output
agent-browser snapshot -i -c -d 5 --json # + compact, depth limit
agent-browser snapshot -s "#main" -i # Scope to selector
```
### Interactions (Ref-based)
```bash
agent-browser click @e2
agent-browser fill @e3 "text"
agent-browser type @e3 "text"
agent-browser hover @e4
agent-browser check @e5 | uncheck @e5
agent-browser select @e6 "value"
agent-browser press "Enter"
agent-browser scroll down 500
agent-browser drag @e7 @e8
```
### Get Information
```bash
agent-browser get text @e1 --json
agent-browser get html @e2 --json
agent-browser get value @e3 --json
agent-browser get attr @e4 "href" --json
agent-browser get title --json
agent-browser get url --json
agent-browser get count ".item" --json
```
### Check State
```bash
agent-browser is visible @e2 --json
agent-browser is enabled @e3 --json
agent-browser is checked @e4 --json
```
### Wait
```bash
agent-browser wait @e2 # Wait for element
agent-browser wait 1000 # Wait ms
agent-browser wait --text "Welcome" # Wait for text
agent-browser wait --url "**/dashboard" # Wait for URL
agent-browser wait --load networkidle # Wait for network
agent-browser wait --fn "window.ready === true"
```
### Sessions (Isolated Browsers)
```bash
agent-browser --session admin open site.com
agent-browser --session user open site.com
agent-browser session list
# Or via env: AGENT_BROWSER_SESSION=admin agent-browser ...
```
### State Persistence
```bash
agent-browser state save auth.json # Save cookies/storage
agent-browser state load auth.json # Load (skip login)
```
### Screenshots & PDFs
```bash
agent-browser screenshot page.png
agent-browser screenshot --full page.png
agent-browser pdf page.pdf
```
### Network Control
```bash
agent-browser network route "**/ads/*" --abort # Block
agent-browser network route "**/api/*" --body '{"x":1}' # Mock
agent-browser network requests --filter api # View
```
### Cookies & Storage
```bash
agent-browser cookies # Get all
agent-browser cookies set name value
agent-browser storage local key # Get localStorage
agent-browser storage local set key val
```
### Tabs & Frames
```bash
agent-browser tab new https://example.com
agent-browser tab 2 # Switch to tab
agent-browser frame @e5 # Switch to iframe
agent-browser frame main # Back to main
```
## Snapshot Output Format
```json
{
"success": true,
"data": {
"snapshot": "...",
"refs": {
"e1": {"role": "heading", "name": "Example Domain"},
"e2": {"role": "button", "name": "Submit"},
"e3": {"role": "textbox", "name": "Email"}
}
}
}
```
## Best Practices
1. **Always use `-i` flag** - Focus on interactive elements
2. **Always use `--json`** - Easier to parse
3. **Wait for stability** - `agent-browser wait --load networkidle`
4. **Save auth state** - Skip login flows with `state save/load`
5. **Use sessions** - Isolate different browser contexts
6. **Use `--headed` for debugging** - See what's happening
## Example: Search and Extract
```bash
agent-browser open https://www.google.com
agent-browser snapshot -i --json
# AI identifies search box @e1
agent-browser fill @e1 "AI agents"
agent-browser press Enter
agent-browser wait --load networkidle
agent-browser snapshot -i --json
# AI identifies result refs
agent-browser get text @e3 --json
agent-browser get attr @e4 "href" --json
```
## Example: Multi-Session Testing
```bash
# Admin session
agent-browser --session admin open app.com
agent-browser --session admin state load admin-auth.json
agent-browser --session admin snapshot -i --json
# User session (simultaneous)
agent-browser --session user open app.com
agent-browser --session user state load user-auth.json
agent-browser --session user snapshot -i --json
```
## Installation
```bash
npm install -g agent-browser
agent-browser install # Download Chromium
agent-browser install --with-deps # Linux: + system deps
```
## Credits
Skill created by Yossi Elkrief ([@MaTriXy](https://github.com/MaTriXy))
agent-browser CLI by [Vercel Labs](https://github.com/vercel-labs/agent-browser)
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