inspect_networkStart
Idempotent
Start capturing network packets to monitor traffic, troubleshoot connectivity issues, and analyze data flows in real-time.
Instructions
Start network capture.
Input Schema
TableJSON Schema
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
No arguments | |||
Implementation Reference
- extension/background.js:612-622 (handler)Main handler for 'inspect.networkStart' tool. Attaches debugger, initializes network capture state, enables CDP Network domain, and clears detach timer to keep debugger alive during capture.
case 'inspect.networkStart': { // Start capturing network requests via CDP Network domain await ensureDebugger(tabId) const capture = { entries: [], listening: true } networkCaptures.set(tabId, capture) await chrome.debugger.sendCommand({ tabId }, 'Network.enable') // Clear detach timer — keep debugger alive for capture const session = debuggerSessions.get(tabId) if (session?.detachTimer) { clearTimeout(session.detachTimer); session.detachTimer = null } return {} } - extension/background.js:714-737 (helper)CDP Network Event Listener that captures network responses when inspect.networkStart is active. Filters for API-like requests (JSON/XML) and stores response metadata in networkCaptures map.
// --- CDP Network Event Listener (for inspect.networkStart/networkDump) --- chrome.debugger.onEvent.addListener((source, method, params) => { const tabId = source.tabId const capture = networkCaptures.get(tabId) if (!capture?.listening) return if (method === 'Network.responseReceived') { const { response, requestId } = params if (!response?.url) return // Only capture API-like requests (JSON, XHR, fetch) const ct = response.headers?.['content-type'] || response.headers?.['Content-Type'] || '' const isApi = ct.includes('json') || ct.includes('xml') || response.mimeType?.includes('json') const isDoc = ct.includes('html') || ct.includes('css') || ct.includes('javascript') || ct.includes('image') || ct.includes('font') if (isDoc && !isApi) return capture.entries.push({ url: response.url, method: params.type || 'GET', status: response.status, type: response.mimeType || ct.split(';')[0], requestId, }) } }) - extension/background.js:319-319 (registration)Tool registration in the capabilities response. Lists 'inspect.networkStart' as a supported tool alongside related inspect tools (inspect.page, inspect.networkDump, inspect.networkStop).
'inspect.page', 'inspect.networkStart', 'inspect.networkDump', 'inspect.networkStop',