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nstbrowser-playwright-mcp

by jackie099

nstbrowser-playwright-mcp

MCP server that combines NSTBrowser profile management with Playwright browser automation via CDP (Chrome DevTools Protocol).

Built on top of the official @playwright/mcp package — all browser automation tools are provided by Microsoft's Playwright MCP server, connected to NSTBrowser profiles via CDP.

Features

  • 26 MCP tools — 20 browser automation tools (from @playwright/mcp) + 6 session/profile management tools

  • Connect to existing NSTBrowser profiles or create temporary ones

  • Multi-session support with session switching

  • Full Playwright browser automation: navigation, clicking, typing, screenshots, JavaScript evaluation, drag & drop, form filling, and more

  • Console log and network request tracking

  • Accessibility snapshots for AI-driven interaction

Related MCP server: Playwright MCP

Prerequisites

Quick Start

Claude Code

claude mcp add nstbrowser -- npx -y nstbrowser-playwright-mcp

Then set your API key in the environment or pass it via --env:

claude mcp add nstbrowser -e NSTBROWSER_API_KEY=your-api-key-here -- npx -y nstbrowser-playwright-mcp

Claude Desktop

Add to your claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "nstbrowser": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "nstbrowser-playwright-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "NSTBROWSER_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Cursor / Windsurf

Add to your MCP settings (.cursor/mcp.json or Windsurf equivalent):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "nstbrowser": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "nstbrowser-playwright-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "NSTBROWSER_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Install from source

git clone https://github.com/jackie099/nstbrowser-playwright-mcp.git
cd nstbrowser-playwright-mcp
npm install
npm run build

Configuration

Environment Variables

Variable

Required

Default

Description

NSTBROWSER_API_KEY

Yes

Your NSTBrowser API key

NSTBROWSER_API_ADDRESS

No

http://localhost:8848/api/v2

NSTBrowser API endpoint

Available Tools

Session Management

Tool

Description

create_session

Create a browser session — provide profileId for an existing profile, or call with no arguments to create a temporary one (all parameters are optional with sensible defaults)

list_sessions

List all active browser sessions

switch_session

Switch the active session

close_session

Close a session and disconnect

Browser Automation (from @playwright/mcp)

These tools are automatically available after creating your first session. They are provided by the official Playwright MCP server and use accessibility snapshot refs (element/ref) for targeting elements.

Tool

Description

browser_navigate

Navigate to a URL

browser_navigate_back

Go back in browser history

browser_snapshot

Get an accessibility snapshot of the page

browser_take_screenshot

Take a screenshot (PNG or JPEG)

browser_click

Click an element

browser_type

Type text into an editable element

browser_fill_form

Fill multiple form fields at once

browser_press_key

Press a keyboard key

browser_hover

Hover over an element

browser_select_option

Select a dropdown option

browser_drag

Drag and drop between elements

browser_file_upload

Upload files

browser_evaluate

Evaluate JavaScript on page or element

browser_run_code

Run a Playwright code snippet

browser_wait_for

Wait for text, text disappearance, or time

browser_tabs

Manage tabs (list, new, close, select)

browser_console_messages

Read console messages

browser_network_requests

List network requests

browser_resize

Resize the browser window

browser_handle_dialog

Accept or dismiss dialogs

NSTBrowser Management

Tool

Description

nst_get_profiles

List available NSTBrowser profiles

nst_get_browsers

List running NSTBrowser instances

create_session Parameters

All parameters are optional. When no profileId is provided, a temporary profile is created. The NSTBrowser API applies sensible defaults for any omitted fields (see NSTBrowser API docs for details).

Parameter

Description

profileId

Existing NSTBrowser profile ID to connect to

name

Name for the temporary profile (used when no profileId)

kernel

Browser kernel (chromium)

kernelMilestone

Kernel version milestone (e.g. 128, 130, 132)

platform

Target platform: linux, mac, or windows

headless

Run browser in headless mode

proxy

Proxy string (e.g. http://user:pass@host:port)

Usage Examples

Connect to an existing profile

Use create_session with profileId "abc123" to connect to my NSTBrowser profile,
then navigate to https://example.com and take a screenshot.

Create a temporary session (no arguments needed)

Create a temporary browser session and navigate to https://news.ycombinator.com.
Get an accessibility snapshot of the page.

Create a temporary session with custom settings

Create a session with platform "windows" and kernelMilestone "132",
then navigate to https://example.com.

Multi-session workflow

Create two sessions - one for GitHub and one for Gmail.
Switch between them to check notifications on both.

How It Works

  1. Session creation — When you call create_session, the server connects to NSTBrowser's API to get a CDP (Chrome DevTools Protocol) WebSocket URL for the requested profile.

  2. Playwright MCP bridge — The CDP endpoint is passed to @playwright/mcp's createConnection, which creates a full Playwright MCP server instance connected to that browser.

  3. Tool proxying — On the first session creation, browser tools are discovered from the Playwright MCP instance and registered as proxy tools on our server. Tool calls are forwarded to the active session's Playwright MCP client.

  4. Multi-session — Each session has its own Playwright MCP connection. Switching sessions routes all browser tool calls to the new active session.

Development

npm install
npm run build
npm test
npm run lint

License

MIT

Available Tools

6 tools
close_sessionA

Close a browser session and disconnect from NSTBrowser

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
sessionIdYesSession ID to close

TDQS

A3.8/5.0
Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden. It discloses the core action ('close') and the effect ('disconnect from NSTBrowser'), but it does not detail side effects, irreversibility, potential errors, or whether the operation is idempotent. This is acceptable for a simple close/teardown operation but leaves some behavioral aspects implicit.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is a single, well-structured sentence that fully covers the tool's purpose without unnecessary words. It earns its place and is immediately understandable.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a low-complexity tool with one parameter and no output schema, the description provides sufficient information: it states what is closed and what disconnect occurs. Its sibling context clarifies when it would be used. Minor gap: it does not mention return values or error cases, but these are less critical for a close operation.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 100% with the 'sessionId' parameter already described as 'Session ID to close'. The description adds no additional meaning or context beyond the schema, so it does not improve on the baseline. It correctly maps to the single parameter but provides no extra semantic value.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description uses a specific verb ('Close') and clearly identifies the resource ('a browser session') plus the additional effect ('disconnect from NSTBrowser'). This distinguishes it from sibling tools like create_session, list_sessions, and switch_session, making its purpose unambiguous.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The usage context is implied by the verb and resource, but the description does not explicitly state when to use this tool versus alternatives, nor does it mention any preconditions (e.g., session must exist) or exclusion cases. It is adequate but lacks explicit guidance.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

create_sessionA

Create a browser session by connecting to an NSTBrowser profile via CDP. Provide profileId to connect to an existing profile, or call with no arguments to create a temporary one (all parameters are optional with sensible defaults).

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
nameNoName for a temporary profile (used when no profileId is provided)
proxyNoProxy string
kernelNoBrowser kernel
headlessNoRun headless
platformNoTarget platform
profileIdNoExisting NSTBrowser profile ID to connect to
kernelMilestoneNoKernel version milestone, e.g. '128'

TDQS

A4.1/5.0
Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It explains the two modes (existing vs. temporary profile), the CDP connection mechanism, and that all parameters are optional with sensible defaults. It does not mention potential side effects like persistence or cleanup, but for a creation tool this is acceptable.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is two sentences with no filler. It front-loads the core purpose and then explains the key usage modes, making it highly efficient and easy to scan.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

The tool has 7 parameters and no output schema, but the description only explains the primary functionality. It does not mention return values (e.g., session ID) or how the created session relates to sibling tools like switch_session or close_session. This leaves a gap for an agent that needs to know what to expect after invocation.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 100%, so the description adds marginal value beyond the schema. It clarifies that profileId is for connecting to an existing profile and that other parameters are for temporary profiles, which is echoed in the schema. The note about 'all parameters are optional' is helpful but already implied by zero required parameters.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the action: 'Create a browser session by connecting to an NSTBrowser profile via CDP.' It specifies the resource (browser session) and method (CDP connection), and it is immediately distinguishable from sibling tools like list_sessions, switch_session, and close_session, which perform different operations.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides explicit guidance: 'Provide profileId to connect to an existing profile, or call with no arguments to create a temporary one.' This tells the agent when to use each invocation mode. It stops short of explicitly naming alternatives, but the sibling context makes the tool's distinct role clear.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

list_sessionsA

List all active browser sessions

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault

No parameters

TDQS

A3.5/5.0
Behavior2/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

There are no annotations, so the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. The word 'active' adds a slight qualification, but the description does not explain what constitutes an 'active' session, the shape of the returned data, or whether it is a safe read-only operation. This is minimal and leaves significant behavioral questions unanswered.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is a single, concise sentence that front-loads the core action and object. Every word is essential and there is no filler, making it highly efficient.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the tool's simplicity (0 params, no output schema), the description is minimally adequate but leaves out important details such as what fields are returned for each session and what happens if no sessions are active. For a complete picture, the tool would benefit from specifying return structure or edge cases, so it is not fully complete.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The tool takes zero parameters, and the empty input schema fully defines this. Per the rubric, 0 params earns a baseline of 4. The description adds no parameter information, but none is needed since there are no arguments to explain.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description uses a specific verb 'List' and clearly identifies the resource as 'active browser sessions'. It is unambiguous and distinguishable from sibling tools like create_session, switch_session, and close_session by focusing on listing rather than state changes.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines2/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives like nst_get_profiles or nst_get_browsers. While the purpose is clear, the absence of any contextual usage hints means a user might wonder whether to list sessions or browsers.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

nst_get_browsersB

List running NSTBrowser instances

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
statusNoFilter by browser status

TDQS

B3.1/5.0
Behavior2/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations, the description must carry behavioral disclosure. 'List' implies a read operation, but the description doesn't disclose that status filtering can return non-running instances, nor does it describe output format or side effects.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

A single sentence that is direct and free of unnecessary detail.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

The description is minimal and lacks return value details or relationship to sibling tools. For a simple list tool it is usable, but the running/status inconsistency leaves a gap.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The only parameter 'status' is fully described in the schema with enum values. The description adds no extra parameter meaning beyond the phrase 'running', which might be misinterpreted as a fixed state rather than the default filter.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

Lists NSTBrowser instances, a distinct resource compared to sessions/profiles. The verb 'List' and resource are clear, but the qualifier 'running' is slightly misleading since the status filter supports starting/stopping as well.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines2/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

No guidance on when to use this tool versus list_sessions or nst_get_profiles. No alternatives or exclusions are mentioned.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

nst_get_profilesB

List available NSTBrowser profiles

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
sNoSearch query
pageNoPage number
groupIdNoFilter by group ID
pageSizeNoResults per page

TDQS

B3.2/5.0
Behavior2/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations, the description carries the full burden of disclosing behavior. It does not mention that this is a read-only operation, any required permissions, or whether the list is static or dynamic. It also fails to describe any side effects or limitations, leaving the agent to infer safety from the name alone.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is a single concise sentence that is front-loaded and free of fluff. It communicates the core purpose efficiently without wasting words, achieving excellent conciseness for a simple listing tool.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

The tool has four parameters for filtering and pagination, but the description does not mention these capabilities, nor does it describe what the return value looks like in the absence of an output schema. The description is too minimal to fully inform an agent about how to effectively use the tool in a real scenario.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The input schema has full coverage for all 4 parameters, so the baseline is 3. The description adds no extra meaning beyond what the schema already provides, such as indicating that 'page' and 'pageSize' control pagination or that 's' filters results. The description is neutral and does not mislead, hence a 3.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description 'List available NSTBrowser profiles' clearly states the action (List) and the resource (NSTBrowser profiles). It distinguishes from siblings like 'create_session' and 'nst_get_browsers' by targeting profiles specifically, making its purpose unambiguous.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines2/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

No guidance is provided on when to use this tool versus alternatives, such as whether to use it before selecting a profile or how it relates to session management. The description gives no context for choosing this tool over siblings like 'nst_get_browsers' or 'list_sessions'.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

switch_sessionB

Switch the active browser session

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
sessionIdYesSession ID to switch to

TDQS

B3.1/5.0
Behavior2/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It only states the basic action without revealing whether the session ID must exist, whether the previous session is deactivated or remains available, or any side effects. This is insufficient for a state-changing tool.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is a single concise sentence, 'Switch the active browser session', with no filler or redundant information. It is immediately understandable and efficiently conveys the core purpose.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a simple one-parameter tool, the description is minimally adequate, but it lacks important context about prerequisites (e.g., session must exist) and consequences (e.g., affects subsequent calls). With no annotations or output schema, more context would be beneficial.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The input schema already provides a clear description for sessionId: 'Session ID to switch to', and schema coverage is 100%. The tool description adds no additional parameter-level detail, but since the schema covers it fully, this is acceptable.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description 'Switch the active browser session' clearly identifies the action (switch) and the target resource (active browser session). It distinguishes implicitly from siblings like create_session and close_session by focusing on changing state rather than creating or destroying, though it could be more explicit about its unique role.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines2/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

No guidance is provided on when to use this tool versus alternatives. The description does not mention prerequisites such as listing sessions first, nor does it explain that switching affects subsequent operations. There are no explicit when-to-use or when-not-to-use instructions.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

Tool Schema Changelog

Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections. Dates show when Glama detected each change.

  1. 6 tool updatesv1.0.1
    • First observedclose_session
    • First observedcreate_session
    • First observedlist_sessions
    • First observednst_get_browsers
    • First observednst_get_profiles
    • First observedswitch_session

TDQS

A3.7/5.0
Disambiguation4/5

The tools are mostly distinct: create/list/switch/close_session manage browser sessions, while nst_get_profiles and nst_get_browsers list profiles and running instances. There is some potential overlap between list_sessions and nst_get_browsers, but descriptions clarify sessions are CDP connections while browsers are NSTBrowser instances.

Naming Consistency4/5

The session tools follow a consistent verb_noun pattern (create_session, list_sessions, switch_session, close_session). However, nst_get_profiles and nst_get_browsers deviate by using an 'nst_' prefix and 'get_' instead of 'list_', introducing a minor inconsistency.

Tool Count5/5

A total of 6 tools is well-scoped for browser session management. Each tool serves a clear purpose without redundancy, and the count is well within the ideal range for a focused server.

Completeness5/5

The tool set covers the full session lifecycle (create, list, switch, close) plus the necessary discovery operations for profiles and running browsers. There are no obvious gaps for the stated domain of managing NSTBrowser connections.

Maintenance

ActivityInactive
ResponsivenessNo issues

Resources

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