Chrome Use OpenClaw Skill

Control your local Chrome browser via chrome.debugger API using a Chrome extension. Provides Playwright-like functionality with full browser control using your existing Chrome profile, with improved stealth against bot detection.

How to Use (Read First)

⚠️ Non-Headless Mode Required

Do NOT use headless Chrome. Cloudflare and anti-bot systems detect and block headless browsers. Always launch Chrome with the built-in launchChrome() method. If running in a headless environment (no display), Chrome must still be launched in non-headless mode — the extension and debugger API require it.

⚠️ Initialization Sequence

The extension requires 15 seconds to initialize after Chrome starts. Calling connect() too early will fail.

// Import from ./index.js (relative path, NOT 'chrome-use')
import { connect, navigate, evaluate, click, fill, screenshot, disconnect } from './index.js';
import { launchChrome } from './index.js';

// Step 1: Launch Chrome with extension
await launchChrome();

// Step 2: Wait 15 seconds for extension service worker to initialize
await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, 15000));

// Step 3: Connect to Chrome
await connect();

// Step 4: Use
await navigate('https://example.com');

// ... do things ...

// Disconnect when done
disconnect();

When implementing: always use the built-in launchChrome() function — never spawn Chrome yourself or use other launch methods.

Rules

• Always import from ./index.js (relative path), NOT from 'chrome-use'
• Do NOT run google-chrome or chromium commands directly
• Do NOT use CDP protocol or chrome.debugger directly
• Always wait 15 seconds after launchChrome() before calling connect()
• Chrome can be running already — launchChrome() will open a new window if Chrome is already running
• If port 9224 is in use: run fuser -k 9224/tcp first

Features

• Stealth First: Uses chrome.debugger API via extension to evade anti-bot detection (Cloudflare, reCAPTCHA, fingerprinting)
• Auto WebSocket Server: Automatically starts and manages WebSocket server for extension communication
• Real Browser Rendering: Access JavaScript-rendered content and SPAs that standard search cannot
• Direct Search Engine Access: Query Google, Bing, etc. as a real user - returns unfiltered, real-time results
• Full Browser Control - Navigate, click, fill, hover, scroll, screenshot, execute JavaScript
• Tab Management - List, create, close, and switch tabs
• Cross-Platform - Supports macOS, Windows, and Linux

Installation (One-time)

Chrome extension must be installed manually (one-time):

1. Open Chrome → chrome://extensions/
2. Enable "Developer mode" (toggle in top right)
3. Click "Load unpacked"
4. Select the extension/ folder in the skill directory

After this, the extension loads automatically every time Chrome starts — no need to reload it each session.

Install npm dependencies:

cd ~/workspace/skills/chrome-use && npm install

Functions

Connection Management

connect()

Connect to Chrome via extension WebSocket server. Starts the WebSocket server and waits for the extension to connect. Does NOT launch Chrome - you must call launchChrome() first.

await launchChrome();
await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, 15000));
await connect();
// Returns: { status: "connected", mode: "debugger", port: 9224, extension_installed: true, tab_id: 12345 }

disconnect()

Disconnect from Chrome browser. Does NOT close Chrome - leaves it running.

isConnected()

Check if currently connected to Chrome extension. Returns: boolean

launchChrome()

Launch Chrome with the extension loaded. After calling this, you MUST wait 15 seconds before calling connect().

{ status: "launched", pid: 12345 }

Page Operations

navigate(url)

Navigate to a URL.

evaluate(script)

Execute JavaScript synchronously.

const title = await evaluate("document.title");

getHtml()

Get the page HTML. Returns: string

screenshot(fullPage?)

Take a screenshot. fullPage (boolean, optional): Capture full page or just viewport (default: false). Returns: string (Base64 PNG)

Element Interaction

click(selector)

Click an element using CSS selector.

fill(selector, value)

Input text into an element.

Tab Management

listTabs()

List all open tabs.

[
  { id: 708554825, title: "Google", url: "https://google.com", active: true },
  { id: 708554826, title: "Example", url: "https://example.com", active: false }
]

switchTab(tabId)

Switch to a different tab.

closeTab(tabId)

Close a tab.

newTab(url?)

Create a new tab.

Common Mistakes

Troubleshooting

connect() fails

1. Did you wait 15 seconds after launchChrome()?
2. Is port 9224 free? (fuser -k 9224/tcp)
3. Is the extension installed in Chrome?

Port 9224 already in use

fuser -k 9224/tcp

Notes

• Node.js starts a WebSocket server (port 9224) via connect(); the Chrome extension connects to Node.js as a WebSocket client, then uses chrome.debugger API to control Chrome
• disconnect() does NOT close Chrome by default
• All selectors use CSS selector syntax