Claude Chrome — Browser Automation via Claude Code

Use Claude Code's Chrome integration to browse the web, interact with pages, and automate browser tasks. This is an alternative to OpenClaw's built-in browser tools (Chrome Relay, OpenClaw profile).

Prerequisites

1. Claude Code installed on the node (e.g. /opt/homebrew/bin/claude)
2. Claude Code Chrome extension installed and enabled in Chrome
3. Chrome running on the node

How It Works

Claude Code can connect to Chrome via its built-in browser extension (MCP server). When enabled, Claude Code gains browser tools — it can navigate pages, click elements, fill forms, read content, and more.

Step 1: Check if Chrome Extension is Active

Look for the native host process to confirm the Chrome extension is running:

nodes.run node=<your-node-id> command='["bash", "-lc", "pgrep -f \"claude --chrome-native-host\""]'

If this returns a PID, the Chrome extension bridge is active and ready.

Step 2: Run Claude Code with Chrome

Use nodes.run with your node to execute browser tasks:

nodes.run node=<your-node-id> commandTimeoutMs=120000 command='["bash", "-lc", "claude --dangerously-skip-permissions --chrome -p \"Go to example.com and read the headline\""]'

Flags:

• --dangerously-skip-permissions — auto-approve all actions (required for automation)
• --chrome — enable Chrome browser integration
• -p / --print — non-interactive print mode (required for automated use)
• bash -lc — login shell to ensure PATH is loaded

Timeout: See benchmarks below for guidance. Recommended defaults:

• Simple tasks (single page read): commandTimeoutMs=30000 (30 seconds)
• Medium complexity (multi-step navigation): commandTimeoutMs=120000 (2 minutes)
• Complex workflows (multiple pages + summarization): commandTimeoutMs=180000 (3 minutes)

Performance Benchmarks

Task Type	Example	Duration	Recommended Timeout
Simple	Read button text on Google	13s	30s (30000ms)
Medium	Wikipedia search + navigate + summarize	76s	2min (120000ms)
Complex	Multi-page navigation + external links	~90s+	3min (180000ms)

Gateway timeout note: OpenClaw's gateway has a hardcoded 10-second connection timeout. Commands will error immediately but continue running in the background. Results arrive via system messages when complete.

Limitations

• Domain permissions: Claude Code's Chrome extension may require user approval for new domains (cannot be automated)
• Gateway timeout: Initial connection times out at 10s, but commands continue running
• Desktop required: Only works on nodes with a desktop environment, Chrome, and the extension active

Tips

• Always use --dangerously-skip-permissions for automated runs
• Always use -p / --print for non-interactive output
• Always use bash -lc for login shell (PATH loading)
• Be aggressive with timeouts - commands complete in background even after gateway timeout
• Claude Code can combine coding and browsing in a single session
• Check the native host process before attempting browser tasks
• For simple data scraping, consider web_fetch instead (faster, no domain permissions needed)