Playwright MCP Server 🎭

What is Playwright MCP Server 🎭?

Playwright MCP Server 🎭 is a Model Context Protocol server that provides browser automation capabilities using Playwright. It enables large language models to interact with web pages, take screenshots, generate test code, web scrape pages, and execute JavaScript in a real browser environment.

How to use Playwright MCP Server 🎭?

Install the package globally via npm, or use mcp-get, Smithery, or VS Code CLI. The server automatically installs browser binaries on first use. Configure it in stdio mode for Claude Desktop or HTTP mode for VS Code GitHub Copilot and custom clients. Invoke tools like playwright_resize with device presets.

Key features of Playwright MCP Server 🎭

• Browser automation using Playwright (Chromium, Firefox, WebKit)
• 143 real device presets with natural language support
• Automatic browser installation on first use
• HTTP mode for remote, multi-client, and VS Code integration
• Screenshot capture, test code generation, web scraping, JavaScript execution
• Health check endpoint and monitoring system

Use cases of Playwright MCP Server 🎭

• Let LLMs browse the web and take screenshots for visual understanding
• Generate Playwright test code from natural language instructions
• Automate web scraping and data extraction tasks
• Test responsive web designs across 143 device profiles
• Enable headless browser access from remote servers or CI/CD pipelines

FAQ from Playwright MCP Server 🎭

How do I install Playwright MCP Server 🎭?

You can install it globally via npm (npm install -g @executeautomation/playwright-mcp-server), via Smithery, or through mcp-get. For VS Code, use the one-click install button or the code --add-mcp CLI command.

How do I configure it for Claude Desktop vs VS Code?

For Claude Desktop, use stdio mode with a command/args configuration. For VS Code GitHub Copilot, use HTTP mode (starting the server with --port 8931) and include "type": "http" in the client configuration. The "type": "http" field is required for HTTP/SSE transport.

Does the server install browsers automatically?

Yes, when the server first detects a missing browser, it automatically downloads and installs the required browser (Chromium, Firefox, or WebKit) and retries the request. Manual installation is also supported via npx playwright install.

What devices are supported for emulation?

The server supports 143 real device presets, including iPhone, iPad, Pixel, Galaxy, and Desktop Chrome. You can use natural language commands like "Test on iPhone 13" or "Switch to iPad view". Device emulation is performed by the playwright_resize tool.