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.