stagehand-browser-cli

---
name: browser
description: Automate web browser interactions using natural language via CLI commands. Use when the user asks to browse websites, navigate web pages, extract data from websites, take screenshots, fill forms, click buttons, or interact with web applications.
allowed-tools: Bash
---

# Browser Automation

Automate browser interactions using Stagehand CLI with Claude.

### First: Environment Selection (Local vs Remote)

The skill automatically selects between local and remote browser environments:
- **If Browserbase API keys exist** (BROWSERBASE_API_KEY and BROWSERBASE_PROJECT_ID in .env file): Uses remote Browserbase environment
- **If no Browserbase API keys**: Falls back to local Chrome browser
- **No user prompting**: The selection happens automatically based on available configuration

## Setup (First Time Only)

Check `setup.json` in this directory. If `setupComplete: false`:

```bash
npm install    # Install dependencies
npm link       # Create global 'browser' command
```

## Commands

All commands work identically in both modes:

```bash
browser navigate <url>                    # Go to URL
browser act "<action>"                    # Natural language action
browser extract "<instruction>" ['{}']    # Extract data (optional schema)
browser observe "<query>"                 # Discover elements
browser screenshot                        # Take screenshot
browser close                             # Close browser
```

## Quick Example

```bash
browser navigate https://example.com
browser act "click the Sign In button"
browser extract "get the page title"
browser close
```

## Mode Comparison

| Feature | Local | Browserbase |
|---------|-------|-------------|
| Speed | Faster | Slightly slower |
| Setup | Chrome required | API key required |
| Stealth mode | No | Yes |
| Proxy/CAPTCHA | No | Yes |
| Best for | Development | Production/scraping |

## Best Practices

1. **Always navigate first** before interacting
2. **View screenshots** after each command to verify
3. **Be specific** in action descriptions
4. **Close browser** when done

## Troubleshooting

- **Chrome not found**: Install Chrome or use Browserbase mode
- **Action fails**: Use `browser observe` to discover available elements
- **Browserbase fails**: Verify API key and project ID are set

For detailed examples, see [EXAMPLES.md](EXAMPLES.md).
For API reference, see [REFERENCE.md](REFERENCE.md).