Kapture MCP Server

Kapture is a Chrome DevTools Extension that enables browser automation through the Model Context Protocol (MCP). It allows AI applications like

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What is the Kapture MCP server?

Kapture is a Chrome DevTools Extension that enables browser automation through the Model Context Protocol (MCP). It allows AI applications like Claude to control web browsers via a three-layer architecture. That is what the kapture mcp server brings to an AI assistant: the same capability, reachable through the Model Context Protocol rather than a separate app or dashboard.

The short version

Kapture bridges AI assistants with web browsers through: - MCP Server: Handles MCP protocol communication - Chrome Extension: Background service worker executes browser automation commands (DevTools does not need to be open) - WebSocket Bridge: Real-time communication between server and extensions - Multi-Client Support: Multiple AI clients can connect simultaneously via WebSocket

The tools it exposes

The server publishes 14 tools. What each one is for:

  • navigate — Navigate to URL
  • back — Browser back button
  • forward — Browser forward button
  • reload — Reload the current page (similar to pressing F5)
  • click — Click elements (uses first matching element, returns unique selector)
  • hover — Hover over elements (uses first matching element, returns unique selector)
  • fill — Fill input fields by setting value directly (uses first matching element, returns unique selector)
  • type — Type a string as individual keystrokes (real key events; works on "fake" inputs that ignore element.value)
  • insertText — Insert a whole string at once (fires input events but no per-key events; good for bulk text and editors like Google Docs)
  • clear — Clear a text field via select-all + Backspace (real key events; works on "fake" inputs)
  • select — Select dropdown options (HTML only, uses first matching element, returns unique selector)
  • keypress — Send keyboard events to the page or specific elements (supports modifier keys)

Getting it running

kapture-mcp on npm is all you need. Most clients run it directly, so configuration is a few lines and a restart.

How it compares

This sits in the browser automation group, where several servers overlap in what they claim to do but differ sharply once you actually set them up. Kapture's toolset — navigate, back, forward and 11 more — is a fair guide to whether it matches your workflow. It is maintained by williamkapke; worth a glance at recent repository activity before you build anything load-bearing on it.

We check each listing at SyncDev against the project's documentation before it goes live — if something here drifts out of date, it is a bug worth reporting.

Things to watch

  • It runs with your machine's permissions. That is convenient and also the reason to think about what you point it at before you approve a tool call.
  • With 14 tools registered it takes up a noticeable share of the context window; turn it off in projects that never touch Kapture.
  • Keep per-call confirmation enabled while you learn its behaviour; it is the cheapest safeguard you have.

Available tools

ToolWhat it does
navigateNavigate to URL
backBrowser back button
forwardBrowser forward button
reloadReload the current page (similar to pressing F5)
clickClick elements (uses first matching element, returns unique selector)
hoverHover over elements (uses first matching element, returns unique selector)
fillFill input fields by setting value directly (uses first matching element, returns unique selector)
typeType a string as individual keystrokes (real key events; works on "fake" inputs that ignore element.value)
insertTextInsert a whole string at once (fires input events but no per-key events; good for bulk text and editors like Google Docs)
clearClear a text field via select-all + Backspace (real key events; works on "fake" inputs)
selectSelect dropdown options (HTML <select> only, uses first matching element, returns unique selector)
keypressSend keyboard events to the page or specific elements (supports modifier keys)
scrollScroll an element into view (selector/xpath) or to an absolute x/y document coordinate
elementsQuery all elements matching a CSS selector or XPath with optional visibility filtering

How to install the Kapture MCP server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kapture": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "kapture-mcp@latest", "bridge"]
    }
  }
}

Configuration as documented by the project. Restart the client after saving.

Example prompts to try

  • Use Kapture to navigate.
  • Use Kapture to back.
  • Use Kapture to forward.

Frequently asked questions

It connects Kapture to MCP-compatible AI assistants such as Claude and Cursor, exposing 14 tools (navigate, back, forward, and more) that the assistant can call on your behalf. Instead of copying data back and forth by hand, the assistant works with Kapture directly.