Recommended Free Tools
Use Playwright MCP’s browser_take_screenshot tool after navigating to a page. With no target it captures the current viewport; set fullPage: true for the full scrollable page, or provide a target to capture one element. Save to a file with filename, or omit it to receive the image inline.
Start the Playwright MCP server
For a standalone server, Playwright’s getting-started guide shows this command:
npx @playwright/mcp@latest --port 8931Configure your MCP client to connect to http://localhost:8931/mcp. The configuration location and syntax depend on the client, so follow that client’s MCP setup instructions. See the Playwright MCP getting-started guide for the current setup reference.
Capture the current page, an element, or the full page
Navigate to the page first, then invoke browser_take_screenshot. The tool’s arguments are structured input to your MCP client, not a shell command.
The Tool Desk
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- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
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Current viewport
Call the tool without a target or fullPage argument to capture what is visible in the browser viewport:
browser_take_screenshot { filename: "current-view.png" }One element
Set target to an element reference obtained from an accessibility snapshot, or to a unique selector. For example, after finding a unique element with a snapshot, use its ref:
Rank #2
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browser_take_screenshot { target: "<element-ref>", filename: "element.png" }Replace <element-ref> with the actual reference returned by the browser snapshot. You can also use a unique selector as the target. An element target is for capturing that element rather than the whole page.
Full scrollable page
Set fullPage to true to include content below the fold:
Rank #3
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
browser_take_screenshot { fullPage: true, filename: "homepage.png" }fullPage: true cannot be combined with target. Choose either an element capture or a full-page capture for each call.
Choose file handling, format, and scale
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
filename |
Saves the screenshot. Relative paths resolve from the workspace root. If omitted, the tool returns the image inline using a generated filename in its output directory. |
type |
Sets png, jpeg, or webp. If omitted, the tool infers the type from the filename extension; if it cannot infer one, it defaults to PNG. |
scale |
css is the default and produces CSS-pixel sizing. Set to device for a higher-resolution capture based on the device pixel ratio. |
For example, to request WebP explicitly and capture at device-pixel resolution:
Rank #4
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- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
browser_take_screenshot { filename: "page.webp", type: "webp", scale: "device" }Use screenshots for visual checks and snapshots for interaction
A screenshot is useful for checking visual layout, chart or canvas rendering, and documenting a visual issue. It is not the right source for locating interactive elements. Use browser_snapshot to read page structure and obtain refs for interaction, then use those refs when targeting an element screenshot. Playwright’s guidance distinguishes the two: screenshots are for looking at, while snapshots provide refs to interact with. See the official Playwright documentation.
Troubleshoot common capture problems
- The image is only the visible portion of the page: add
fullPage: true. Do not include atargetin the same request. - The tool does not capture the intended element: get a fresh accessibility snapshot and use its current ref, or provide a unique selector. A screenshot itself does not provide interaction refs.
- The screenshot is not saved where expected: check the filename and remember that relative filenames resolve against the workspace root. Omit
filenameif you want the image returned inline instead. - The output format differs from what you expected: use a filename with the intended extension or set
typeexplicitly. With neither a usable extension nor an explicit type, the default is PNG. - The image dimensions are smaller than expected:
scaledefaults tocss; choosedevicefor device-pixel sizing based on the browser’s device pixel ratio. - The MCP client cannot connect: check that the server was started with the intended port and that the client is configured for
http://localhost:8931/mcp. Client configuration details vary by client.
Or skip the browser setup
If your goal is an image file from a URL rather than using Playwright MCP specifically, ScreenshotNeo is a website screenshot API and MCP server. Its one-call cURL example is:
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpSee the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for the request details. ScreenshotNeo removes cookie banners, popups, and chat widgets before a shot; bot checks, blank pages, and failed loads are never billed. Its MCP server lets AI agents take screenshots. The Free plan includes 1,000 screenshots a month with no card, and paid plans start at $5 for 3,000. Sign up for ScreenshotNeo’s free plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take an element screenshot and a full-page screenshot in one call?
No. The fullPage: true option cannot be combined with target; make separate calls for those capture scopes.
Quick Recap
Which image formats does Playwright MCP support for screenshots?
PNG, JPEG, and WebP.
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