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To connect BrowserStack to an AI assistant, choose either its local npm server or its hosted MCP endpoint. Local setup runs @browserstack/mcp-server through Node.js v22 or newer and uses your BrowserStack Username and Access Key; remote setup uses https://mcp.browserstack.com/mcp and OAuth in VS Code. Once the server is enabled in a supported MCP client, you can ask it to configure or run BrowserStack automation workflows. An Automate license is required for the Automate tools.
Choose local or remote MCP
The BrowserStack MCP Server connects MCP-compatible AI clients to BrowserStack. The choice is mainly about where the server runs and how the connection is authorized—not a different BrowserStack testing service.
| Setup | What you configure | Best fit | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local | A Node.js process launched with npx, plus BrowserStack credentials supplied as environment variables. |
You want the server process and project context to remain on your machine, or need project-specific configuration. | Requires Node.js v22 or newer and client configuration. Your client must be able to launch the local process. |
| Remote | The hosted URL https://mcp.browserstack.com/mcp; in VS Code, add an HTTP MCP server and approve OAuth. |
You prefer not to install or run the local package. | The connection depends on reaching the hosted endpoint; corporate network policies may affect access. |
BrowserStack documents global and project-specific local installations. Choose a global client configuration if you want the server available across projects; use a project-level file when the configuration should travel with a particular project. A project file can also make the setup easier for a team to discover, but do not put shared personal credentials into a file that will be committed or distributed.
Check prerequisites and protect credentials
- A BrowserStack account, Username, and Access Key are needed.
- For local setup, install Node.js v22 or newer and confirm the AI client supports MCP.
- For remote setup, use an MCP client that supports the hosted server’s Streamable HTTP transport. BrowserStack’s repository lists Claude, Cursor, VS Code, and ChatGPT among supported Streamable-HTTP clients.
For local setup, BrowserStack recommends the environment variables BROWSERSTACK_USERNAME and BROWSERSTACK_ACCESS_KEY. The configuration format can carry credentials directly in an env object, as shown below, but those values are plain text in the file. Prefer environment-variable or client-managed secret storage when available, and keep credential-bearing configuration out of shared repositories. If you use NVM and a desktop client cannot find the intended Node version, BrowserStack points users to an NVM configuration guide; make sure the client can resolve the Node executable it needs.
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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.
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Set up the local server
For a client that accepts stdio MCP configuration in the mcpServers format, add this entry, replacing the two credential values. The npx command downloads and runs the current package release when the client starts it.
{
"mcpServers": {
"browserstack": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@browserstack/mcp-server@latest"],
"env": {
"BROWSERSTACK_USERNAME": "YOUR_USERNAME",
"BROWSERSTACK_ACCESS_KEY": "YOUR_ACCESS_KEY"
}
}
}
}Client configuration formats are not interchangeable. Use the client’s expected schema and filename; the snippet above is for clients supporting this stdio format, not a universal replacement for each client’s settings file.
VS Code with GitHub Copilot or Cline
For VS Code, a project-scoped configuration can live at .vscode/mcp.json. BrowserStack also documents installing the NPM package through VS Code’s MCP tools UI and then starting the server from the MCP configuration. Confirm VS Code shows the server as running or enabled before prompting the assistant.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Cline uses its cline_mcp_settings.json configuration. Add the local server using the structure Cline expects, save the file, and check that the server starts. If your client presents an MCP server list or toggle, verify BrowserStack is enabled there as well.
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Cursor
For a user-level setup, use .cursor/mcp.json; for a project-scoped setup, place .cursor/mcp.json in the project. Add the local server in Cursor’s supported configuration format and save the credentials securely. BrowserStack says Cursor starts the server after credentials are saved and displays an MCP toggle; confirm it is on.
Claude Desktop
Create or edit the user-level claude_desktop_config.json and add the local npx command and environment variables. Restart Claude Desktop or start the MCP integration in the client, then check that BrowserStack appears as an available server. The exact file location can depend on the operating system; use the location Claude Desktop provides for its configuration rather than placing it in a project directory.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Configure the remote server
If you do not want to run a local Node process, configure the hosted endpoint. BrowserStack documents this project-file entry for VS Code’s HTTP MCP server:
{
"servers": {
"browserstack": {
"url": "https://mcp.browserstack.com/mcp"
}
}
}Add it to the project’s .vscode/mcp.json, start the server through VS Code’s MCP controls, and approve the OAuth authorization prompt. The remote setup does not use the local npx command or put the Username and Access Key in that JSON entry. If your client is not VS Code, follow its HTTP MCP configuration and authorization flow; the VS Code file schema should not be assumed to work unchanged in another client.
Verify the connection and make a first request
- Save the configuration in the right client-specific location.
- Start or enable the BrowserStack server using the client’s MCP controls. For remote VS Code, complete the OAuth approval.
- Ask: “List the BrowserStack MCP tools and confirm the connected account.” Check that the client can see the tools before asking it to change or run a test.
- Start with a low-risk task, such as asking the assistant to generate a BrowserStack SDK configuration. Review the result before using it for a larger test run.
If you are setting up browser automation, BrowserStack documents Automate tools including setupBrowserStackAutomateTests and fetchAutomationScreenshots. They can help integrate the SDK, run tests on selected platforms and frameworks such as Playwright, and retrieve screenshots from Automate or App Automate sessions. These Automate capabilities require an Automate license; connecting the MCP server alone does not establish that your account has the license or access needed for a particular run.
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
Choose a client for the work
BrowserStack recommends GitHub Copilot or Cursor for automated testing and debugging, and Claude Desktop for manual Live testing. Treat these as BrowserStack’s suggested client choices rather than a claim that other clients cannot work. The hosted server’s repository describes it as stateless over Streamable HTTP and says it supports a subset of the MCP specification. Tool calls also depend on the client and the language model, so an assistant’s execution can be nondeterministic. Review test configuration, target platforms, and results rather than assuming every generated action is identical on a repeat.
Troubleshoot common setup failures
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Local server will not start or the client reports a process error. | Node.js is missing, older than v22, or not visible to the client process. | Check the Node version and the executable available to the client. If using NVM, check its client configuration so the desktop app can locate the intended Node installation. |
| Server starts, but BrowserStack authentication fails. | The Username or Access Key is missing, mistyped, or not passed as the expected environment variables. | Verify BROWSERSTACK_USERNAME and BROWSERSTACK_ACCESS_KEY in the client’s server configuration or secret store. Avoid pasting credentials into a shared project file. |
| The configuration is saved, but the assistant cannot see BrowserStack tools. | The server may not have been started or enabled, or the client may be using the wrong configuration schema or file. | Check the exact client filename and format, then use the client’s MCP controls to start the server and confirm its enabled status. |
| Remote VS Code cannot connect. | The HTTP server entry may be malformed, OAuth may not have been approved, or network policy may block the hosted endpoint. | Confirm the URL is exactly https://mcp.browserstack.com/mcp, start the server from .vscode/mcp.json, complete OAuth, and check access to the endpoint on your network. |
| The server connects, but a Playwright or other Automate task cannot run. | The account may not have an Automate license, or the assistant may have generated an unsuitable configuration. | Confirm Automate access for the account and inspect the SDK configuration, selected framework, and platforms before retrying. |
| The assistant behaves differently across runs. | LLM-driven tool invocation is nondeterministic, and the server is under active development. | Ask for a specific, bounded action, review the proposed configuration, and inspect the actual test result rather than relying on the prompt alone. |
Or skip the browser setup
If your immediate task is producing a clean webpage screenshot—not running interactive tests across BrowserStack devices—you can call ScreenshotNeo’s screenshot API instead. It is a separate screenshot service, not a substitute for BrowserStack Automate or Live. One GET request returns an image or PDF; this cURL example saves a WebP screenshot:
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 parameters. ScreenshotNeo accepts the consent banner like a visitor before capture and removes 60+ known consent platforms, newsletter popups, and chat widgets; each cleanup step can be turned off. Bot checks and CAPTCHAs, blank pages, timeouts, failed loads, and cache hits are not billed, and responses indicate the page verdict and billing status in headers. Its MCP server offers take_screenshot, get_page_info, and capture_pdf for Claude, Cursor, and other MCP clients. The free plan includes 1,000 shots per month without a card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 shots. Every feature is on every plan. See ScreenshotNeo for the service details.
Sign up for ScreenshotNeo and get 1,000 screenshots a month free, with no card required.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Can BrowserStack MCP replace writing or reviewing tests?
No. It gives an AI client access to BrowserStack tools, but generated configuration and test actions still need review. Validate the code and inspect the run results.
Does connecting the MCP server automatically give me BrowserStack Automate access?
No. BrowserStack’s documented Automate tools require an Automate license in addition to a working MCP connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can BrowserStack MCP replace writing or reviewing tests?
No. It gives an AI client access to BrowserStack tools, but generated configuration and test actions still need review. Validate the code and inspect the run results.
Does connecting the MCP server automatically give me BrowserStack Automate access?
No. BrowserStack’s documented Automate tools require an Automate license in addition to a working MCP connection.
Quick Recap
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