Playwright MCP Server for Claude Code: Setup & Config

What you can do with Playwright in Claude Code

Pick it for Playwright automation with device presets, test generation, and automatic browser setup.

• Test responsive pages using phone and tablet emulation profiles.
• Scrape page content or run JavaScript in a real browser.

Before you start: Playwright in Claude Code

• An MCP-compatible client
• npm/npx tooling
• Playwright browser binaries, installed automatically if missing

This is the documented stdio configuration. HTTP mode uses --port 8931 and requires type: http in the client. The server binds to localhost; the README describes SSH tunneling for remote access.

Playwright Claude Code configuration

1. Choose Claude Code configuration scope

   For Playwright MCP Server, open Project scope: .mcp.json at the repository root. Project JSON: merge into mcpServers; user scope: use the CLI.

2. Add Playwright MCP Server to Claude Code

   Use the mcp-playwright entry below in mcpServers. Keep Playwright MCP Server's documented stdio connection fields and your other Claude Code entries.

3. Check Playwright MCP Server in Claude Code

   Playwright MCP Server: Inspect claude mcp list and /mcp status.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcp-playwright": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@executeautomation/playwright-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {}
    }
  }
}

claude mcp add-json --scope project 'mcp-playwright' '{"type":"stdio","command":"npx","args":["-y","@executeautomation/playwright-mcp-server"],"env":{}}'

Playwright tools available to Claude Code

Playwright's stored tool list documents 1 tool; compare it with Claude Code's connected tool list, because the stored list is not a live check.

playwright_resize

For Playwright's playwright_resize, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

Change browser dimensions or select a device preset and orientation.

Playwright: full stored tool descriptions

Troubleshooting Playwright in Claude Code

• If Playwright MCP Server fails to start, check npx @executeautomation/playwright-mcp-server (Node.js/npm), the working directory, and Claude Code's selected scope; inspect claude mcp list and /mcp.
• Playwright MCP Server uses stdio here: Claude Code must keep the configured process running; protocol output belongs on stdout and diagnostics on stderr.
• Known limitation: HTTP clients must explicitly set their transport type correctly.
• Known limitation: The HTTP service binds locally; remote access needs an additional approach such as SSH tunneling.
• General Claude Code troubleshooting lives in the /clients/claude-code guide.

Frequently asked questions