---
title: "Playwright MCP server – install in Claude Desktop and Cursor"
summary: "Microsoft's official Playwright MCP server that drives a real browser so an agent can navigate, click, type, and read pages."
canonical: https://unlocksaas.com/mcp-tools/playwright
updated: 2026-05-22
publisher: "Unlock SaaS"
author: "Maryan"
license: All rights reserved. Quotation with attribution permitted.
---

# Playwright MCP server

> Microsoft's official Playwright MCP server that drives a real browser so an agent can navigate, click, type, and read pages.

- Vendor: Microsoft
- Vendor URL: https://github.com/microsoft/playwright-mcp
- Category: Design and testing
- Distribution: npm package (runs locally)
- Install handle: @playwright/mcp
- Official: yes
- Access: Local, free, runs a headless or headed browser instance.

## TL;DR

Microsoft's Playwright MCP server gives an agent a real browser to drive. Unlike the Fetch server, Playwright executes JavaScript, follows interactions, and can verify rendered output. The right server when the assistant needs to actually use your live SaaS – log in, click through onboarding, screenshot a broken state.

## Why an indie SaaS founder cares

If you want Claude to verify that a fix actually works on your live landing page, walk a buyer-journey through your funnel, or screenshot what your app looks like right now, install Playwright MCP. It is the gold standard for letting an agent see and use a rendered web app.

## What an agent can do with it

- **Navigate and interact** – Open URLs, click, type, scroll – full browser interaction surface.
- **Read rendered DOM** – Inspect the rendered page including JS-hydrated content.
- **Take screenshots** – Capture screenshots for the agent to reason about or hand back to you.

## Install in Claude Desktop

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "playwright": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@playwright/mcp"]
    }
  }
}
```

## Install in Cursor

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "playwright": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@playwright/mcp"]
    }
  }
}
```

## FAQ

**Is this safe to point at authenticated pages?**

Treat the browser the agent drives as you would any tool with your session. Use a dedicated profile and scope what you log into.

Last verified: 2026-05-22.

---

Canonical URL: https://unlocksaas.com/mcp-tools/playwright
Publisher: Unlock SaaS (https://unlocksaas.com)
Contact: maryan@unlocksaas.com