Model Context Protocol server for Firefox DevTools - enables AI assistants to inspect and control Firefox browser through WebDriver BiDi
# Firefox DevTools MCP
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[](LICENSE-MIT) [](LICENSE-APACHE)
<a href="https://glama.ai/mcp/servers/@mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp"><img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/8655/a78a7d97ae218a4638aa3f14a824feef8d0e205b36490113ed8fa15dac83148a.png" height="223" alt="Glama"></a>
Model Context Protocol server for automating Firefox via WebDriver BiDi (through Selenium WebDriver). Works with Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, Cline and other MCP clients.
Repository: https://github.com/mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp
> **Note**: This MCP server requires a local Firefox browser installation and cannot run on cloud hosting services like glama.ai. Use `npx @mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp@latest` to run locally, or use Docker with the provided Dockerfile.
## Security
Browser MCP servers carry inherent risks. A few key practices:
- **Use a dedicated Firefox profile.** Never run the server against your regular profile — the agent has access to whatever the browser can reach, including cookies and saved sessions.
- **Be cautious about which sites you visit.** Pages can return content designed to manipulate the agent (prompt injection). Stick to sites you control or trust.
- **Enable only the tool modules you need.** The default `basic` preset already includes `evaluate_script`; `--tool-preset slim` drops it. Higher presets such as `--tool-preset developer` (debugging, network, console, profiler) and `--tool-preset mozilla` (privileged context) expand what the agent can do further.
See [SECURITY.md](https://github.com/mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp/blob/main/SECURITY.md) for a full breakdown of risks and how to report vulnerabilities.
## Requirements
- Node.js ≥ 20.19.0
- Firefox 100+ installed (auto‑detected, or pass `--firefox-path`)
## Install and use with Claude Code or Codex (npx)
Recommended: use `npx` so you run the latest published version from npm.
### Option A — CLI
#### Claude Code
```bash
claude mcp add firefox-devtools npx @mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp@latest
# Headless + viewport via args
claude mcp add firefox-devtools npx @mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp@latest -- --headless --viewport 1280x720
# Or via environment variables
claude mcp add firefox-devtools npx @mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp@latest \
--env START_URL=https://example.com \
--env FIREFOX_HEADLESS=true
```
#### Codex
```bash
codex mcp add firefox-devtools -- npx @mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp@latest
# Headless + viewport via args
codex mcp add firefox-devtools -- \
npx @mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp@latest -- --headless --viewport 1280x720
# Or via environment variables
codex mcp add firefox-devtools \
--env START_URL=https://example.com \
--env FIREFOX_HEADLESS=true \
-- npx @mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp@latest
```
### Option B — Edit the configuration file
#### Claude Code
Add to Claude Code’s mcp_settings.json:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"firefox-devtools": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp@latest", "--headless", "--viewport", "1280x720"],
"env": {
"START_URL": "about:blank"
}
}
}
}
```
#### Codex
Add to ~/.codex/config.toml:
```toml
[mcp_servers.firefox-devtools]
command = "npx"
args = ["-y", "@mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp@latest", "--headless", "--viewport", "1280x720"]
[mcp_servers.firefox-devtools.env]
START_URL = "about:blank"
```
### Option C — Helper script (local dev build)
```bash
npm run setup
# Choose Claude Code; the script saves JSON to the right path
```
## Try it with MCP Inspector
```bash
npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector npx @mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp@latest --start-url https://example.com --headless
```
Then call tools like:
- `list_pages`, `select_page`, `navigate_page`
- `take_snapshot` then `click_by_uid` / `fill_by_uid`
- `list_network_requests` (always‑on capture), `get_network_request`
- `list_downloads` (always‑on capture), `set_download_behavior`
- `screenshot_page`, `list_console_messages`
## CLI options
You can pass flags or environment variables (names on the right):
- `--firefox-path` — absolute path to Firefox binary
- `--headless` — run without UI (`FIREFOX_HEADLESS=true`)
- `--viewport 1280x720` — initial window size
- `--profile-path` — use a specific Firefox profile
- `--firefox-arg` — extra Firefox arguments (repeatable)
- `--start-url` — open this URL on start (`START_URL`)
- `--accept-insecure-certs` — ignore TLS errors (`ACCEPT_INSECURE_CERTS=true`)
- `--connect-existing` — attach to an already-running Firefox instead of launching a new one (`CONNECT_EXISTING=true`)
- `--marionette-port` — Marionette port for connect-existing mode, default 2828 (`MARIONETTE_PORT`)
- `--pref name=value` — set Firefox preference at startup via `moz:firefoxOptions` (repeatable)
- `--tool-preset` — select which tool modules to enable: `slim`, `basic` (default), `developer`, `mozilla`, or `all`. See [Tool modules and presets](#tool-modules-and-presets). (`TOOL_PRESET`)
- `--tools` — explicit list of tool modules to enable, overriding `--tool-preset` entirely (e.g. `--tools pages network script`). See [Tool modules and presets](#tool-modules-and-presets).
- `--enable-script` — _deprecated, use `--tool-preset developer` or `--tools ... script debugging`._ Selects the `developer` tool preset. (`ENABLE_SCRIPT=true`)
- `--enable-privileged-context` — _deprecated, use `--tool-preset mozilla` or `--tools ... privileged prefs`._ Selects the `mozilla` tool preset. Requires `MOZ_REMOTE_ALLOW_SYSTEM_ACCESS=1` (`ENABLE_PRIVILEGED_CONTEXT=true`)
- `--android-device` — enable Firefox for Android mode; value is the ADB device serial (e.g. `emulator-5554`). Run `adb devices` to list connected devices. Omit the value or use `auto` to select the single connected device automatically.
- `--android-wipe-app-data` — confirm that Android mode wipes all data of the target app. Required together with `--android-device`. (`ANDROID_WIPE_APP_DATA=true`)
- `--android-package` — Android app package name, default `org.mozilla.firefox`. Other packages: `org.mozilla.firefox_beta` for Firefox Beta, `org.mozilla.fenix` for Firefox Nightly, `org.mozilla.fenix.debug` for Firefox Nightly Debug, `org.mozilla.geckoview_example` for geckoview (`ANDROID_PACKAGE`)
- `--unrestricted-save-paths` — let the `saveTo` parameter write anywhere on disk instead of the default roots. See [Saving bulky output to disk](#saving-bulky-output-to-disk) and the security note in [SECURITY.md](https://github.com/mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp/blob/main/SECURITY.md). (`UNRESTRICTED_SAVE_PATHS=true`)
- `--log-file` — write MCP server logs to a file instead of stderr. Useful for debugging sessions with MCP clients that hide server output. Set `DEBUG=*` to also include verbose debug logs. Example: `--log-file /tmp/firefox-mcp.log`
### Tool modules and presets
Tools are grouped into modules. You choose which modules to expose either with a named preset
(`--tool-preset`) or with an explicit list (`--tools`). When both are given, `--tools` wins and
the preset is ignored.
Modules: `pages`, `snapshot`, `input`, `network`, `console`, `screenshot`, `downloads`,
`utilities`, `management`, `webextension`, `profiler`, `screencast`, `script`, `debugging`,
`prefs`, `privileged`.
Presets (each is a superset of the previous):
- `slim` — `pages`, `snapshot`, `input`, `screenshot`
- `basic` (default) — `slim` plus `downloads`, `script`, `utilities`, `management`, `webextension`, `screencast`
- `developer` — `basic` plus `debugging`, `network`, `console`, `profiler`
- `mozilla` — `developer` plus `prefs`, `privileged`
- `all` — every module
Note that `basic`, the default, includes `script` and therefore the `evaluate_script` tool.
See [SECURITY.md](https://github.com/mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp/blob/main/SECURITY.md#tool-modules-and-presets) for what that means for the attack
surface, and use `--tool-preset slim` or an explicit `--tools` list to drop it.
```bash
# Use the developer preset (adds network, console, debugging and profiler tools)
npx @mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp --tool-preset developer
# Enable only the modules you need
npx @mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp --tools pages network console
```
The `prefs` and `privileged` modules require `MOZ_REMOTE_ALLOW_SYSTEM_ACCESS=1` and are only
available in the Mozilla-internal build. The public package skips them even if requested and
logs a warning naming the modules it dropped.
### Useful preferences (`--pref`)
- remote.prefs.recommended=false. When Firefox runs in automation, it applies [RecommendedPreferences](https://searchfox.org/firefox-main/source/remote/shared/RecommendedPreferences.sys.mjs) that modify browser behavior for testing. Set remote.prefs.recommended to false to skip those and have a configuration closer to a regular Firefox instance.
- remote.log.level=Trace. Enable verbose WebDriver protocol logs in Firefox. The MCP server will automatically pass the matching log level to geckodriver so both sides log at the same verbosity.
- app.update.disabledForTesting=false. Allow Firefox to automatically download and apply updates. Note that updates may interrupt your session. Requires also setting remote.prefs.recommended=false.
### Firefox for Android
Use `--android-device` to automate Firefox running on an Android device. Requires `adb` on your PATH and geckodriver, which is managed automatically.
> **Warning:** Android mode wipes all data of the target app before every session.
> Tabs, history, bookmarks, passwords, cookies and settings are all lost. geckodriver runs
> `adb shell pm clear <package>` when creating the session and offers no way to skip it,
> then runs the session on its own temporary profile which is deleted afterwards.
> Because of this, `--android-device` requires `--android-wipe-app-data`, and you should
> install a build dedicated to automation rather than automating the browser you use.
> [Bug 2064088](https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=2064088) tracks adding an
> option to geckodriver to keep the existing app data.
```bash
# List connected devices
adb devices
# Launch Firefox for Android on the single connected device
npx @mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp --android-device auto --android-wipe-app-data
# Target a specific device
npx @mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp --android-device <serial> --android-wipe-app-data
# Use Firefox Nightly instead
npx @mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp --android-device <serial> --android-package org.mozilla.fenix --android-wipe-app-data
```
Port forwarding between the host and device is handled automatically by geckodriver.
### Connect to existing Firefox
Use `--connect-existing` to automate your real browsing session, with cookies, logins, and open tabs intact:
```bash
# Start Firefox with Marionette and the Remote Agent (BiDi)
firefox --marionette --remote-debugging-port
# Run the MCP server
npx @mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp --connect-existing --marionette-port 2828
```
Both flags are required because the MCP uses both WebDriver Classic (`--marionette`) and WebDriver BiDi (`--remote-debugging-port`). If Firefox is only started with `--marionette`, the MCP server fails to connect and asks you to restart Firefox with both flags.
> **Warning:** Do not leave Marionette enabled during normal browsing. It sets
> `navigator.webdriver = true` and changes other browser fingerprint signals,
> which can trigger bot detection on sites protected by Cloudflare, Akamai, etc.
> Only enable Marionette when you need MCP automation, then restart Firefox
> normally afterward.
## Tool overview
See [docs/tools.md](https://github.com/mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp/blob/main/docs/tools.md) for the full list of tools by module, with
descriptions and parameters (generated from the source).
- Pages: list/new/navigate/select/close/get_page_text (get_page_text supports optional `saveTo`)
- Snapshot/UID: take/resolve/clear (take supports optional `saveTo`)
- Input: click/hover/fill/drag/upload/form fill/press_key/type_text
- Network: list/get (ID‑first, filters, always‑on capture; both support optional `saveTo`)
- Downloads: list_downloads/clear_downloads (always‑on capture), set_download_behavior (allow/deny/default)
- Console: list/clear (list supports optional `saveTo`)
- Screenshot: page/by uid (with optional `saveTo` for CLI environments)
- Script: evaluate_script (optional `sandbox` for an isolated realm; optional `saveTo` for bulky results)
- Privileged Context: list/select privileged ("chrome") contexts, evaluate_privileged_script (requires `MOZ_REMOTE_ALLOW_SYSTEM_ACCESS=1`)
- WebExtension: install_extension, uninstall_extension, list_extensions (list requires `MOZ_REMOTE_ALLOW_SYSTEM_ACCESS=1`)
- Firefox Management: get_firefox_info, get_firefox_output, restart_firefox
- Firefox Preferences: get_firefox_prefs, set_firefox_prefs (requires `MOZ_REMOTE_ALLOW_SYSTEM_ACCESS=1`)
- Profiler: profiler_is_active, profiler_start (preset or explicit config), profiler_stop (saves profile to downloads directory)
- Screencast: screencast_start (records the page viewport to a video file in the downloads directory), screencast_stop (requires Firefox 154+)
- Utilities: accept/dismiss dialog, history back/forward, set viewport
### Saving bulky output to disk
Large tool output can consume significant context in CLI clients like Claude Code. The
`screenshot_page`, `screenshot_by_uid`, `take_snapshot`, `list_console_messages`,
`list_network_requests`, `get_network_request`, `get_page_text`,
`evaluate_script`, and
`evaluate_privileged_script` tools accept an optional `saveTo` parameter that writes the
result to a file instead of returning it inline. `saveTo` takes one of three forms:
- a file path (relative to the current working directory, or absolute within `~/.firefox-devtools-mcp`; parent directories are created)
- an existing directory (a timestamped file is generated inside it)
- `true` (a timestamped file is generated under `~/.firefox-devtools-mcp/output/`)
The response returns the path and byte size. The saved file always holds the full,
untruncated data: the inline size safeguards (console message caps, network header
truncation, snapshot line caps) never apply to it.
The text-producing tools (everything except the screenshots) also accept `preview`, a number
of characters of the saved output to echo back inline as a short excerpt. Screenshots have no
preview.
```
screenshot_page({ saveTo: "page.png" })
take_snapshot({ saveTo: true })
list_network_requests({ urlContains: "api", saveTo: "network.json" })
evaluate_script({ function: "() => performance.getEntries()", saveTo: true, preview: 2000 })
```
By default, save paths are restricted: relative paths resolve against the current working
directory, and absolute paths are only allowed within `~/.firefox-devtools-mcp`. Paths that
escape these locations are rejected. Start the server with `--unrestricted-save-paths` to
write to arbitrary locations, including absolute paths outside that directory.
Saved files can then be viewed for instance with Claude Code's `Read` tool without impacting context size.
## Local development
```bash
npm install
npm run build
# Run with Inspector against local build
npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector node dist/index.js --headless --viewport 1280x720
# Or run in dev with hot reload
npm run inspector:dev
```
See [CONTRIBUTING.md](https://github.com/mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) for more details on local development, testing, and CI.
## Troubleshooting
- Firefox not found: pass `--firefox-path "/Applications/Firefox.app/Contents/MacOS/firefox"` (macOS) or the correct path on your OS.
- First run is slow: Selenium sets up the BiDi session; subsequent runs are faster.
- Stale UIDs: a UID stays valid until its element is removed or the page navigates; take a fresh snapshot (`take_snapshot`) when a UID tool reports one is gone.
- Windows 10: Error during discovery for MCP server 'firefox-devtools': MCP error -32000: Connection closed
- **Solution 1** Wrap with `cmd /c` ([details](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers/issues/1082#issuecomment-2791786310)):
```json
"mcpServers": {
"firefox-devtools": {
"command": "cmd",
"args": ["/c", "npx", "-y", "@mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp@latest"]
}
}
```
- **Solution 2** Use the absolute path to `npx` (adjust extension — `.cmd`, `.bat`, `.exe`, or `.ps1` — to match your setup):
```json
"mcpServers": {
"firefox-devtools": {
"command": "C:\\nvm4w\\nodejs\\npx.ps1",
"args": ["-y", "@mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp@latest"]
}
}
```
## Versioning
- Pre‑1.0 API: versions start at `0.x`. Use `@latest` with npx for the newest release.
## Contributing
See [CONTRIBUTING.md](https://github.com/mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) for how to file issues, run tests, and work on the project locally.
## Author
Maintained by [Mozilla](https://www.mozilla.org).
## License
Licensed under either of [MIT](https://github.com/mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp/blob/main/LICENSE-MIT) or [Apache 2.0](https://github.com/mozilla/firefox-devtools-mcp/blob/main/LICENSE-APACHE) at your option.