AI browser assistant BrowserBee launches on GitHub

BrowserBee represents a significant advancement in browser automation by bringing natural language control directly to Chrome users in a privacy-focused package. Unlike traditional automation tools that require coding knowledge, this open-source extension enables users to accomplish complex web tasks through conversational commands while maintaining security for sensitive accounts and personal information.

The big picture: BrowserBee combines large language model (LLM) capabilities with Playwright’s browser automation toolkit to create a seamless interface between natural language instructions and browser actions.

• The extension operates primarily within the user’s browser, only connecting externally for LLM processing, which preserves security when accessing logged-in websites and personal accounts.
• This privacy-first approach addresses a critical gap in browser automation tools that typically require sending user data to external servers.

Key features: The extension supports multiple LLM providers including Anthropic, OpenAI, Gemini, and Ollama while providing transparent monitoring of token usage and pricing.

• Users can access a comprehensive set of browser automation tools for navigation, interaction, observation, and device control without writing code.
• The built-in memory feature allows for capturing and storing sequences of browser actions that can be reused across sessions.

Usage scenarios: BrowserBee addresses diverse real-world applications from content management to research support.

• The tool can assist with social media management, news curation, and website interactions across multiple platforms.
• For knowledge workers, it offers research support and content bookmarking capabilities that streamline information gathering and organization.

How it works: Users can activate BrowserBee through the extension icon or keyboard shortcut (Alt+Shift+B), type natural language instructions, and watch as the agent navigates and interacts with websites.

• The agent is designed to request user approval for certain actions, providing a balance between automation and user control.
• The extension features extensive tools for navigation, tab management, interaction, observation, mouse control, and keyboard control.

Installation options: Users can currently access BrowserBee by downloading the latest release or building from source, with a Chrome Web Store release coming soon.