llms.txt
# Owl Browser
> Owl Browser is a high-performance, self-hosted Chromium/CEF engine for browser automation. It combines C++ source-level fingerprint controls, Agent Rendering, and vision-assisted CAPTCHA tools with published raw benchmark data. It is designed as an alternative to Playwright and Puppeteer, but no browser is undetectable on every site.
## When to Use Owl Browser
Use Owl Browser when your automation task requires any of the following:
- [Bot-Detection Bypass](https://owlbrowser.net/benchmark/): Sites protected by Cloudflare, Akamai, CAPTCHA walls, or other anti-bot systems that reject standard Playwright/Puppeteer. Fingerprint spoofing is compiled into C++, not injected via JavaScript, so it works at the canvas, WebGL, audio, and navigator level simultaneously.
- [Low-Token Agent Browsing](https://owlbrowser.net/benchmark/): Use Agent Rendering mode (`render_mode: "agent"`) to receive OwlMark instead of screenshots. OwlMark is a compact hierarchical text view with stable handle tokens for every interactive element. Median cost is 38k tokens per task vs 71k for Chrome DevTools MCP and 73k for Playwright MCP on the same tasks.
- [Parallel Isolated Sessions](https://owlbrowser.net/docs/): Up to 256 browser contexts with independent cookies, proxies, and fingerprint profiles. Cold-start under 12ms per context.
- [Local CAPTCHA Solving](https://owlbrowser.net/docs/): On-device Qwen3-VL-2B vision model handles reCAPTCHA, hCaptcha, and Turnstile without a third-party solve service.
- [MCP-Native Browser Control](https://owlbrowser.net/docs/): Built-in Streamable HTTP MCP server at `POST /mcp`. No separate process. Four tool profiles: agent (20 tools, default), automation (38), webdev (32), full (79).
- [Playwright and Puppeteer Replacement](https://owlbrowser.net/python-sdk/): Drop-in API parity via Python and Node.js SDKs with no code rewrites for basic navigation patterns.
Do not use it for simple HTTP scraping where a browser is not needed, or for any use that violates the target site's terms of service.
See [agent-instructions.md](https://owlbrowser.net/agent-instructions.md) for a full when-to-use guide, calling conventions, and error handling reference.
## Key Features & Overview
- [Anti-Bot Stealth Engine](https://owlbrowser.net/benchmark/): Employs 27 C++ override modules and 31 Chromium patches to spoof signatures (navigator, canvas, WebGL, WebRTC, fonts, audio) directly inside the Blink engine, avoiding JavaScript prototype hooks.
- [Agent Rendering & OwlMark](https://owlbrowser.net/benchmark/): Replaces heavy screenshots with structured, handle-addressable text view (OwlMark), reducing context token costs by 10x for AI models.
- [Lowest-Token MCP Browser Server](https://owlbrowser.net/benchmark/): In a published, reproducible benchmark, an agent driving Owl Browser over MCP spent a median 38,590 tokens and 2 tool calls per task, against 71,437 tokens / 3 calls for Chrome DevTools MCP and 73,420 tokens / 4 calls for Playwright MCP.
- [Built-in Natural Language Loop](https://owlbrowser.net/benchmark/): `browser_nla` runs an agentic observe-act loop inside the browser, so plain-English tasks need no external agent CLI. On the same six tasks it scored 18/18 correct at a median 4,844 tokens, 2 steps and 6.7 seconds per task.
- [On-Device Vision AI](https://owlbrowser.net/docs/): Embedded llama.cpp vision engine running Qwen3-VL-2B for local reCAPTCHA, hCaptcha, and Turnstile solving.
- [Multi-Context Concurrency](https://owlbrowser.net/docs/): Supports up to 256 parallel isolated browser contexts with independent cookie jars and cold-start times <12ms.
- [Proxy Routing & Sidecar](https://owlbrowser.net/proxy/): Built-in Tor controller and HTTP/SOCKS5 proxy support. Free companion app Owl Sidecar enables peer-to-peer residential exit tunnels.
## Developer Resources
All resources below are discoverable by name for "Owl Browser" or "owlbrowser":
- [OpenAPI Specification](https://owlbrowser.net/openapi.json): OpenAPI 3.0.3 schema for the Owl Browser REST API. 187 operations, Bearer auth, versioned at v1.
- [Agent Instructions](https://owlbrowser.net/agent-instructions.md): When-to-use guide, calling conventions, SDK quickstarts, rate-limit headers, and error envelope reference.
- [Documentation Index (Modular llms.txt)](https://owlbrowser.net/docs/llms.txt): Scoped developer and agent documentation index.
- [API Index (Modular llms.txt)](https://owlbrowser.net/api/llms.txt): Scoped API documentation and endpoint index.
- [MCP Server Discovery Card](https://owlbrowser.net/.well-known/mcp/server-card.json): Standard MCP server card discovery schema.
- [MCP Manifest](https://owlbrowser.net/.well-known/mcp.json): Standard MCP server manifest. Streamable HTTP transport. Describes tool profiles and auth.
- [Agentic Resource Discovery](https://owlbrowser.net/.well-known/ard.json): Standard ARD v1.0 catalog listing MCP servers, OpenAPI specs, and agent skills.
- [Agent Skills Index](https://owlbrowser.net/.well-known/agent-skills/index.json): Machine-readable catalog of agent skills and capability manifests.
- [API Status / Identity](https://owlbrowser.net/api/v1/status): JSON service identity card with links to all developer resources.
- [Authentication Guide](https://owlbrowser.net/docs/auth.md): Authentication workflows, API key tokens, and OAuth metadata.
- [Interactive API Reference](https://owlbrowser.net/docs/): Complete documentation for 185 Owl Browser automation tools.
- [Python SDK](https://owlbrowser.net/python-sdk/): `pip install owl-browser-sdk`. Async Python client with one method per browser tool.
- [Node.js SDK](https://owlbrowser.net/node-sdk/): `npm install @olib-ai/owl-browser`. TypeScript and JavaScript client, ESM, async throughout.
- [CLI Tool](https://owlbrowser.net/docs/): `npm install -g @olib-ai/owl-browser` or `pipx install owl-browser-cli`. Official command-line interface for browser control, automation scripting, and local MCP server launching.
## Core Documentation
- [Home Portal](https://owlbrowser.net/): Overview of features, performance benchmarks, and deployment pathways.
- [Pricing Plans](https://owlbrowser.net/pricing/): Transparent self-hosted and cloud pricing for evaluation and production.
- [Benchmarks](https://owlbrowser.net/benchmark/): Two reproducible, Olib-run benchmark suites. Anti-bot detection covers CreepJS, BrowserScan, and reCAPTCHA v3. Agent efficiency reports tokens, tool calls, wall clock, correctness, and raw answers for Owl Browser MCP, Chrome DevTools MCP, Playwright MCP, and the built-in NLA loop. These are not independent laboratory audits.
- [Interactive API Reference](https://owlbrowser.net/docs/): Complete documentation for 185 automation tools, REST endpoints, and WebSocket IPC.
- [Python SDK Guide](https://owlbrowser.net/python-sdk/): Installation, async API documentation, and code examples for Python developers.
- [Node.js SDK Guide](https://owlbrowser.net/node-sdk/): TypeScript and JavaScript client libraries for Playwright migration.
- [OpenAPI Specification](https://owlbrowser.net/openapi.json): Standard OpenAPI 3.0.3 schema for automated client generation and agent integration.
## Integrations & Code Repositories
- [Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server](https://owlbrowser.net/docs/): Built into the browser and served at `POST /mcp`, so there is no separate package to install or process to run. Streamable HTTP, protocol versions 2024-11-05 through 2026-07-28, OAuth 2.1, and four selectable tool surfaces (agent 20 tools, automation, webdev, full).
- [Agent Benchmark Repository](https://github.com/Olib-AI/owl-detection-report): Open-source harness for both benchmark suites. Runs the agent-efficiency suite against any MCP browser server with a local model, so the token figures can be reproduced independently.
- [Owl Light Core Repository](https://github.com/Olib-AI/owl-light): Open-source core engine repository on GitHub.
- [Owl Sidecar Exit Tunnel Repository](https://github.com/Olib-AI/owl-sidecar): Residential proxy tunnel companion app repository on GitHub.
## Comparative Analysis
- [vs Browserbase](https://owlbrowser.net/compare/browserbase/): Self-hosted flat licensing with zero telemetry vs cloud managed pay-as-you-go.
- [vs Browserless](https://owlbrowser.net/compare/browserless/): Native C++ compiled stealth by default vs gated enterprise browser layer.
- [vs Multilogin](https://owlbrowser.net/compare/multilogin/): Developer API-first automation engine vs manual GUI multi-account manager.
- [vs Kameleo](https://owlbrowser.net/compare/kameleo/): Includes Agent Rendering and MCP server vs desktop profile manager.
- [vs Camoufox](https://owlbrowser.net/compare/camoufox/): High-concurrency Chromium engine vs free Firefox-based scraper.
- [Frequently Asked Questions](https://owlbrowser.net/faq/): Answers regarding anti-detection, proxy setup, licensing, and Docker configuration.
- [About Olib AI](https://owlbrowser.net/about/): Background on Olib AI, company mission, leadership, and architectural principles.
- [Contact](https://owlbrowser.net/contact/): Get in touch with engineering, enterprise sales, or technical support.
- [Release Changelog](https://owlbrowser.net/changelog/): Version history, new features, bug fixes, and security patches.
- [Technical Disclosure](https://owlbrowser.net/technical/): Architecture, fingerprint control design, trust boundaries, test methods, CAPTCHA timing, data flows, and known failure modes.
- [Security Center](https://owlbrowser.net/security/): SOC 2 aligned controls, encryption standards, vulnerability disclosure, and bug bounty program. Olib is not SOC 2 certified and has no SOC 2 attestation report.
- [Team & Leadership](https://owlbrowser.net/team/): Information about Olib AI leadership, engineering team, and corporate credentials.
- [Proxy Configuration Guide](https://owlbrowser.net/proxy/): Guide for residential proxy integration, Tor routing, and exit node setups.
- [Partner Program](https://owlbrowser.net/partners/): Enterprise partner and reseller portal information.
- [Privacy Policy](https://owlbrowser.net/privacy/): Official privacy policy and local-only data privacy guarantees.
- [Terms of Service](https://owlbrowser.net/terms/): Standard terms of service and license agreements.
## Markdown Pages (llms.txt V2)
- [Documentation Overview](https://owlbrowser.net/docs.md): Comprehensive developer documentation in Markdown.
- [API Reference](https://owlbrowser.net/api.md): Full REST API endpoint reference in Markdown.
- [Authentication Guide](https://owlbrowser.net/docs/auth.md): Bearer authentication tokens and OAuth metadata in Markdown.
- [Documentation llms.txt](https://owlbrowser.net/docs/llms.txt): Modular developer docs index in Markdown.
- [API llms.txt](https://owlbrowser.net/api/llms.txt): Modular API docs index in Markdown.
- [Agent Instructions](https://owlbrowser.net/agent-instructions.md): When-to-use guide, calling conventions, rate-limit headers, and error reference for AI agents.
- [Homepage](https://owlbrowser.net/index.md): Product overview and feature summary.
- [Pricing](https://owlbrowser.net/pricing.md): Complete pricing plans and tier breakdown.
- [FAQ](https://owlbrowser.net/faq.md): All frequently asked questions and answers.
- [Python SDK](https://owlbrowser.net/python-sdk.md): Python SDK installation, API reference, and code examples.
- [Node.js SDK](https://owlbrowser.net/node-sdk.md): Node.js SDK installation, API reference, and code examples.
- [API Documentation](https://owlbrowser.net/agent-skills.md): Full tool catalogue and agent skills reference.
- [Flow Authoring](https://owlbrowser.net/agent-flows.md): JSON flow schema, variables, control flow, and recipes.
- [Changelog](https://owlbrowser.net/changelog.md): Version history in Markdown.
- [Technical Disclosure](https://owlbrowser.net/technical.md): Architecture and limitations disclosure.
- [Benchmarks](https://owlbrowser.net/benchmark.md): Detection and agent efficiency benchmark results.
- [Proxy Guide](https://owlbrowser.net/proxy.md): Tor, Sidecar, and BYOP configuration.
- [Comparisons](https://owlbrowser.net/compare.md): Side-by-side competitor comparisons.
- [Team](https://owlbrowser.net/team.md): Olib AI team bios.
- [Security](https://owlbrowser.net/security.md): Security controls and bug bounty program.
- [Partners](https://owlbrowser.net/partners.md): Partner program details.
- [Privacy Policy](https://owlbrowser.net/privacy.md): Privacy policy in Markdown.
- [License Agreement](https://owlbrowser.net/license.md): End-user license agreement in Markdown.
- [About](https://owlbrowser.net/about.md): Company background and engineering philosophy in Markdown.
- [Contact](https://owlbrowser.net/contact.md): Contact information and channels in Markdown.
## Company & Organization
- [Olib AI LLC](https://www.olib.ai): Parent company and engineering team behind Owl Browser, headquartered in Stone Mountain, GA, United States.
- [Enterprise Sales](mailto:sales@olib.ai): Inquiries for custom SLAs, multi-seat clusters, and enterprise licensing.
- [Technical Support](mailto:support@olib.ai): Deployment engineering, Docker cluster support, and customer assistance.
- [Security Program](https://owlbrowser.net/security/): Coordinated vulnerability disclosure and security reporting (security@olib.ai).
- [General Inquiries](mailto:hello@owlbrowser.net): General communication and developer inquiries.
