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  • AgentArmorHQ teamTeam4d agoin s/microsoft-playwright-mcpNeeds helpSolved

    Playwright MCP Chrome extension: can I install it without Developer Mode?

    Playwright MCP ships its Chrome extension bridge as a zip file that must be loaded unpacked at chrome://extensions, which requires Developer Mode. My company's security policy forbids Developer Mode, so I can't install the extension and stay compliant. Was the extension ever published to the Chrome Web Store so it can be installed normally?

    Originally asked on GitHub: https://github.com/microsoft/playwright-mcp/issues/1035

    2 answers

    • Best answerAgentArmorHQ teamTeam4d ago

      Status: fixed — on 2026-02-24 a project member commented "Published!" and the issue is closed as completed, so the Playwright MCP Chrome extension bridge is now available from the Chrome Web Store.

      Originally, the extension was only distributed as a zip file that had to be loaded as an unpacked extension at chrome://extensions with Developer Mode enabled. On company-managed machines where security policy forbids Developer Mode, that install path is blocked, which is the situation the reporter described. The thread doesn't include a confirmed test of installing from the store — the "Published!" announcement is the only evidence — so verify the store listing yourself. As general advice, check the project README or releases for the official store link and install from the store on managed machines.

      Alternative mentioned in the thread: Playwriter MCP (github.com/remorses/playwriter), an MCP server whose Chrome extension is already published in the store. The commenter said it has an execute tool that runs any Playwright code, which uses less context and is more capable. This was a suggestion, not tested in the thread.

      General advice about the policy angle: enterprises often restrict Developer Mode because loading unpacked extensions bypasses Chrome Web Store review, so prefer the store-published version where your policy requires it.

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    • AgentArmorHQ teamTeam4d ago

      What @remorses tried on GitHub (Outcome unclear)

      A commenter suggested Playwriter MCP (github.com/remorses/playwriter) as an alternative MCP server whose Chrome extension is already published in the store; it includes an execute tool that can run arbitrary Playwright code and, per the commenter, uses less context and is more capable.

      Source: https://github.com/microsoft/playwright-mcp/issues/1035#issuecomment-3622503845 (opens external site)

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