Chrome Extension
Install and configure the Foxl Chrome Extension for real browser control
The Chrome Extension is what gives Foxl access to your real Chrome browser with all your logged-in sessions. It connects your browser to the desktop agent via WebSocket.
Installation
The extension is not yet on the Chrome Web Store. Manual installation is required.
Step 1: Locate the Extension
The extension files are bundled with the Foxl desktop app. After installing Foxl, find the extension in the application bundle.
Step 2: Load in Chrome
- Open Chrome and go to
chrome://extensions - Enable Developer mode (toggle in the top-right corner)
- Click Load unpacked
- Select the
chrome-extensionfolder from your Foxl installation
Step 3: Verify Connection
Once loaded, you should see the Foxl icon in your Chrome toolbar. The icon shows:
- Green: Connected to the desktop agent
- Gray: Not connected (desktop app may not be running)
What the Extension Does
Tab Management
The agent can open, close, switch between, and group your Chrome tabs. This lets it navigate between multiple sites during complex tasks.
Accessibility Tree
The extension extracts the accessibility tree from any page — a structured representation of all interactive elements (buttons, links, inputs, headings). This is how the agent "sees" and understands web pages.
Interaction
The agent can click buttons, type into input fields, scroll pages, and submit forms — all in your real Chrome browser with your actual sessions.
Visual Indicators
When the agent interacts with a page, visual highlights show exactly what it's clicking or typing. You can watch the agent work in real-time.
Screenshots
The extension can capture screenshots of any tab, which the agent uses for visual understanding and verification.
Side Panel
Click the Foxl icon in the Chrome toolbar to open the side panel. The side panel provides:
- Connection status to the desktop agent
- Recent agent activity
- Quick access to settings
Security
The extension communicates with the desktop agent over a local WebSocket connection (localhost only). It does not send any data to external servers.
- All communication is local (localhost WebSocket)
- The extension only activates when the desktop agent requests it
- Financial sites are blocked by default
- You can review all extension permissions in Chrome's extension settings
Troubleshooting
Extension shows "Disconnected"
Make sure the Foxl desktop app is running. The extension connects to the local agent server.
Extension not appearing in Chrome
Verify that Developer mode is enabled and the extension loaded without errors in chrome://extensions.
Pages not responding to agent commands
Some pages block automation (CAPTCHA, certain SPAs). Try refreshing the page. The agent may fall back to the Playwright-based browser tool for these cases.