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Browser Use builds a task that collects data in your own browser, through the Octoparse browser extension. Because it uses your browser, it can reach data you see when you’re signed in to a site.
Browser Use is in Beta.

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When to use Browser Use

Browser Use is a good fit when:
  • The data is only visible after you sign in
  • You need data once, or now and then, rather than on a schedule
  • The collection is fairly simple, such as a list of results and a few fields
For data you need on a schedule, or collection that should keep running with your computer off, use Cloud Agent.

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Install Octoparse in Chrome

Browser Use needs the Octoparse extension.
  1. Install Octoparse in Chrome from the Chrome Web Store.
  2. Make sure the extension is turned on.
  3. Open AI Assistant and open the mode selector at the bottom left of the input box. Browser Use shows Extension installed when it’s ready. If it shows Get the browser extension instead, the extension isn’t installed or turned on.

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How Browser Use collects data

Like Cloud Agent, Browser Use explores the site and writes the collection rules. Then Octoparse in Chrome follows those rules in your own browser, so it can use the sites you’re signed in to. See How AI Assistant works. Browser Use is built for speed. It spends less time exploring and checking than Cloud Agent, so check the preview before it starts collecting.
As with Cloud Agent, the more detail you give, the less you’ll need to adjust later. See Describe your data.

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Build a task with Browser Use

1

Pick Browser Use

Describe what you need in AI Assistant. Select Browser Use when AI Assistant recommends it. To use it from the start, pick it in the mode selector when you start a new chat.
2

Let it explore the site

AI Assistant moves to the task page and opens the site in your browser. You can follow each step in the chat. Keep your browser open while it works.
3

Review the plan and start collecting

When it has found the data, AI Assistant shows a preview and a collection plan. Check that the fields and sample data are what you want, then confirm to start collecting. If something’s off, tell it what to change.
4

Watch the progress

The data appears in a preview as it’s collected. You can Pause the run, then Continue or Restart it. When it’s done, select View all data.
The task is saved to your task list. To run it again or change it, see Manage AI tasks.

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Sign-ins and human checks

If the site asks you to sign in, or to confirm you’re a person, AI Assistant shows Sign in to continue or Blocked by a human check and opens the site in a new tab.
  1. Sign in, or complete the check, on that tab.
  2. Come back to AI Assistant and select Continue.

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Limits

  • Browser Use tasks run only in your own browser, never on Octoparse Cloud.
  • They can’t be scheduled. Run them yourself when you need fresh data.
  • Your browser must stay open while a task is building or running.
  • The data you collect counts toward your plan’s limits.
  • Heavily protected sites may block the task.

Cloud Agent

Build a scraper that runs on Octoparse Cloud, on a schedule.

Troubleshooting

What to do when the extension isn’t reachable or a build fails.