> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://tbd-6fc993ce-cj-profile-state.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Introduction

> Browsers-as-a-service API for web agents, automations, and more

Kernel is a developer platform that provides Crazy Fast Browsers-as-a-Service for browser automations and web agents. Our API and MCP server allow you to instantly launch browsers in the cloud without managing infrastructure.

## Connect over CDP

If you are already familiar with browser vendors, you can immediately start using our browsers with `kernel.browsers.create()`. We return a **CDP url** that you can connect any Playwright or Puppeteer automation to.

<Info>
  Install the Kernel SDK with `npm install @onkernel/sdk` or `uv pip install kernel`
</Info>

<CodeGroup>
  ```typescript Typescript/Javascript theme={null}
  import Kernel from '@onkernel/sdk';
  import { chromium } from 'playwright';

  const kernel = new Kernel();

  const kernelBrowser = await kernel.browsers.create();
  const browser = await chromium.connectOverCDP(kernelBrowser.cdp_ws_url);
  ```

  ```python Python theme={null}
  from kernel import Kernel
  from playwright.async_api import async_playwright

  kernel = Kernel()

  kernel_browser = kernel.browsers.create()
  async with async_playwright() as playwright:
      browser = await playwright.chromium.connect_over_cdp(kernel_browser.cdp_ws_url)
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Kernel app platform

If you're new to building web agents or browser automations, our platform provides a full-featured code execution platform for hosting and invoking your automations in production. Follow our [quickstart guide](/quickstart#getting-started) to get started.

You can also use Kernel without installing anything in [our playground](https://dashboard.onkernel.com/playground).

## Why Kernel?

Developers love our platform for its performance, developer experience, and all the other niceties that would otherwise be impractical to homeroll yourself:

* **Serverless browsers** - Connect your web automation to our cloud-based browsers without managing infrastructure
* **Session state** - Securely reuse auth cookies and session state via [Profiles](/browsers/profiles). Browsers can run for up to 72 hours via [timeout configuration](/browsers/termination)
* **Live view** - Support human-in-the-loop workflows
* **Replays** - Review past browser sessions as video replays
* **Full isolation** - Kernel browsers are sandboxed in individual, isolated virtual machines
* **Parallel scaling** - Run hundreds or thousands of concurrent browsers at scale
* **Simple, predictable pricing** - We only charge for active browser time