# CloakBrowser [](https://www.npmjs.com/package/cloakbrowser) [](https://github.com/CloakHQ/CloakBrowser/blob/main/LICENSE) **Stealth Chromium that passes every bot detection test.** Drop-in Playwright/Puppeteer replacement. Same API, same code — just swap the import. **3 lines of code, 30 seconds to unblock.** - **71 source-level C++ patches** — canvas, WebGL, audio, fonts, GPU, screen, WebRTC, network timing, automation signals - **0.9 reCAPTCHA v3 score** — human-level, server-verified - **Passes Cloudflare Turnstile**, FingerprintJS, BrowserScan — tested against 30+ detection sites - **`npm install cloakbrowser`** — binary auto-downloads, auto-updates, zero config - **Free and open source** — no subscriptions, no usage limits - **Works with any framework** — tested with browser-use, Crawl4AI, Scrapling, Stagehand ([example](examples/stagehand.ts)), LangChain, Selenium, and more ## Install ```bash # With Playwright npm install cloakbrowser playwright-core # With Puppeteer npm install cloakbrowser puppeteer-core ``` On first launch, the stealth Chromium binary auto-downloads (~200MB, cached at `~/.cloakbrowser/`). ## Usage ### Playwright (default) ```javascript import { launch } from 'cloakbrowser'; const browser = await launch(); const page = await browser.newPage(); await page.goto('https://example.com'); console.log(await page.title()); await browser.close(); ``` **For sites with anti-bot protection**, add a residential proxy and these flags: ```javascript const browser = await launch({ proxy: 'http://user:pass@residential-proxy:port', geoip: true, // match timezone + locale to proxy IP headless: false, // some sites detect headless even with C++ patches humanize: true, // human-like mouse, keyboard, scroll }); ``` See the [main README](https://github.com/CloakHQ/CloakBrowser#troubleshooting) for site-specific troubleshooting (FingerprintJS, Kasada, reCAPTCHA). ### Puppeteer > **Note:** Playwright is recommended for sites with reCAPTCHA Enterprise. Puppeteer's CDP protocol leaks automation signals that reCAPTCHA Enterprise can detect. This is a known Puppeteer limitation, not specific to CloakBrowser. ```javascript import { launch } from 'cloakbrowser/puppeteer'; const browser = await launch(); const page = await browser.newPage(); await page.goto('https://example.com'); console.log(await page.title()); await browser.close(); ``` ### Options ```javascript import { launch, launchContext, launchPersistentContext } from 'cloakbrowser'; // With proxy (HTTP or SOCKS5) const browser = await launch({ proxy: 'http://user:pass@proxy:8080', }); const browser = await launch({ proxy: 'socks5://user:pass@proxy:1080', }); // With proxy object (bypass, separate auth fields) const browser = await launch({ proxy: { server: 'http://proxy:8080', bypass: '.google.com', username: 'user', password: 'pass' }, }); // Headed mode (visible browser window) const browser = await launch({ headless: false }); // Extra Chrome args const browser = await launch({ args: ['--fingerprint=12345'], }); // With timezone and locale const browser = await launch({ timezone: 'America/New_York', locale: 'en-US', }); // Pin an exact Chromium version (Free or Pro) const browser = await launch({ browserVersion: '146.0.7680.177.5' }); // Auto-detect timezone/locale from proxy IP (requires: npm install mmdb-lib) const browser = await launch({ proxy: 'http://proxy:8080', geoip: true, }); // Browser + context in one call (timezone/locale set via binary flags) const context = await launchContext({ userAgent: 'Custom UA', viewport: { width: 1920, height: 1080 }, locale: 'en-US', timezone: 'America/New_York', }); // Persistent profile — stay logged in, bypass incognito detection, load extensions const ctx = await launchPersistentContext({ userDataDir: './chrome-profile', headless: false, proxy: 'http://user:pass@proxy:8080', }); const page = ctx.pages()[0] || await ctx.newPage(); await page.goto('https://example.com'); await ctx.close(); // profile saved — reuse same path to restore state ``` ### Auto Timezone/Locale from Proxy IP When using a proxy, antibot systems check that your browser's timezone and locale match the proxy's location. Install `mmdb-lib` to enable auto-detection from an offline GeoIP database (~70 MB, downloaded on first use): ```bash npm install mmdb-lib ``` ```javascript // Auto-detect — timezone and locale set from proxy's IP geolocation const browser = await launch({ proxy: 'http://proxy:8080', geoip: true }); // Works with launchContext too const context = await launchContext({ proxy: 'http://proxy:8080', geoip: true }); // Explicit values always win over auto-detection const browser = await launch({ proxy: 'http://proxy:8080', geoip: true, timezone: 'Europe/London' }); ``` > **Note:** For rotating residential proxies, the DNS-resolved IP may differ from the exit IP. Pass explicit `timezone`/`locale` in those cases. ### CLI Pre-download the binary or check installation status from the command line: ```bash npx cloakbrowser install # Download binary with progress output npx cloakbrowser info # Show version, path, platform npx cloakbrowser update # Check for and download newer binary npx cloakbrowser clear-cache # Remove cached binaries ``` ### Utilities ```javascript import { ensureBinary, clearCache, binaryInfo, checkForUpdate } from 'cloakbrowser'; // Pre-download binary (e.g., during Docker build) await ensureBinary(); // Check installation console.log(binaryInfo()); // Force re-download clearCache(); // Manually check for newer Chromium version const newVersion = await checkForUpdate(); if (newVersion) console.log(`Updated to ${newVersion}`); ``` ## Test Results | Detection Service | Stock Browser | CloakBrowser | |---|---|---| | **reCAPTCHA v3** | 0.1 (bot) | **0.9** (human) | | **Cloudflare Turnstile** | FAIL | **PASS** | | **FingerprintJS** | DETECTED | **PASS** | | **BrowserScan** | DETECTED | **NORMAL** (4/4) | | **bot.incolumitas.com** | 13 fails | **1 fail** | | `navigator.webdriver` | `true` | **`false`** | | CDP detection | Detected | **Not detected** | | TLS fingerprint | Mismatch | **Identical to Chrome** | | | | **Tested against 30+ detection sites** | ## Configuration | Env Variable | Default | Description | |---|---|---| | `CLOAKBROWSER_BINARY_PATH` | — | Skip download, use a local Chromium binary | | `CLOAKBROWSER_CACHE_DIR` | `~/.cloakbrowser` | Binary cache directory | | `CLOAKBROWSER_DOWNLOAD_URL` | `cloakbrowser.dev` | Custom download URL | | `CLOAKBROWSER_AUTO_UPDATE` | `true` | Set to `false` to disable background update checks | | `CLOAKBROWSER_SKIP_CHECKSUM` | `false` | Set to `true` to skip SHA-256 verification after download | | `CLOAKBROWSER_WIDEVINE_CDM` | — | Path to a sideloaded `WidevineCdm` directory (overrides auto-detection next to the binary) | | `CLOAKBROWSER_WIDEVINE` | `1` | Set to `0` to disable automatic Widevine hint-file seeding for persistent contexts | | `CLOAKBROWSER_VERSION` | — | Pin to an exact Chromium version for rollback (e.g. `146.0.7680.177.5`). Works with Free and Pro binaries | ### Widevine / DRM The binary supports Widevine, but the CDM is proprietary and can't be redistributed. Sideload it once by copying a `WidevineCdm/` directory from a real Chrome install next to the binary (full steps in [#96](https://github.com/CloakHQ/CloakBrowser/issues/96)): ```bash cp -r /opt/google/chrome/WidevineCdm ~/.cloakbrowser/chromium-/WidevineCdm ``` With the CDM in place, `launchPersistentContext()` enables Widevine on the **first** launch — the wrapper auto-seeds the CDM hint file into the profile. This plays DRM-protected video (Netflix, Spotify Web) and makes a persistent profile present as a regular Chrome install to detection services that probe for DRM/EME support. **Linux only.** A sideloaded CDM is the opt-in (no flag); set `CLOAKBROWSER_WIDEVINE_CDM` for a custom path or `CLOAKBROWSER_WIDEVINE=0` to disable. See the [main README](https://github.com/CloakHQ/CloakBrowser#widevine--drm) for details. ## Migrate From Playwright ```diff - import { chromium } from 'playwright'; - const browser = await chromium.launch(); + import { launch } from 'cloakbrowser'; + const browser = await launch(); const page = await browser.newPage(); // ... rest of your code works unchanged ``` ## Platforms | Platform | Free | Pro | Status | |---|---|---|---| | Linux x86_64 | Chromium 146 (58 patches) | Chromium 150 (71 patches) | ✅ | | Linux arm64 (RPi, Graviton) | Chromium 146 (58 patches) | Chromium 150 (71 patches) | ✅ | | macOS arm64 (Apple Silicon) | Chromium 145 (26 patches) | Chromium 150 (71 patches) | ✅ | | macOS x86_64 (Intel) | Chromium 145 (26 patches) | Chromium 150 (71 patches) | ✅ | | Windows x86_64 | Chromium 146 (58 patches) | Chromium 150 (71 patches) | ✅ | ## CloakBrowser Pro The wrapper (Python + JS) is MIT, free forever. The binary uses a delayed free-release model: - **Free (v146)** — free forever on [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/CloakHQ/cloakbrowser/releases). Unlimited sessions. Works today, goes stale as detection evolves. - **Pro (latest, v150)** — the newest patches and Chromium upgrades first, so the [test results](#test-results) stay green as anti-bot systems change. Linux, Windows, and macOS (Apple Silicon + Intel). Anti-bot detection updates constantly — an older binary degrades within weeks. Pro keeps you on the build that's actively maintained against it. **New: try the latest Pro binary (Chromium 150) free for 7 days** — see how it performs against your targets. Cancel anytime. Activate with your license key (env var, `licenseKey` option, or `~/.cloakbrowser/license.key`): ```bash export CLOAKBROWSER_LICENSE_KEY=cb_xxxxxxxx ``` Pro plans & free trial → **[cloakbrowser.dev](https://cloakbrowser.dev)** ## Requirements - Node.js >= 20 - One of: `playwright-core` >= 1.53 or `puppeteer-core` >= 21 ## Troubleshooting **Site detects incognito / private browsing mode** By default, `launch()` opens an incognito context. Some sites (like BrowserScan) detect this. Use `launchPersistentContext()` instead — it runs with a real user profile: ```javascript import { launchPersistentContext } from 'cloakbrowser'; const ctx = await launchPersistentContext({ userDataDir: './my-profile', headless: false, }); // Load Chrome extensions const ctx = await launchPersistentContext({ userDataDir: './my-profile', headless: false, extensionPaths: ['./my-extension'], }); ``` This also gives you cookie and localStorage persistence across sessions. **reCAPTCHA v3 scores are low (0.1–0.3)** Avoid `page.waitForTimeout()` — it sends CDP protocol commands that reCAPTCHA detects. Use native sleep instead: ```javascript // Bad — sends CDP commands, reCAPTCHA detects this await page.waitForTimeout(3000); // Good — invisible to the browser await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, 3000)); ``` Other tips for maximizing reCAPTCHA scores: - **Use Playwright, not Puppeteer** — Puppeteer sends more CDP protocol traffic that reCAPTCHA detects ([details](#puppeteer)) - **Use residential proxies** — datacenter IPs are flagged by IP reputation, not browser fingerprint - **Spend 15+ seconds on the page** before triggering reCAPTCHA — short visits score lower - **Space out requests** — back-to-back `grecaptcha.execute()` calls from the same session get penalized. Wait 30+ seconds between pages with reCAPTCHA - **Use a fixed fingerprint seed** (`--fingerprint=12345`) for consistent device identity across sessions - **Use `page.type()` instead of `page.fill()`** for form filling — `fill()` sets values directly without keyboard events, which reCAPTCHA's behavioral analysis flags. `type()` with a delay simulates real keystrokes: ```javascript await page.type('#email', 'user@example.com', { delay: 50 }); ``` - **Minimize `page.evaluate()` calls** before the reCAPTCHA check fires — each one sends CDP traffic **New update broke something? Roll back to the previous version** Pin to an exact binary version (keep current wrapper, use older Chromium): ```bash export CLOAKBROWSER_VERSION=146.0.7680.177.5 # env var for all launches ``` ```javascript const browser = await launch({ browserVersion: '146.0.7680.177.5' }); ``` The pin is never sticky — unpinned launches always use the latest available version. Or point directly to a cached older binary on disk: ```bash # Linux export CLOAKBROWSER_BINARY_PATH=~/.cloakbrowser/chromium-146.0.7680.177.4/chrome # macOS export CLOAKBROWSER_BINARY_PATH=~/.cloakbrowser/chromium-145.0.7632.109.2/Chromium.app/Contents/MacOS/Chromium # Windows set CLOAKBROWSER_BINARY_PATH=%USERPROFILE%\.cloakbrowser\chromium-146.0.7680.177.4\chrome.exe ``` ## Links - 🌐 [Website](https://cloakbrowser.dev) - 🐛 [Bug reports & feature requests](https://github.com/CloakHQ/CloakBrowser/issues) - 📦 [PyPI (Python package)](https://pypi.org/project/cloakbrowser/) - 📖 [Full documentation](https://github.com/CloakHQ/CloakBrowser#readme) - 📧 Contact: ## License - **Wrapper code** (this repository) — MIT. See [LICENSE](https://github.com/CloakHQ/CloakBrowser/blob/main/LICENSE). - **CloakBrowser binary** (compiled Chromium) — free to use, no redistribution. See [BINARY-LICENSE.md](https://github.com/CloakHQ/CloakBrowser/blob/main/BINARY-LICENSE.md). Use against financial, banking, healthcare, or government authentication systems without authorization is expressly prohibited.