
Troubleshooting
Diagnose Chrome DevTools MCP connection, configuration, and target errors when browser tools fail to start or list pages.
Overview
Troubleshooting is an agent skill most often used in Operate (also Build agent-tooling) that walks through Chrome DevTools MCP config and connection fixes when core browser tools fail.
Install
npx skills add https://github.com/chromedevtools/chrome-devtools-mcp --skill troubleshootingWhat is this skill?
- Step 1: locate and read MCP config (.mcp.json, gemini-extension.json, .claude/settings.json, .vscode/launch.json, .gemin
- Flag mis-set args, missing env vars, and incompatible `--autoConnect` usage from live config
- Step 2 triage for `Could not find DevToolsActivePort` and other common connection patterns before deep doc dives
- Triggered when list_pages, new_page, navigate_page fail or the MCP server will not initialize
- Ask for user config content only if no standard config files exist in the workspace
- Step 1 searches up to five standard MCP config filenames in the workspace
Adoption & trust: 877 installs on skills.sh; 43.1k GitHub stars; 2/3 security scanners passed (skills.sh audits); trending (+200% hot-view momentum).
What problem does it solve?
Chrome DevTools MCP commands fail at startup or when listing pages, and you cannot tell whether config, autoConnect, or Chrome targets are wrong.
Who is it for?
Builders who already installed chrome-devtools-mcp but hit connection errors and need agent-guided config review across Claude, VS Code, or Gemini settings files.
Skip if: Greenfield installs with no errors yet—use chrome-devtools-cli for setup and normal command workflows instead of this wizard.
When should I use this skill?
Trigger when list_pages, new_page, or navigate_page fail, or when the server initialization fails.
What do I get? / Deliverables
You get a ordered diagnostic path—config discovery, common error triage, and targeted fixes—so list_pages and navigation can work again.
- Interpreted MCP configuration issues (flags, env, autoConnect compatibility)
- Stepwise remediation plan aligned to the matched error pattern
Recommended Skills
Journey fit
Spans multiple journey phases - primary shelf plus alternate fits below.
Repeated MCP failures surface as operational blockers once you depend on browser tools, even though first hits often happen during initial agent setup. Errors is the canonical shelf for wizard-style recovery when list_pages, new_page, navigate_page, or server initialization already failed.
Where it fits
First-time MCP wiring fails on new_page—you read .mcp.json and fix a bad --autoConnect flag.
Pre-release browser smoke tests fail to attach; triage DevToolsActivePort before blaming application code.
Production debugging session cannot list Chrome targets until env vars in settings.json are corrected.
How it compares
Failure-mode MCP debugger skill, not general browser test authoring or everyday CLI task automation.
Common Questions / FAQ
Who is troubleshooting for?
Solo developers and indie teams using Chrome DevTools MCP with coding agents when browser MCP tools stop working mid-project.
When should I use troubleshooting?
Use it in Operate when MCP browser calls fail; also during Build agent-tooling setup if server initialization or list_pages errors appear on first connect.
Is troubleshooting safe to install?
It guides reading local MCP config and Chrome connection settings; review the Security Audits panel on this Prism page before sharing secrets from config files with an agent.
Workflow Chain
Then invoke: skill chromedevtools chrome devtools mcp chrome
SKILL.md
READMESKILL.md - Troubleshooting
## Troubleshooting Wizard You are acting as a troubleshooting wizard to help the user configure and fix their Chrome DevTools MCP server setup. When this skill is triggered (e.g., because `list_pages`, `new_page`, or `navigate_page` failed, or the server wouldn't start), follow this step-by-step diagnostic process: ### Step 1: Find and Read Configuration Your first action should be to locate and read the MCP configuration file. Search for the following files in the user's workspace: `.mcp.json`, `gemini-extension.json`, `.claude/settings.json`, `.vscode/launch.json`, or `.gemini/settings.json`. If you find a configuration file, read and interpret it to identify potential issues such as: - Incorrect arguments or flags. - Missing environment variables. - Usage of `--autoConnect` in incompatible environments. If you cannot find any of these files, only then should you ask the user to provide their configuration file content. ### Step 2: Triage Common Connection Errors Before reading documentation or suggesting configuration changes, check if the error message matches one of the following common patterns. #### Error: `Could not find DevToolsActivePort` This error is highly specific to the `--autoConnect` feature. It means the MCP server cannot find the file created by a running, debuggable Chrome instance. This is not a generic connection failure. Your primary goal is to guide the user to ensure Chrome is running and properly configured. Do not immediately suggest switching to `--browserUrl`. Follow this exact sequence: 1. **Ask the user to confirm that the correct Chrome version** (e.g., "Chrome Canary" if the error mentions it) is currently running. 2. **If the user confirms it is running, instruct them to enable remote debugging.** Be very specific about the URL and the action: "Please open a new tab in Chrome, navigate to `chrome://inspect/#remote-debugging`, and make sure the 'Enable remote debugging' checkbox is checked." 3. **Once the user confirms both steps, your only next action should be to call the `list_pages` tool.** This is the simplest and safest way to verify if the connection is now successful. Do not retry the original, more complex command yet. 4. **If `list_pages` succeeds, the problem is resolved.** If it still fails with the same error, then you can proceed to the more advanced steps like suggesting `--browserUrl` or checking for sandboxing issues. #### Symptom: Server starts but creates a new empty profile If the server starts successfully but `list_pages` returns an empty list or creates a new profile instead of connecting to the existing Chrome instance, check for typos in the arguments. - **Check for flag typos:** For example, `--autoBronnect` instead of `--autoConnect`. - **Verify the configuration:** Ensure the arguments match the expected flags exactly. #### Symptom: Missing Tools / Only 9 tools available If the server starts successfully but only a limited subset of tools (like `list_pages`, `get_console_message`, `lighthouse_audit`, `take_memory_snapshot`) are available, this is likely because the MCP client is enforcing a **read-only mode**. All tools in `chrome-devtools-mcp` are annotated with `readOnlyHint: true` (for safe, non-modifying tools) or `readOnlyHint: false` (for tools that modify browser state, like `emulate`, `click`, `navigate_page`). To access the full suite of tools, the user must disable read-only mode in their MCP client (e.g., by exiting "Plan Mode" in Gemini CLI or adjusting their client's tool safety settings). #### Symptom: Extension tools are missing or extensions fail to load If the tools related to extensions (like `install_extension`) are not available, or if the extensions you load are not functioning: 1. **Che