Overview
fx is Vercel Labs’ native CLI coding agent — a minimalist, terminal-first agent with a small built-in tool surface and first-class MCP support. Instead of loading every connected server’s full tool list up front, fx searches for the right capability on demand and only pulls in the tool it needs, which keeps context usage low even with several MCP servers connected. Connecting Kernel’s MCP server gives fx a real cloud browser: it can create a session, drive it with Playwright viaexecute_playwright_code, and tear it down — the same toolset described in the MCP server reference, including managed auth, profiles, proxies, and replays.
Setup
Follow the fx client guide to add Kernel to~/.fx/mcp.json. Two paths, depending on how you run fx:
- Interactive session (recommended) —
kernel mcp install --target fx, then/mcp reloadand/mcp auth kernel --opento authorize via OAuth in a browser. - Headless or scripted (
fx ask,fx acp, CI) — OAuth needs a browser, so it doesn’t work outside an interactive session. Use a Kernel API key withbearer_token_envinstead; see Headless and scripted use for the config.
Example
With Kernel connected, fx can drive a browser from a single prompt:manage_browsers to create the session, execute_playwright_code to read the title, and manage_browsers again to delete it:
Related
fx MCP client guide
Full setup steps, including headless auth
MCP Server
All tools the Kernel MCP server exposes
execute_playwright_code
Run Playwright against a session