> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.browserbase.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Overview

Run your first browser session and learn the Browserbase basics.

<Info>
  **Using Claude Code, Cursor, or another coding agent?** Paste this into your prompt to browse the web, debug sessions, and manage your entire project via the Browserbase CLI:

  ```
  Read https://browserbase.com/SKILL.md to set up Browserbase
  ```
</Info>

## Creating your account

[Sign up for a Browserbase account](https://www.browserbase.com/sign-up). The free plan includes:

* One browser session running at a time
* 60 minutes of browser time per month

<Warning>
  Having trouble with phone verification? Reach out via the [support portal](https://portal.usepylon.com/browserbase/forms/talk-to-an-engineer) or email [support@browserbase.com](mailto:support@browserbase.com).
</Warning>

## Overview dashboard

The overview dashboard is the first page you'll see when you log in to Browserbase and click into a project. It gives you a quick snapshot of your browser sessions, usage, and status.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/browserbase/giE_cpy18f2mWHqr/images/getting-started/overview.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=giE_cpy18f2mWHqr&q=85&s=3d6f582d4ba89bb942c94f6fcb53e6be" alt="" width="3426" height="1870" data-path="images/getting-started/overview.png" />
</Frame>

On the [overview page](https://www.browserbase.com/overview), you'll find:

* **Your project ID and API key** on the right side
* Currently running and recently completed sessions
* Historical usage statistics, performance metrics, and system status

## Using the playground

The [Playground](https://www.browserbase.com/playground) lets you try Browserbase directly in your browser — no local setup needed.

<Frame>
  <video autoPlay loop muted playsInline controls src="https://mintcdn.com/browserbase/Qn5OB0mYcUstQ-qY/images/getting-started/playground.mp4?fit=max&auto=format&n=Qn5OB0mYcUstQ-qY&q=85&s=4c09c01fd975506f58bee41c1463dba2" data-path="images/getting-started/playground.mp4" />
</Frame>

1. Navigate to the [Playground](https://www.browserbase.com/playground)
2. Command + Click on one of the templates in the code editor
3. Click "Run" to start a browser session and execute the code
4. Watch the session via [Live View](/platform/browser/observability/session-live-view) on the right
5. Click "Stop" to shut down the browser

After completing a session in the Playground, click the "View Session" button to open the Session Inspector.

## Session Inspector

Use the [Session Inspector](/platform/browser/observability/observability) to watch sessions in real time, view recordings, or inspect logs.

<Frame>
  <video autoPlay loop muted playsInline controls src="https://mintcdn.com/browserbase/Qn5OB0mYcUstQ-qY/images/getting-started/inspector.mp4?fit=max&auto=format&n=Qn5OB0mYcUstQ-qY&q=85&s=657f9baf0165628248667fdba68eaf93" data-path="images/getting-started/inspector.mp4" />
</Frame>

## Sessions list

Find all your sessions in the [Sessions](https://www.browserbase.com/sessions) tab. From there, you can open the Session Inspector for any session.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/browserbase/giE_cpy18f2mWHqr/images/getting-started/sessions.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=giE_cpy18f2mWHqr&q=85&s=4eace23aa5e33fa2993c7cb48a14864f" alt="" width="2957" height="1201" data-path="images/getting-started/sessions.png" />
</Frame>

If you know your session ID, you can also access the Session Inspector by navigating to `https://www.browserbase.com/sessions/[session-id]`.

## Next steps

Once you've run a session in the playground, you'll likely want to integrate Browserbase into your own codebase. You have two main approaches:

1. **Direct session control** — Create browser sessions and control them with your preferred automation framework
2. **Cloud Functions** — Deploy browser agents as cloud functions invocable via API

### Using browser sessions

Pick a browser automation framework and follow the framework-specific quickstart to get a Browserbase project running locally. Browserbase supports all popular frameworks and many [integrations](/integrations).

<Info>
  If you're not sure which framework to use,
  [Stagehand](/welcome/quickstarts/stagehand) is recommended as it's built and
  maintained by the Browserbase team.
</Info>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Stagehand" icon="robot" iconType="sharp-solid" href="/welcome/quickstarts/stagehand">
    **Recommended for AI-native workflows**

    * JavaScript and Python support
    * Self-healing page automations
    * LLM-powered browser control
    * AI-first architecture
  </Card>

  <Card title="Playwright" icon="masks-theater" iconType="sharp-solid" href="/welcome/quickstarts/playwright">
    **Recommended for traditional automation**

    * JavaScript, Python, Java, and C# support
    * Static workflow definitions
    * Robust testing capabilities
    * Extensive API support
  </Card>

  <Card title="Puppeteer" icon="code" iconType="sharp-solid" href="/welcome/quickstarts/puppeteer">
    **Recommended for Puppeteer users**

    * JavaScript support
    * Static workflow definitions
    * Robust testing capabilities
    * Extensive API support
  </Card>

  <Card title="Selenium" icon="vial" iconType="sharp-solid" href="/welcome/quickstarts/selenium">
    **Recommended for Selenium users**

    * JS, Python, Java, C#, and Ruby support
    * Static workflow definitions
    * Robust testing capabilities
    * Extensive API support
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Need to deploy your code?

[Functions](/platform/runtime/overview) let you deploy browser agents directly to Browserbase's infrastructure. Perfect for webhooks, scheduled tasks, or API endpoints with zero server management.

<CardGroup cols={1}>
  <Card title="Functions" icon="bolt" iconType="sharp-solid" href="/platform/runtime/overview">
    **Recommended for serverless workflows**

    * Zero infrastructure management
    * API-invocable browser agents
    * Built-in session management
    * Perfect for webhooks and scheduled tasks
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Use Browserbase with Claude Code

<CardGroup cols={1}>
  <Card title="Give your coding agent a browser built for them." icon="robot" iconType="sharp-solid" href="https://docs.browserbase.com/integrations/skills/introduction">
    Paste this into your agent to get started:

    ```
    Read https://browserbase.com/SKILL.md to set up Browserbase
    ```
  </Card>
</CardGroup>