---
title: Browser Sessions
subtitle: Persist live browser state across multiple tasks and workflows
slug: optimization/browser-sessions
---

A **Browser Session** is a live browser instance that persists cookies, local storage, and page state between task or workflow runs. Think of it as keeping a browser tab open. Use sessions when you need back-to-back tasks to share state, human-in-the-loop approval, or real-time agents.

---

## Create a session

Start a session with optional configuration for timeout, proxy, browser type, and extensions.

<CodeGroup>
```python Python
import asyncio
from skyvern import Skyvern

async def main():
    client = Skyvern(api_key="YOUR_API_KEY")

    session = await client.create_browser_session(
        timeout=60,                    # Max 60 minutes
        proxy_location="RESIDENTIAL",  # US residential proxy
        browser_type="chrome",         # Chrome or Edge
        extensions=["ad-blocker"],     # Optional extensions
    )

    print(f"Session ID: {session.browser_session_id}")
    print(f"Status: {session.status}")

asyncio.run(main())
```

```typescript TypeScript
import { Skyvern } from "@skyvern/client";

async function main() {
  const client = new Skyvern({
    apiKey: process.env.SKYVERN_API_KEY!,
  });

  const session = await client.createBrowserSession({
    timeout: 60,
    proxy_location: "RESIDENTIAL",
    browser_type: "chrome",
    extensions: ["ad-blocker"],
  });

  console.log(`Session ID: ${session.browser_session_id}`);
  console.log(`Status: ${session.status}`);
}

main();
```

```bash cURL
curl -X POST "https://api.skyvern.com/v1/browser_sessions" \
  -H "x-api-key: $SKYVERN_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "timeout": 60,
    "proxy_location": "RESIDENTIAL",
    "browser_type": "chrome",
    "extensions": ["ad-blocker"]
  }'
```
</CodeGroup>

**Parameters:**

| Parameter | Type | Description |
|-----------|------|-------------|
| `timeout` | integer | Session lifetime in minutes. Min: 5, Max: 1440 (24 hours). Default: `60` |
| `proxy_location` | string | Geographic proxy location (Cloud only). See [Proxy & Geolocation](/going-to-production/proxy-geolocation) for available options |
| `browser_type` | string | Browser type: `chrome` or `msedge` |
| `extensions` | array | Extensions to install: `ad-blocker`, `captcha-solver` |

**Example response:**

```json
{
  "browser_session_id": "pbs_490705123456789012",
  "organization_id": "o_485917350850524254",
  "status": "running",
  "timeout": 60,
  "browser_type": "chrome",
  "extensions": ["ad-blocker"],
  "vnc_streaming_supported": true,
  "app_url": "https://app.skyvern.com/browser-session/pbs_490705123456789012",
  "started_at": "2026-02-01T10:30:03.110Z",
  "created_at": "2026-02-01T10:30:00.000Z",
  "modified_at": "2026-02-01T10:30:03.251Z"
}
```

**Session statuses:**

| Status | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| `running` | Browser is live and accepting tasks. This is the status returned on creation. The browser launches within seconds. |
| `closed` | Session was closed manually or by timeout. No further tasks can run. |

<Warning>
Sessions close automatically when the timeout expires, **even if a task is still running**. The timeout countdown begins when the browser launches. Set timeouts with enough margin for your longest expected task.
</Warning>

---

## Run tasks with a session

Pass `browser_session_id` to `run_task` to execute tasks in an existing session. Each task continues from where the previous one left off: same page, same cookies, same form data.

<CodeGroup>
```python Python
import asyncio
from skyvern import Skyvern

async def main():
    client = Skyvern(api_key="YOUR_API_KEY")

    # Create session
    session = await client.create_browser_session(timeout=30)
    session_id = session.browser_session_id

    try:
        # Task 1: Login (wait for completion before continuing)
        await client.run_task(
            prompt="Login with username 'support@company.com'",
            url="https://dashboard.example.com/login",
            browser_session_id=session_id,
            wait_for_completion=True,
        )

        # Task 2: Search (already logged in from Task 1)
        result = await client.run_task(
            prompt="Find customer with email 'customer@example.com'",
            browser_session_id=session_id,
            wait_for_completion=True,
        )

        print(f"Customer: {result.output}")

    finally:
        # Always close when done
        await client.close_browser_session(browser_session_id=session_id)

asyncio.run(main())
```

```typescript TypeScript
import { Skyvern } from "@skyvern/client";

async function main() {
  const client = new Skyvern({ apiKey: process.env.SKYVERN_API_KEY! });

  const session = await client.createBrowserSession({ timeout: 30 });
  const sessionId = session.browser_session_id;

  try {
    // Task 1: Login (wait for completion)
    await client.runTask({
      body: {
        prompt: "Login with username 'support@company.com'",
        url: "https://dashboard.example.com/login",
        browser_session_id: sessionId,
      },
      waitForCompletion: true,
    });

    // Task 2: Search (reuses login state)
    const result = await client.runTask({
      body: {
        prompt: "Find customer with email 'customer@example.com'",
        browser_session_id: sessionId,
      },
      waitForCompletion: true,
    });

    console.log(`Customer: ${JSON.stringify(result.output)}`);

  } finally {
    await client.closeBrowserSession(sessionId);
  }
}

main();
```

```bash cURL
# Create session
SESSION_ID=$(curl -s -X POST "https://api.skyvern.com/v1/browser_sessions" \
  -H "x-api-key: $SKYVERN_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"timeout": 30}' | jq -r '.browser_session_id')

echo "Session: $SESSION_ID"

# Task 1: Login
RUN_ID=$(curl -s -X POST "https://api.skyvern.com/v1/run/tasks" \
  -H "x-api-key: $SKYVERN_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d "{
    \"prompt\": \"Login with username 'support@company.com'\",
    \"url\": \"https://dashboard.example.com/login\",
    \"browser_session_id\": \"$SESSION_ID\"
  }" | jq -r '.run_id')

# Poll until complete
while true; do
  STATUS=$(curl -s "https://api.skyvern.com/v1/runs/$RUN_ID" \
    -H "x-api-key: $SKYVERN_API_KEY" | jq -r '.status')
  [ "$STATUS" != "created" ] && [ "$STATUS" != "queued" ] && [ "$STATUS" != "running" ] && break
  sleep 5
done

# Task 2: Search (reuses login state)
curl -s -X POST "https://api.skyvern.com/v1/run/tasks" \
  -H "x-api-key: $SKYVERN_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d "{
    \"prompt\": \"Find customer with email 'customer@example.com'\",
    \"browser_session_id\": \"$SESSION_ID\"
  }"

# Close session when done
curl -s -X POST "https://api.skyvern.com/v1/browser_sessions/$SESSION_ID/close" \
  -H "x-api-key: $SKYVERN_API_KEY"
```
</CodeGroup>

---

## Run workflows with a session

Pass `browser_session_id` to `run_workflow` to execute a workflow in an existing session. This is useful when you need to run a predefined workflow but want it to continue from your current browser state.

<CodeGroup>
```python Python
import asyncio
from skyvern import Skyvern

async def main():
    client = Skyvern(api_key="YOUR_API_KEY")

    # Create session
    session = await client.create_browser_session(timeout=60)
    session_id = session.browser_session_id

    try:
        # First, login manually via a task
        await client.run_task(
            prompt="Login with username 'admin@company.com'",
            url="https://app.example.com/login",
            browser_session_id=session_id,
            wait_for_completion=True,
        )

        # Then run a workflow in the same session (already logged in)
        result = await client.run_workflow(
            workflow_id="wf_export_monthly_report",
            browser_session_id=session_id,
            wait_for_completion=True,
        )

        print(f"Workflow completed: {result.status}")

    finally:
        await client.close_browser_session(browser_session_id=session_id)

asyncio.run(main())
```

```typescript TypeScript
import { Skyvern } from "@skyvern/client";

async function main() {
  const client = new Skyvern({ apiKey: process.env.SKYVERN_API_KEY! });

  const session = await client.createBrowserSession({ timeout: 60 });
  const sessionId = session.browser_session_id;

  try {
    // First, login manually via a task
    await client.runTask({
      body: {
        prompt: "Login with username 'admin@company.com'",
        url: "https://app.example.com/login",
        browser_session_id: sessionId,
      },
      waitForCompletion: true,
    });

    // Then run a workflow in the same session (already logged in)
    const result = await client.runWorkflow({
      body: {
        workflow_id: "wf_export_monthly_report",
        browser_session_id: sessionId,
      },
      waitForCompletion: true,
    });

    console.log(`Workflow completed: ${result.status}`);

  } finally {
    await client.closeBrowserSession(sessionId);
  }
}

main();
```

```bash cURL
# Create session
SESSION_ID=$(curl -s -X POST "https://api.skyvern.com/v1/browser_sessions" \
  -H "x-api-key: $SKYVERN_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"timeout": 60}' | jq -r '.browser_session_id')

# Login via a task
RUN_ID=$(curl -s -X POST "https://api.skyvern.com/v1/run/tasks" \
  -H "x-api-key: $SKYVERN_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d "{
    \"prompt\": \"Login with username 'admin@company.com'\",
    \"url\": \"https://app.example.com/login\",
    \"browser_session_id\": \"$SESSION_ID\"
  }" | jq -r '.run_id')

# Poll until login completes
while true; do
  STATUS=$(curl -s "https://api.skyvern.com/v1/runs/$RUN_ID" \
    -H "x-api-key: $SKYVERN_API_KEY" | jq -r '.status')
  [ "$STATUS" != "created" ] && [ "$STATUS" != "queued" ] && [ "$STATUS" != "running" ] && break
  sleep 5
done

# Run workflow in the same session (already logged in)
curl -s -X POST "https://api.skyvern.com/v1/run/workflows" \
  -H "x-api-key: $SKYVERN_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d "{
    \"workflow_id\": \"wf_export_monthly_report\",
    \"browser_session_id\": \"$SESSION_ID\"
  }"

# Close session when done
curl -s -X POST "https://api.skyvern.com/v1/browser_sessions/$SESSION_ID/close" \
  -H "x-api-key: $SKYVERN_API_KEY"
```
</CodeGroup>

<Note>
You cannot use both `browser_session_id` and `browser_profile_id` in the same request. Choose one or the other.
</Note>

---

## Close a session

Close a session to release resources and stop billing. The browser shuts down immediately.

<CodeGroup>
```python Python
await client.close_browser_session(
    browser_session_id="pbs_490705123456789012"
)
```

```typescript TypeScript
await client.closeBrowserSession("pbs_490705123456789012");
```

```bash cURL
curl -X POST "https://api.skyvern.com/v1/browser_sessions/pbs_490705123456789012/close" \
  -H "x-api-key: $SKYVERN_API_KEY"
```
</CodeGroup>

<Warning>
**Always close sessions when done.** Active sessions continue billing even when idle. Use try/finally blocks to ensure cleanup.
</Warning>

<CodeGroup>
```python Python
try:
    session = await client.create_browser_session(timeout=30)
    session_id = session.browser_session_id

    # Do work...
    await client.run_task(
        prompt="...",
        browser_session_id=session_id,
        wait_for_completion=True,
    )

finally:
    # Always close, even if task fails
    await client.close_browser_session(browser_session_id=session_id)
```

```typescript TypeScript
const session = await client.createBrowserSession({ timeout: 30 });
const sessionId = session.browser_session_id;

try {
  await client.runTask({
    body: {
      prompt: "...",
      browser_session_id: sessionId,
    },
    waitForCompletion: true,
  });

} finally {
  // Always close, even if task fails
  await client.closeBrowserSession(sessionId);
}
```
</CodeGroup>

---

## Example: Human-in-the-loop

A shopping bot that pauses for human approval before completing a purchase.

<CodeGroup>
```python Python
import asyncio
from skyvern import Skyvern

async def shopping_with_approval():
    client = Skyvern(api_key="YOUR_API_KEY")

    session = await client.create_browser_session(timeout=15)
    session_id = session.browser_session_id

    try:
        # Step 1: Add to cart
        await client.run_task(
            prompt="Find wireless headphones under $100, add top result to cart",
            url="https://shop.example.com",
            browser_session_id=session_id,
            wait_for_completion=True,
        )

        # Step 2: Wait for human approval
        approval = input("Approve purchase? (yes/no): ")

        if approval.lower() == "yes":
            # Step 3: Checkout (cart persists from Step 1)
            result = await client.run_task(
                prompt="Complete checkout and confirm order",
                browser_session_id=session_id,
                wait_for_completion=True,
            )
            print(f"Order placed: {result.output}")
        else:
            print("Purchase cancelled")

    finally:
        await client.close_browser_session(browser_session_id=session_id)

asyncio.run(shopping_with_approval())
```

```typescript TypeScript
import { Skyvern } from "@skyvern/client";
import * as readline from "readline";

async function shoppingWithApproval() {
  const client = new Skyvern({ apiKey: process.env.SKYVERN_API_KEY! });

  const session = await client.createBrowserSession({ timeout: 15 });
  const sessionId = session.browser_session_id;

  try {
    // Step 1: Add to cart
    await client.runTask({
      body: {
        prompt: "Find wireless headphones under $100, add top result to cart",
        url: "https://shop.example.com",
        browser_session_id: sessionId,
      },
      waitForCompletion: true,
    });

    // Step 2: Wait for human approval
    const rl = readline.createInterface({ input: process.stdin, output: process.stdout });
    const approval = await new Promise<string>((resolve) =>
      rl.question("Approve purchase? (yes/no): ", resolve)
    );
    rl.close();

    if (approval.toLowerCase() === "yes") {
      // Step 3: Checkout (cart persists from Step 1)
      const result = await client.runTask({
        body: {
          prompt: "Complete checkout and confirm order",
          browser_session_id: sessionId,
        },
        waitForCompletion: true,
      });
      console.log(`Order placed: ${JSON.stringify(result.output)}`);
    } else {
      console.log("Purchase cancelled");
    }

  } finally {
    await client.closeBrowserSession(sessionId);
  }
}

shoppingWithApproval();
```
</CodeGroup>

The browser maintains the cart contents during the approval pause. No state is lost.

---

## Best practices

### Set appropriate timeouts

Sessions bill while open, so match the timeout to your use case. A task typically completes in 30 to 90 seconds, so a 10-minute timeout covers most multi-step sequences with margin. Human-in-the-loop flows need longer timeouts to account for wait time.

<CodeGroup>
```python Python
# Quick multi-step task (2-3 tasks back to back)
session = await client.create_browser_session(timeout=10)

# Human-in-the-loop with wait time for approval
session = await client.create_browser_session(timeout=60)

# Long-running agent that monitors a dashboard
session = await client.create_browser_session(timeout=480)  # 8 hours
```

```typescript TypeScript
// Quick multi-step task (2-3 tasks back to back)
const session1 = await client.createBrowserSession({ timeout: 10 });

// Human-in-the-loop with wait time for approval
const session2 = await client.createBrowserSession({ timeout: 60 });

// Long-running agent that monitors a dashboard
const session3 = await client.createBrowserSession({ timeout: 480 }); // 8 hours
```

```bash cURL
# Quick multi-step task (2-3 tasks back to back)
curl -s -X POST "https://api.skyvern.com/v1/browser_sessions" \
  -H "x-api-key: $SKYVERN_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"timeout": 10}'

# Human-in-the-loop with wait time for approval
curl -s -X POST "https://api.skyvern.com/v1/browser_sessions" \
  -H "x-api-key: $SKYVERN_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"timeout": 60}'

# Long-running agent that monitors a dashboard
curl -s -X POST "https://api.skyvern.com/v1/browser_sessions" \
  -H "x-api-key: $SKYVERN_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"timeout": 480}'
```
</CodeGroup>

### Use workflows for predetermined sequences

If your steps don't need pauses between them, a workflow runs them in a single browser instance without the overhead of creating and managing a session. Each task in a session incurs its own startup cost, while workflow blocks share one browser.

<CodeGroup>
```python Python
# Less efficient: multiple tasks in a session (each task has startup overhead)
session = await client.create_browser_session()
await client.run_task(prompt="Step 1", browser_session_id=session.browser_session_id, wait_for_completion=True)
await client.run_task(prompt="Step 2", browser_session_id=session.browser_session_id, wait_for_completion=True)

# More efficient: single workflow (blocks share one browser, no inter-task overhead)
await client.run_workflow(workflow_id="wf_abc", wait_for_completion=True)
```

```typescript TypeScript
// Less efficient: multiple tasks in a session (each task has startup overhead)
const session = await client.createBrowserSession({});
await client.runTask({ body: { prompt: "Step 1", browser_session_id: session.browser_session_id }, waitForCompletion: true });
await client.runTask({ body: { prompt: "Step 2", browser_session_id: session.browser_session_id }, waitForCompletion: true });

// More efficient: single workflow (blocks share one browser, no inter-task overhead)
await client.runWorkflow({ body: { workflow_id: "wf_abc" }, waitForCompletion: true });
```
</CodeGroup>

### Choose the right browser type

Chrome has the widest compatibility. Use Edge only when a site requires or detects it specifically.

<CodeGroup>
```python Python
# Chrome (default) - widest compatibility
session = await client.create_browser_session(browser_type="chrome")

# Edge - for sites that require or fingerprint Edge
session = await client.create_browser_session(browser_type="msedge")
```

```typescript TypeScript
// Chrome (default) - widest compatibility
const chromeSession = await client.createBrowserSession({ browser_type: "chrome" });

// Edge - for sites that require or fingerprint Edge
const edgeSession = await client.createBrowserSession({ browser_type: "msedge" });
```

```bash cURL
# Chrome (default) - widest compatibility
curl -s -X POST "https://api.skyvern.com/v1/browser_sessions" \
  -H "x-api-key: $SKYVERN_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"browser_type": "chrome"}'

# Edge - for sites that require or fingerprint Edge
curl -s -X POST "https://api.skyvern.com/v1/browser_sessions" \
  -H "x-api-key: $SKYVERN_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"browser_type": "msedge"}'
```
</CodeGroup>

### Use extensions strategically

Extensions add startup time, so only enable them when needed. The ad-blocker removes overlay ads that can interfere with automation. The captcha-solver handles CAPTCHAs automatically but is only available on Cloud.

<CodeGroup>
```python Python
# Block ads that overlay content and interfere with clicks
session = await client.create_browser_session(extensions=["ad-blocker"])

# Auto-solve captchas (Cloud only)
session = await client.create_browser_session(extensions=["captcha-solver"])
```

```typescript TypeScript
// Block ads that overlay content and interfere with clicks
const adBlockSession = await client.createBrowserSession({ extensions: ["ad-blocker"] });

// Auto-solve captchas (Cloud only)
const captchaSession = await client.createBrowserSession({ extensions: ["captcha-solver"] });
```

```bash cURL
# Block ads that overlay content and interfere with clicks
curl -s -X POST "https://api.skyvern.com/v1/browser_sessions" \
  -H "x-api-key: $SKYVERN_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"extensions": ["ad-blocker"]}'

# Auto-solve captchas (Cloud only)
curl -s -X POST "https://api.skyvern.com/v1/browser_sessions" \
  -H "x-api-key: $SKYVERN_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"extensions": ["captcha-solver"]}'
```
</CodeGroup>

---

## Sessions vs Profiles

Skyvern also offers [Browser Profiles](/optimization/browser-profiles), saved snapshots of browser state (cookies, storage, session files) that you can reuse across days or weeks. Choose based on your use case:

| Aspect | Browser Session | Browser Profile |
|--------|----------------|-----------------|
| **What it is** | Live browser instance | Saved snapshot of browser state |
| **Lifetime** | Minutes to hours | Days to months |
| **State** | Current page, cookies, open connections | Cookies, storage, session files |
| **Billing** | Charged while open | No cost when not in use |
| **Best for** | Back-to-back tasks, human-in-the-loop, real-time agents | Repeated logins, scheduled workflows, shared auth state |

<Tip>
You can create a [Browser Profile](/optimization/browser-profiles) from a completed session to save its authenticated state for future reuse.
</Tip>

---

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card
    title="Browser Profiles"
    icon="floppy-disk"
    href="/optimization/browser-profiles"
  >
    Save session state for reuse across days
  </Card>
  <Card
    title="Cost Control"
    icon="dollar-sign"
    href="/optimization/cost-control"
  >
    Optimize costs with max_steps and efficient prompts
  </Card>
</CardGroup>