Chrome Extension

Test localhost, VPN, and authenticated sites using your real browser.

Why Use the Extension?

CrowdRunner's cloud servers can reach any publicly accessible website, but some sites are harder to test remotely:

• Localhost — Development servers running on localhost:3000 or similar aren't reachable from the cloud.
• VPN / corporate network — Internal tools behind a VPN or firewall require local network access.
• SSO / OAuth — Sites that require your existing login session (Google, Okta, etc.) can't be authenticated by cloud servers.
• Bot detection — Some sites aggressively block automated browsers. Your real Chrome profile bypasses most detection.

The Chrome Extension solves all of these by running personas directly in your browser. CrowdRunner controls tabs in your Chrome while you watch the sessions happen in real time.

Installation

1. Download the extension package from the CrowdRunner dashboard or your team's distribution channel.
2. Open chrome://extensions in Chrome.
3. Enable Developer mode (toggle in the top right).
4. Click Load unpacked and select the extension folder.
5. Pin the CrowdRunner extension to your toolbar for easy access.

Connecting the Extension

1. Click the CrowdRunner extension icon in your toolbar to open the popup.
2. Enter your API key (generate one from Settings → API Keys in the dashboard) or sign in with your account.
3. The popup should show a green Connected status.

Running a Test

1. Create a new test in the CrowdRunner dashboard as usual.
2. In the URL step, select Your Browser as the execution mode.
3. Make sure the extension popup shows Connected.
4. Launch the test. The extension will automatically open new tabs and run each persona's session.

What to Expect

• Chrome will open new tabs for each persona — you can watch them navigate your site in real time.
• The extension popup shows progress for each active session.
• Sessions run one at a time or in small batches depending on your panel size.
• Don't close the tabs while sessions are running. You can continue using other tabs normally.

Limitations

• Your computer must stay active (not sleeping) during the test.
• Large panel sizes may be slower since sessions run in your local browser rather than distributed cloud servers.
• The extension is currently available as an unpacked extension (not yet in the Chrome Web Store).

Troubleshooting

• Extension shows "Disconnected" — Check your internet connection and verify your API key is valid. Try clicking "Reconnect" in the popup.
• Tabs crash or freeze — The session will be marked as failed. Close the frozen tabs and re-run the test.
• Slow performance — Reduce the panel size to run fewer concurrent personas. Close unnecessary browser tabs to free up memory.
• Site still blocks the extension — Some sites detect automation via Chrome DevTools Protocol. Contact support for advanced stealth options.