Kernel - Browser-as-a-Service for AI Agents

Kernel is a cloud-based browser-as-a-service (BaaS) platform that provisions sandboxed Chrome instances for AI agents and web automation workflows, eliminating local browser resource management with sub-300ms cold start times and built-in anti-detection capabilities.

Core Value Proposition

Instead of managing browser instances locally (consuming 8GB of RAM per ten browsers), Kernel provisions Chrome instances in cloud virtual machines and returns a connection URL via Chrome DevTools Protocol (CDP). This shifts browser infrastructure from device management to API-driven provisioning, enabling AI agents to scale automation workflows without local resource constraints.

Architecture and Execution Model

Remote Browser Provisioning

import Kernel from "@onkernel/sdk";  
  
const kernel = new Kernel({  
  apiKey: process.env.KERNEL_API_KEY,  
});  
  
const browser = await kernel.browsers.create({  
  timeout_seconds: 300,  
  stealth: true,  
});  
  
const cdpUrl = browser.cdp_ws_url;  

When you request a browser, Kernel:

1. Starts a Chrome instance on a cloud VM
2. Returns a CDP WebSocket URL for remote control
3. Handles resource management, crash monitoring, and cleanup
4. Provides session persistence and state reuse across multiple invocations

Key Technical Features

Speed and Performance

• Sub-300ms cold start times powered by unikernel technology (lighter than traditional VMs)
• Real-world workflow example: Travel agent (browser create + init + navigation) = 7.57 seconds total
• Faster than competitor solutions through optimized container startup

Session Persistence and Reuse

Critical for reducing re-authentication overhead:

• Persists cookies, localStorage, login state, and browser history across days
• Once authenticated to a service, subsequent automation tasks skip re-login
• Reduces latency and cost of repeated authentication workflows

Anti-Detection and Stealth Mode

Built-in evasion capabilities (free across all plans):

• Automatic CAPTCHA solving
• Dynamic IP rotation
• Browser fingerprint adjustment
• Detection evasion passing aggressive blockers like Skyscanner

Real test: Skyscanner page loads succeeded with stealth enabled; failed immediately with stealth disabled.

Live View and Debugging

• Real-time read/write access to remote browser sessions
• Watch automation execute live through a standard browser window
• Session replays, logs, and file I/O access for debugging
• Live view (free tier) is ~2.5x faster than recorded sessions

Framework Compatibility

Kernel works with all major automation frameworks:

• Playwright, Puppeteer, Selenium
• AI agent frameworks: Browser Use, Stagehand, Magnitude
• AI model integrations: OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini Computer Use
• SDKs: Python and JavaScript available
• Open-source CLI: Deep customization without vendor lock-in
• Browser extensions: Support for ad-blocking, analytics, custom UI automation

Use Cases

Kernel is optimized for AI agent workflows requiring:

• E-commerce automation and dynamic site navigation
• Fraud detection and risk assessment
• Dynamic web scraping against anti-bot protected sites
• Form automation with complex visual interactions
• CAPTCHA-heavy flows and credential management
• Latency-sensitive agent interactions requiring <300ms response times

Developer Experience

• Minimal setup: Five lines of code for browser spinups
• No vendor lock-in: Open-source CLI and SDKs
• Accessibility: Developers report “tens of hours saved” on automation projects
• Real-time debugging: Watch executions as they happen

Pricing and Observability Trade-offs

Free Tier

• Real-time live view with no recording overhead
• ~2.5x faster execution vs recorded sessions
• No post-session replay capability

Paid Tier

• Manual or selective recording control
• Post-mortem debugging for CI/CD failures
• Design priority: Speed and cost control over comprehensive logging

Technical Advantages

Resource Efficiency: Eliminates per-device browser instance management; scales automatically in cloud

Latency Optimization: Unikernel architecture enables sub-300ms start times critical for agent responsiveness

Security: Sandboxed Chrome instances prevent malicious sites from compromising local systems; isolation protects agent code execution

Flexibility: Works with any browser automation framework; not tied to specific agent platform

Related Technologies

• Playwright - Browser automation framework
• Puppeteer - Node.js browser automation
• Selenium - Cross-language browser automation
• Browser Use - AI agent framework for web interaction
• Stagehand - Agent-focused browser automation

Integration Patterns

Kernel fits into broader AI agent infrastructure as the Browser component - providing sandboxed, scalable web interaction capabilities alongside:

• Code Interpreter - Sandboxed code execution for LLM-generated scripts
• Memory - Context and state management
• Gateway - REST API to MCP server conversion
• Observability - Execution monitoring and logging

This composition enables agents to interact with web content programmatically while maintaining security and scaling capabilities.

Key Differentiators

• Unikernel-based architecture enabling exceptional cold start times
• Free stealth mode across all plans (competitors charge for evasion)
• Live view debugging without recording overhead on free tier
• Universal framework compatibility (not framework-specific)
• Open-source tooling preventing vendor lock-in