Kernel

Kernel is a serverless browser automation platform. It runs full Chrome instances in the cloud and provides a simple WebSocket/HTTP API.

Because Val Town can’t launch a local browser, Kernel lets you use tools like Puppeteer or Playwright by connecting to a remote browser session hosted on Kernel’s infrastructure.

Quick start with Puppeteer

1. Remix this Kernel starter val
2. Create a free Kernel account and generate an API key from Settings → API Keys
3. Add it to your val’s Environment Variables (left sidebar) as KERNEL_API_KEY
4. Click Run on puppeteer.ts
5. View logs for output

Quick start with Playwright

Kernel also supports Playwright sessions.

Steps are nearly identical:

1. Remix this Kernel starter val
2. Add your KERNEL_API_KEY to Environment Variables
3. Set TMPDIR to /tmp to avoid Playwright file-system warnings
4. Click Run on playwright.ts
5. Check the logs for output