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Guide · Open source

How to use ego-lite: install, run agent tasks and tips

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

ego-lite is a desktop browser built so AI agents can run browser tasks while you keep using your own tabs. It is aimed at developers who use agent CLIs such as Claude Code or Codex and want those agents to act inside a logged-in browser. This guide covers installing the app, adding the ego-browser skill, running a first task and deciding whether it fits your setup.

ego litecitrolabs/ego-lite · ★ 21.3k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Check your platform. Confirm you are on macOS or Windows, since the README says Linux is only on the roadmap.
  2. 2Download the app. Pick the Apple Silicon, Intel or Windows build and open it to install.
  3. 3Choose the Chrome migration. On first launch, say yes to migrate Chrome data if you want your agent to inherit existing logins, cookies, extensions and bookmarks.
  4. 4Add the ego-browser skill. Run npx skills add citrolabs/ego-lite to install the skill, or let your agent install the app on its first browser task.
  5. 5Start an agent task. In your agent CLI, type /ego-browser followed by a plain-language description of the task.
  6. 6Check the result. Watch the agent's Space and confirm the outcome. Take over or stop the Space if needed.

Install ego-lite on macOS or Windows

ego-lite runs on macOS and Windows. The README says Linux is only on the roadmap, so Linux users cannot install it yet. The main method is to download the app: there are builds for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, and a Windows installer.

On first launch, ego-lite asks one question: whether to migrate your Chrome data. Saying yes lets your agent inherit your existing logins, cookies, extensions and bookmarks.

  • Apple Silicon Mac: download the .dmg labelled for Apple Silicon
  • Intel Mac: download the .dmg labelled for Intel
  • Windows: download the .exe installer

Add the ego-browser skill to your agent

The ego-browser skill is the connection layer between your agent CLI and ego-lite. You can add it alongside the app download with the command below. Ego-lite also adds the skill to every agent's skills directory on your machine when you install the app.

If you skip the app download, the first time your agent runs a browser task it walks you through installing ego-lite.

npx skills add citrolabs/ego-lite

Let your agent set up ego-lite for you

The README includes a setup prompt you can paste into your agent. It points the agent at the install reference file inside the repository, which it then follows to install ego-lite.

Use this if you prefer not to follow the manual steps yourself.

Set up ego lite for me: https://github.com/citrolabs/ego-lite Read `skills/ego-browser/references/install.md` and follow the steps to install ego lite.

Run your first browser task

In your agent CLI, type /ego-browser followed by a space, then describe the task in plain language. The README's example asks an agent to follow an account on x.com.

While the agent works, it opens the page in its own Space, reads a Snapshot (the page converted into structured text), acts on the page and reports back. Your own tabs are not touched. You can see which Space has an agent running and take it over or stop it at any time.

  • Open a Space for each agent task, so parallel tasks do not collide
  • Watch which Space is active from the browser
  • Take over or stop a Space whenever you want
ego-browser follow @ego_agent on x.com for me

Understand how your data is handled

According to the README, your browsing data, cookies and everything else the browser holds stay on your device. Data collection is described as deliberately narrow, limited to simple product signals such as whether you have set ego-lite as your default browser.

The README's speed and token-cost figures are the project's own claims. No linked benchmarks are given, so verify performance on your own tasks.

Compare ego-lite with other browser automation tools

The README compares ego-lite with browser extensions, built-in agent browsers, cloud browsers, browser CLIs and AI browsers. Its main points are that it works with any AI agent, uses your browser logins, runs across your whole computer and does not hijack your browser. Named comparable projects include browser-use, agent-browser, Browserbase and Playwright.

Cloud tools like Browserbase run remotely, while ego-lite runs on your own machine. Choose based on whether you need a headless cloud browser or a logged-in browser you share with an agent.

What people use it for

  • Have Claude Code enrich a list of leads, with each lead handled in its own Space
  • Ask Codex to scrape several competitor sites in parallel without touching your open tabs
  • Follow an account or perform repetitive actions on a site where you are already logged in
  • Let an agent work in the background while you keep browsing normally

Frequently asked questions

Is ego-lite free?

The README lists the project as MIT licensed and describes its cost as zero, with zero config. The MIT licence is shown in the repository badge and LICENSE file. Check the LICENSE file for the full terms.

Does ego-lite work on Linux?

No, not yet. The README says Linux is only on the roadmap, and it currently supports macOS and Windows.

Do I need to install anything before ego-lite?

The README lists no prerequisites. You can download the app for macOS or Windows, and optionally add the ego-browser skill with npx skills add citrolabs/ego-lite.

Can I use ego-lite with Claude Code or Codex?

Yes. The ego-browser skill connects agent CLIs such as Claude Code, Codex and Cursor to ego-lite. You start tasks by typing /ego-browser in your agent CLI.

How is ego-lite different from browser-use or Playwright?

According to the README, browser-use and agent-browser are bridges to a separate browser, and ego-lite is a single browser built for you and an agent to share. Playwright is a browser automation library, and Browserbase is a cloud browser service. ego-lite runs on your own machine.

Will an agent take over my browser?

The README says agents run in their own Spaces, so you keep your own tabs and the mouse stays where you left it. You can still see, take over or stop any Space.

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Our verdict

ego-lite suits developers on macOS or Windows who use Claude Code, Codex or similar agent CLIs and want those agents to work in a logged-in browser without taking over their window. It is a poor fit for Linux users, for anyone who needs a headless cloud-hosted browser, or for anyone who needs independently verified speed claims, since the README's figures are the project's own.

Install options & downloads