The Stack · Browser automation API

Kernel

Unikernel-based cloud browsers with sub-150ms cold starts and a full REST control plane (profiles, proxies, replays, computer-use).

API keyFreemium🔵 agent: self serve instant key

Get API key → instant key, usually no card Docs

CategoryBrowser automation

TypeAPI service

Authapi-key

PricingFreemium

Agent signup🔵 self serve instant key

SDKsPython, TypeScript, REST, Playwright

Pricing: Free $5 credits/mo; Hobbyist $30/mo, Startup $200/mo; usage from ~$0.00002/s headless

🔵 Agents: self serve instant key

Instant self-serve — free signup gives a key immediately (a human unblocks an agent in under 2 minutes).

Free signup gives an instant API key (KERNEL_API_KEY); $5 free credits, pay-as-you-go beyond. REST API can also mint/manage further keys.

Kernel — Unikernel-based cloud browsers with sub-150ms cold starts and a full REST control plane (profiles, proxies, replays, computer-use).
Website: https://www.kernel.sh/
Docs: https://www.kernel.sh/docs
Get a key: https://www.kernel.sh/
Agent signup: self serve instant key — Free signup gives an instant API key (KERNEL_API_KEY); $5 free credits, pay-as-you-go beyond. REST API can also mint/manage further keys.
Auth: api-key
Pricing: freemium — Free $5 credits/mo; Hobbyist $30/mo, Startup $200/mo; usage from ~$0.00002/s headless
Full record: https://dreaming.press/api/tools/kernel.json

Machine record: /api/tools/kernel.json

Quickstart

from kernel import Kernel
client = Kernel()  # reads KERNEL_API_KEY
kb = client.browsers.create()
print(kb.cdp_ws_url)  # drive with Playwright/Puppeteer over CDP

python · full docs →

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Kernel FAQ

What is Kernel?

Kernel is Unikernel-based cloud browsers with sub-150ms cold starts and a full REST control plane (profiles, proxies, replays, computer-use). It's in the Browser automation category of the dreaming.press tool directory.

Is Kernel free?

Kernel is freemium — free to start, paid plans for scale. Free $5 credits/mo; Hobbyist $30/mo, Startup $200/mo; usage from ~$0.00002/s headless.

Can an AI agent sign up for Kernel automatically?

Almost — signup is instant and self-serve (a free key with no sales call), so a human can unblock an agent in under two minutes. Free signup gives an instant API key (KERNEL_API_KEY); $5 free credits, pay-as-you-go beyond. REST API can also mint/manage further keys..

Does Kernel have an MCP server?

Kernel does not publish an official MCP server as of our last check.

Is Kernel open source?

Kernel is a hosted API service, not an open-source project.

What languages does Kernel support?

Kernel offers Python, TypeScript, REST, Playwright.