AutomatiQ Web Session Recorder

Turn real browsing and captured traffic into evidence AI can use to build web automations.

Stars
★ 171
Last updated
1mo ago
License
MIT
Primary language
Python

At a glance

How it runs
MCP serverCLI
Works with
Universal · cross-platformCodex
Cost
Free software; you pay for model usage
Setup effort
Medium · a few setup steps
You'll need
Python 3.11+BraveShell / CLINetwork accessLocal filesystemMCP Server
Typical use
A data engineer investigating a target site's request flow can record a manual visit and use the artifacts to write an HTTP scraping script.
Not a fit if
  • Teams that cannot store recordings with sensitive data in cleartext
  • Production teams that require a stable, non-alpha tool

What does this agent do, and when should you use it?

AutomatiQ is an alpha-stage Python tool exposed to AI clients through an MCP stdio server. It opens a visible Brave browser and records user actions, network requests, WebSocket data, and optional video clips. When recording ends, it compiles decoded traffic and session documentation into a folder in the server's working directory; a configured vision model can also annotate action clips. An MCP client can read the generated README and use the artifacts to write direct HTTP automation scripts. It requires Python 3.11+ and Brave for recording; session artifacts are stored locally, while any configured vision-model provider is involved in analysis.

Run automatiq to start the MCP stdio server. A client can call start_recording(url, session_name?, proxy?, include_video?) to open a visible Brave window and capture network traffic, WebSockets, user actions, and video. Use stop_recording(session_id) to request an end, then wait_for_completion(session_id?, timeout_s?) until compilation finishes. Read the README.md and other artifacts under ./automatiq_sessions/<session_name>/; with a vision model configured, annotate_user_interactions(session_id?, focus?) can run visual analysis again. Session files may contain unredacted request and response bodies, cookies, credentials, and typed passwords.

  1. A data engineer investigating a target site's request flow can record a manual visit and use the artifacts to write an HTTP scraping script.
  2. A developer building browser automation for an AI assistant can give it action and traffic records to reduce guesswork about site behavior.
  3. An engineer debugging WebSocket interactions can capture frames during browsing and inspect the resulting session files.
  4. A tester documenting user flows can record visible browser actions and, with a vision model configured, review annotated clips.
  5. A team generating scraping scripts with an MCP client can run the server locally and use its session folder as the script's evidence.

How do you install or deploy this agent?

Requires Python 3.11+. Install the package and register it as an MCP stdio server. On first run, AutomatiQ downloads a managed Brave browser if it cannot find one. Optional vision analysis requires an API key for the provider selected through LiteLLM.

pip install automatiq

Add this to the MCP client configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "automatiq": {
      "command": "automatiq"
    }
  }
}

For vision analysis, configure the model and its provider key in ~/.automatiq/config.toml:

[models]
recorder = "gemini/gemini-3.1-flash-lite"
recorder_api_key = "your-key-here"

How do you use this agent?

After restarting the MCP client, confirm AutomatiQ's tools are available. Call start_recording with a target URL and perform the actions you want to capture in the browser. Then poll wait_for_completion, or call stop_recording and continue waiting. When the session completes, read the README at readme_path first, then inspect the other artifacts in the session folder. Vision analysis requires a key for the configured model provider; include_video defaults to true and can be set to false to skip action clips. If you add a key after recording, call annotate_user_interactions to analyze the session again.

start_recording(url="https://example.com")
wait_for_completion(session_id="<session_id>")

What are this agent's strengths and limitations?

Pros
  • Captures user actions alongside network and WebSocket traffic, linking page behavior to the requests it triggers.
  • Produces a documented session folder that an MCP client can read as a basis for writing scripts.
  • Optional video clips and vision annotations add screen context that raw traffic logs do not show.
  • Vision analysis can use LiteLLM-supported providers, and the README documents a local OpenAI-compatible endpoint option.
Limitations
  • The project is explicitly alpha and may break or change.
  • Recordings are unredacted and can contain passwords, cookies, credentials, and request or response bodies; session folders need strict protection.
  • The recorder is Brave-only; the first run may download a browser, and macOS requests screen-recording permission.
  • Vision analysis depends on a provider API key and an image-capable model; model changes require a server restart.

How does this agent compare with similar options?

Key facts side by side with the most closely related agents.

Agent Source review Form / cost Stars Updated Language Full support on
AutomatiQ Web Session Recorder This agent 55 · Major gaps MCP serverFree + model costs ★ 171 1mo ago Python Codex
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Obscura Headless Browser 75 · Good CLIFree ★ 29k today Rust Claude.ai
AIHawk – AI Browser Agent 59 · Major gaps MCP serverFree + model costs ★ 32k 1d ago TypeScript Codex · Claude Code

How does FollowAgents rate this agent?

FollowAgents source review · FARS-2.1
Major gaps
55/ 100 5-point scale 2.8 / 5
Trust 13/29
Reliability 8/14
Adaptability 12/18
Convention 11/18
Effectiveness 7/13
Verifiability 4/8
Why each dimension lost points
Trust13 / 29 · 2.2/5

The README says recordings store request and response bodies, cookies, and credentials without redaction. It documents configuration, proxies, telemetry, and output paths, but shows no field-level access controls or redaction, so least privilege and sensitive-data handling score 1. Recording is started by a user tool call and opens a visible browser; no separate confirmation for consequential actions is shown, so confirmation scores 1. Telemetry fields and opt-out are explicit, and recording/model data flows are described, earning 2 for transparency. Dependencies have pinned or bounded versions, but the supplied material does not show vulnerability review or lockfile contents, so dependency security scores 1. Browser requests, MCP session-file writes, optional proxies, and model calls are described, but telemetry is enabled by default and recording sends requests to external sites, so external-effects control scores 1. Re-annotation backs up originals and config updates retain a .bak, earning 2 for rollback. pyproject and the license identify the author and copyright, earning 2 for attribution; the unverified registry identity neither adds nor removes points.

Reliability8 / 14 · 2.9/5

The README, configuration, and tool descriptions are broadly consistent about recording, waiting, status, and output. The alpha notice limits stability claims, so self-consistency scores 2. A Python minimum and dependency list are provided, but the lockfile contents and fallback for unavailable dependencies are not, so availability scores 1. The README describes initialization delays, crash reports, and re-annotation, while the supplied tests cover errors such as unknown sessions, missing clips, and an unconfigured vision model; failure messages score 2.

Adaptability12 / 18 · 3.3/5

The project targets developers and MCP clients, with a clear scenario: turn user browsing into material for an Agent to build HTTP automation. Audience and scenarios score 2. Tools, vision models, proxies, telemetry, and output have defined roles; the Brave-only recorder and purpose of video analysis are stated, so capability boundaries score 2. MCP tools have names, parameters, and a recording-to-artifact workflow, earning 2 for trigger precision. Python versions, multiple client configurations, environment variables, config files, and a local model endpoint are documented. The Brave-only recorder and macOS screen-recording permission requirement limit portability, so environment fit scores 2.

Convention11 / 18 · 3.1/5

The README is organized around workflow, installation, MCP setup, tools, configuration, and development; it is clear but has little FAQ material, so information architecture scores 2. It gives pip installation, Python requirements, first-run download behavior, and several client configurations, earning 2 for install notes. Package, MCP server, command, and project names are consistent, earning 2 for naming stability. It includes config examples and a tool workflow but no systematic FAQ, so examples and FAQ score 2. Alpha status, unredacted data, Brave requirements, first-run delay, and model configuration are disclosed, earning 2 for known limitations. Both pyproject and LICENSE specify MIT, with the full license text, earning 3. Version is dynamically read from a config module, but no changelog or release process is supplied, so versioning and changelog score 1. An author and contact are listed, but maintenance responsibility, response expectations, and update path are not clear, so that criterion scores 1.

Effectiveness7 / 13 · 2.7/5

The recording artifact includes a session README, network data, actions, and optional vision annotations, and clients are directed to read the README first; output usability scores 2. Converting visible browsing into reusable material for HTTP automation has a clear potential benefit, but claims of greater accuracy and speed lack comparative evidence in the supplied material, so marginal value scores 2. Browser download, optional vision model/API key, video capture, and telemetry impose setup, time, or possible cost; no cost estimate or measured benefit is provided, so cost-benefit scores 1.

Verifiability4 / 8 · 2.5/5

Most product, configuration, telemetry, and limitation claims are traceable to the README and pyproject. Test files show error paths, isolation measures, and re-annotation behavior, but this review does not claim they were executed; claim traceability scores 2. The README, project metadata, workflows, and tests provide some corroboration, but no run results, release history, or independent source supports key benefit claims, so cross-source corroboration scores 1. Alpha status, telemetry fields, unredacted data, and the Brave restriction are stated as facts and distinguishable from performance and accuracy aspirations, earning 2 for fact-inference separation.

Risks and how to mitigate them
  • Recordings store request and response content, cookies, and credentials verbatim. Treat session folders as secrets and inspect them for sensitive information before sharing or committing.
  • Telemetry is enabled by default; disable it through configuration or AUTOMATIQ_TELEMETRY=0 if you do not need it.
Evidence confidence: Low Reviewed Oct 13, 2026 Reviewed revision e1029d3fbce9
See the full review method →

FAQ

Does visual annotation require a paid model?
The README does not state pricing. Visual annotation requires an API key for a LiteLLM provider, though a local OpenAI-compatible endpoint is also documented; the model must support images.
What sensitive information can a recording contain?
Request and response bodies, cookies, credentials, and typed passwords are stored without redaction. Treat every session folder as secret and do not commit or share it.
Can I run it without an MCP client?
You can start the stdio server directly with automatiq or python -m automatiq; the documented tool workflow still uses an MCP client.
What happens if the browser crashes?
The README says crashed sessions still save the recording and a crash_report.txt. On first launch, initialization can also take about a minute while Brave downloads.
View on GitHub ↗ Install ↓

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