From fff4312d16bf03e4db16816284b544097489b670 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Chris Tate <chris@ctate.dev>
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2026 11:41:17 -0600
Subject: [PATCH] update provider flag (#217)

* auto-release

* fixes

* fix secret name

* update provider flag
---
 README.md      | 14 ++++++++++++--
 src/browser.ts | 21 ++++++++++-----------
 2 files changed, 22 insertions(+), 13 deletions(-)

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ebd9eb4..f6f3b14 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -708,14 +708,24 @@ curl -o .claude/skills/agent-browser/SKILL.md \
 
 [Browserbase](https://browserbase.com) provides remote browser infrastructure to make deployment of agentic browsing agents easy. Use it when running the agent-browser CLI in an environment where a local browser isn't feasible.
 
-To enable Browserbase, set these environment variables:
+To enable Browserbase, use the `-p` flag:
 
 ```bash
 export BROWSERBASE_API_KEY="your-api-key"
 export BROWSERBASE_PROJECT_ID="your-project-id"
+agent-browser -p browserbase open https://example.com
 ```
 
-When both variables are set, agent-browser automatically connects to a Browserbase session instead of launching a local browser. All commands work identically.
+Or use environment variables for CI/scripts:
+
+```bash
+export AGENT_BROWSER_PROVIDER=browserbase
+export BROWSERBASE_API_KEY="your-api-key"
+export BROWSERBASE_PROJECT_ID="your-project-id"
+agent-browser open https://example.com
+```
+
+When enabled, agent-browser connects to a Browserbase session instead of launching a local browser. All commands work identically.
 
 Get your API key and project ID from the [Browserbase Dashboard](https://browserbase.com/overview).
 
diff --git a/src/browser.ts b/src/browser.ts
index 04cfa66..fb75d59 100644
--- a/src/browser.ts
+++ b/src/browser.ts
@@ -678,14 +678,16 @@ export class BrowserManager {
 
   /**
    * Connect to Browserbase remote browser via CDP.
-   * Returns true if connected, false if credentials not available.
+   * Requires BROWSERBASE_API_KEY and BROWSERBASE_PROJECT_ID environment variables.
    */
-  private async connectToBrowserbase(): Promise<boolean> {
+  private async connectToBrowserbase(): Promise<void> {
     const browserbaseApiKey = process.env.BROWSERBASE_API_KEY;
     const browserbaseProjectId = process.env.BROWSERBASE_PROJECT_ID;
 
     if (!browserbaseApiKey || !browserbaseProjectId) {
-      return false;
+      throw new Error(
+        'BROWSERBASE_API_KEY and BROWSERBASE_PROJECT_ID are required when using browserbase as a provider'
+      );
     }
 
     const response = await fetch('https://api.browserbase.com/v1/sessions', {
@@ -727,8 +729,6 @@ export class BrowserManager {
       this.pages.push(page);
       this.activePageIndex = 0;
       this.setupPageTracking(page);
-
-      return true;
     } catch (error) {
       await this.closeBrowserbaseSession(session.id, browserbaseApiKey).catch((sessionError) => {
         console.error('Failed to close Browserbase session during cleanup:', sessionError);
@@ -844,14 +844,13 @@ export class BrowserManager {
       return;
     }
 
-    // Try connecting to cloud browser providers if configured
-    // Browserbase: auto-connects when BROWSERBASE_API_KEY and BROWSERBASE_PROJECT_ID are set
-    if (await this.connectToBrowserbase()) {
+    // Cloud browser providers require explicit opt-in via -p flag or AGENT_BROWSER_PROVIDER env var
+    // -p flag takes precedence over env var
+    const provider = options.provider ?? process.env.AGENT_BROWSER_PROVIDER;
+    if (provider === 'browserbase') {
+      await this.connectToBrowserbase();
       return;
     }
-
-    // Browser Use: requires explicit opt-in via -p browseruse flag or AGENT_BROWSER_PROVIDER=browseruse
-    const provider = options.provider ?? process.env.AGENT_BROWSER_PROVIDER;
     if (provider === 'browseruse') {
       await this.connectToBrowserUse();
       return;