# Use your own Chrome

Let a bot work in your own browser, signed in as you, with the Machine extension. Install it, ask for it, see what's happening, and take your browser back.

Canonical page: https://themachine.myapps.ai/docs/desktop/this-pc/chrome-extension

The Machine browser that bots normally use is separate from yours, so it isn't
signed in to your accounts. When you want a bot to work **in your own
browser**, signed in as you, use the **Machine extension**.

Good for:

- downloading invoices from a supplier portal you're signed in to,
- updating a listing in a web app you use,
- collecting information from a page you're looking at.

It works in Chrome, and in other Chromium browsers like Edge and Brave. It
needs Chrome 125 or later. It works on Windows and Mac.

## Install the extension

### Open the folder menu

In a [This PC](/docs/desktop/this-pc/overview) thread, click the folder chip
above the message box. Under **This PC**, find **Your Chrome**. Until the
extension is added, it says **Extension not added**.
### Add it to Chrome

Click **Add**. The Chrome Web Store opens. Click **Add to Chrome** there.
### Keep Chrome open

The extension connects to Machine Desktop by itself. Click its icon in
Chrome's toolbar: it should say **Connected to Machine Desktop**. In the
folder menu, the **Your Chrome** row now shows **Connected** and *Say "use
my browser" to work in your tabs*.

### Other ways to get it

The extension is on the Chrome Web Store, free. It's unlisted, so searching
the store won't find it. Use one of these links instead:

- On the [download page](/download), find the **Chrome extension** card and
  click **Add to Chrome**.
- Open the
  [Machine extension on the Chrome Web Store](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/machine/fcemacdodnlolcpocnnjjlmnhjmgaknk)
  and click **Add to Chrome**.

Then keep Chrome and Machine Desktop open, and it connects by itself.

### Install it manually

If the Web Store doesn't work for you:

1. In the folder menu's **Your Chrome** row, click **install manually**.
   Machine Desktop shows a folder on your computer.
2. In Chrome, go to `chrome://extensions`.
3. Turn on **Developer mode** (top right).
4. Click **Load unpacked** and choose that folder.

## Ask a bot to use your browser

1. Open Chrome on the page you want the bot to work on.
2. In a This PC thread, say so in your message: **"use my browser"**, "use my
   Chrome", or "use my tabs".

> Use my browser: on this page, download every invoice from last month into
> my shared folder.

> Use my Chrome to fill in this form with the details in contact.txt.

The bot works in the tab in front.

Without one of those phrases, bots use the Machine browser, never yours.

## What you'll see

While a bot works in your browser:

- Chrome shows a bar saying it *started debugging this browser*. This is
  normal: it's how the extension controls the tab.
- The extension's icon shows **ON**.
- Its popup says **Machine is working in N tab(s)**.

## Take your browser back

![The extension while Machine is working in a tab, with Stop — release all tabs](/images/docs/desktop/chrome-extension-working.webp)

Any of these releases your browser immediately:

- click **Cancel** on Chrome's *started debugging* bar,
- click the extension's icon and choose **Stop — release all tabs**,
- press the Stop shortcut, **Ctrl+Alt+Esc** (**⌘⇧Esc** on Mac),
- click **Stop** in Machine Desktop.

The bot closes only tabs it opened itself. **Your own tabs are just released**,
never closed. After stopping, the next task uses the Machine browser again
unless you ask for yours.

## Extension status

![The Machine extension popup, connected to Machine Desktop](/images/docs/desktop/chrome-extension-popup.webp)

| The extension says | Means | Do |
|---|---|---|
| **Connected to Machine Desktop** | Ready. | Nothing. |
| **Machine is working in N tab(s)** | A bot is using your browser. | Watch, or stop it. |
| **Machine Desktop is not running** | Machine Desktop is closed. | Open it, then click **Try again**. |
| **Machine Desktop not set up** | The connection isn't set up yet. | Open a This PC thread in Machine Desktop once, then click **Try again**. |

## Privacy

> **Your browser is signed in as you**
> In your own browser, a bot can do anything you could do on those websites.
> Watch it work, and stop it if anything looks wrong. Bots follow [safety
> rules](/docs/desktop/this-pc/safety-and-stop) about payments, sending, and
> passwords, but you're in charge.

- The extension only acts when you ask for your browser.
- It talks only to Machine Desktop on your computer, not to the internet.
- Machine Desktop sets up a small helper so the extension can reach it. It
  needs no admin rights.

## Without the extension

On Windows and Mac, with **Apps, mouse and keyboard** on, a bot can still use
your browser window by looking at the screen and clicking, like a person. The
extension is faster and more precise.