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How to Use Stealth Mode in Headless Browsers

Learn the documented Puppeteer Extra Stealth setup, compare headless browser modes, and see the plugin’s compatibility limits and responsible-use guidance.

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For authorized testing on systems you own or have permission to test, “stealth mode” usually means applying browser changes intended to alter some signals automation exposes—not switching on a universal, undetectable mode. A common documented setup is Puppeteer Extra with puppeteer-extra-plugin-stealth: register the plugin, launch Chromium, then use Puppeteer’s normal page API. It can change some browser-visible indicators, but its maintainers acknowledge that headless Chromium can still be detected.

What stealth mode means—and what it does not

There is no single, standard “stealth mode” switch shared by headless browsers. In the best-documented example here, stealth is a plugin that applies multiple evasion techniques to Puppeteer Extra. The project describes it as usable with Playwright Extra too, with optimization for Chromium-based browsers. That does not establish equivalent behavior across browser engines or guarantee a particular site will accept automation.

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Use these techniques for authorized QA, development, compatibility testing, or research. They are not permission to defeat a site’s access controls. The Puppeteer security policy says the calling code is responsible for ensuring browser capabilities are used safely and as intended.

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Set up Puppeteer Extra Stealth

Install the packages

The project README documents installing Puppeteer, Puppeteer Extra, and the stealth plugin with npm:

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npm install puppeteer puppeteer-extra puppeteer-extra-plugin-stealth

Register the plugin and capture a page

Create capture.js and run it with Node.js. This example navigates to a page you are authorized to test and saves a screenshot.

const puppeteer = require('puppeteer-extra');
const StealthPlugin = require('puppeteer-extra-plugin-stealth');

puppeteer.use(StealthPlugin());

(async () => {
  const browser = await puppeteer.launch({ headless: true });
  try {
    const page = await browser.newPage();
    await page.goto('https://example.com', { waitUntil: 'domcontentloaded' });
    await page.screenshot({ path: 'page.png', fullPage: true });
  } finally {
    await browser.close();
  }
})();

Replace https://example.com with your own staging or test URL. The documented setup is to import Puppeteer from puppeteer-extra, import StealthPlugin, register it with puppeteer.use(StealthPlugin()), launch, and then use the ordinary page API. The screenshot is an example of using that API; it does not demonstrate or guarantee a real-world detection outcome. See the Puppeteer Extra Stealth README for the current project guidance and its TypeScript import example.

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Using Playwright Extra

The playwright-extra package documentation describes registering the plugin with Chromium from playwright-extra. It characterizes the stealth plugin as optimized for Chromium-based browsers. Treat this as a package-specific compatibility claim, not assurance that the same behavior applies to Firefox, WebKit, or every Playwright configuration. Check the package documentation and the versions you have installed before relying on this combination; the README above is the project source for the plugin’s setup and stated compatibility.

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Choose the headless implementation for your test

“Headless” does not identify one identical browser implementation. Match the mode to what your test needs to validate rather than assuming one mode is universally more convincing or effective.

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Configuration What the browser documentation says When to consider it
Puppeteer default headless Puppeteer documentation says headless is the default. Before Puppeteer v22, the default was the old Headless mode; it is now available separately as chrome-headless-shell. The shell does not completely match regular Chrome, and Puppeteer describes it as currently more performant for automation that does not need the complete Chrome feature set. Automation where performance matters and the shell’s browser differences do not undermine the test.
Playwright headless shell Playwright ships a separate Chromium headless shell for headless mode, alongside regular Chromium for headed operation. Tests designed to run with Playwright’s default headless setup.
Playwright new headless mode Playwright documents opting into the newer headless mode through the chromium channel. Its documentation quotes Chrome’s description of new headless as the real Chrome browser, suited to higher-fidelity testing. Tests that need the documented newer headless implementation; verify that it matches the environment you intend to test.
Headful Chrome with Puppeteer Puppeteer can launch Chrome with headless: false. Tests where the target environment includes a visible browser window or where headless-specific differences are undesirable.

These distinctions describe browser modes, not detection results. Neither the newer headless mode nor a headed browser is established as a way to evade a site’s checks. Puppeteer’s current headless documentation is at Puppeteer headless modes (the page displayed version 25.12.0 when researched); Playwright’s browser options and update guidance are in its Browsers documentation.

Check framework and browser compatibility

  • Confirm the engine: the stealth project’s compatibility wording is Chromium-focused. Do not infer the same plugin behavior for Firefox or WebKit.
  • Match the test environment: Playwright documents Chromium, Firefox, WebKit, branded Chrome and Edge channels, and device configurations. Choose the engine and configuration your application is meant to support.
  • Check installed versions: browser defaults and package compatibility change. Playwright recommends keeping the framework updated; check the current documentation for your installed versions rather than relying on an old setup snippet.
  • Keep the test authorized: run against your own application or a system whose owner permits the automation.

What stealth can and cannot promise

The plugin maintainers explicitly warn that headless Chromium remains detectable and describe detection as an ongoing cat-and-mouse problem. Their README states: “It’s probably impossible to prevent all ways to detect headless chromium, but it should be possible to make it so difficult that it becomes cost-prohibitive or triggers too many false-positives to be feasible.” This is the project’s own assessment, not an independent guarantee.

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The README also says the project passes “all public bot tests.” That is a maintainer claim, not an independent benchmark and not evidence that a current target—or any particular service—will accept a browser session. Do not use a test result or plugin setting as proof that automation is invisible, universally compatible, or authorized.

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Troubleshoot a stealth-enabled test

  • The plugin does not load: confirm all three documented packages are installed, that the import for Puppeteer comes from puppeteer-extra, and that puppeteer.use(StealthPlugin()) runs before launching the browser.
  • The browser starts but the test behaves differently than headed Chrome: check which headless implementation is running. Puppeteer’s shell does not completely match regular Chrome; if the test requires a visible browser, launch with headless: false.
  • A Playwright setup behaves differently from the Puppeteer example: confirm the plugin registration follows the current playwright-extra guidance and that you are using Chromium. The plugin’s stated optimization is Chromium-focused, not a cross-engine promise.
  • A target still flags or blocks automation: detection remains possible. Verify your test is permitted and consult the site owner or use an approved test environment rather than escalating evasion changes against access controls.
  • A browser update changes results: check the current Puppeteer, Playwright, and plugin documentation and align versions with the test environment. Browser modes and package compatibility can change over time.

Or skip the browser setup

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See the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for request options. ScreenshotNeo accepts cookie/consent banners before capture and removes more than 60 known consent platforms, newsletter popups, and chat widgets; each step can be turned off. Bot checks/CAPTCHAs, blank pages, timeouts, failed loads, and cache hits are not billed, and responses identify the page verdict and billing status in headers. Its MCP server offers take_screenshot, get_page_info, and capture_pdf for AI agents. The Free plan includes 1,000 shots a month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 shots.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does stealth mode make a headless browser undetectable?

No. The plugin maintainers explicitly say headless Chromium can still be detected; stealth changes some signals, not every possible indicator.

Can I use Puppeteer Extra Stealth with Firefox or WebKit?

The plugin’s compatibility description is optimized for Chromium-based browsers. It does not establish equivalent behavior with Firefox or WebKit.

Is the Puppeteer Extra Stealth setup permission to automate any website?

No. Use it for systems you own or are authorized to test, and follow the site’s access rules.

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