Why Otto says browser control is not available

Last updated July 25, 2026

You asked Otto to do something on the web and it told you browser control is not available. This article explains what browser control actually needs before Otto can use it, how to set it up, and what it can and cannot do.

The usual fix: switch on Web browsing under Tool access

Browser control is off until you turn it on. In current versions that is one switch:

Open the Connections screen.
Under Tool access, find Web browsing (Chrome) - or Web browsing (Safari) on a Mac.
Switch it on. The Browser control row then reads as ready for Otto to use.

If the switch will not turn on, Chrome browsing needs the free Node.js tool - install it from nodejs.org and try again. No Chrome installed? Since version 1.11.8 browsing also works with Microsoft Edge, so Otto can browse on a machine that only has Edge.

Advanced: a browser server found in another app

Booked Solid can also discover browser servers set up in another app's Claude configuration on your computer. Those show up in discovery, but they are not usable by Otto until you adopt them: the app recognizes a browser server by an id or label matching playwright, browser, or chrome, and it must be adopted into Booked Solid (launch config stored encrypted here) and left enabled. Seeing a browser server in the discovery list does not mean Otto has it.

The Connections screen where browser servers are adopted and enabled

Good to know: browser control is not an email replacement

Otto is explicitly told that browser control is not a substitute for a real email connection. Even with working browsing, email work still runs through the account you added under Connections > Mail & calendars. Adding a browser does not fix an email problem - for Gmail, see Connect your Gmail with an app password (step by step).

If it still does not work

Make sure Web browsing is actually switched on under Tool access - a switched-off tool counts as unavailable.
For Chrome browsing, confirm Node.js is installed (nodejs.org).
If you went the advanced server route: check the server's id or label contains playwright, browser, or chrome, that it was adopted into Booked Solid (not just visible in discovery), and that it is still enabled.

Prefer a fully managed experience? Booked Solid OS runs on your computer and you stay hands-on. If you would rather have this handled for you on a hosted platform (lead finding, follow-ups, email sending, invoicing, all managed in one place), take a look at KM Hub from the same team.

Still stuck? Email bookedsolid@kivimedia.freshdesk.com and a person will help.

Did this answer it? If not, reply to any Booked Solid email and a human will help.