---
title: Browser Sessions
subtitle: Keep a live browser open across multiple tasks and workflows
description: Skyvern browser sessions are live browser instances that persist cookies, local storage, and page state across runs. Use them for back-to-back tasks, human-in-the-loop flows, and real-time agents.
slug: developers/features/browser-sessions
icon: window-restore
keywords:
  - browser sessions
  - persistent state
  - human-in-the-loop
  - real-time agent
  - cookies
  - local storage
  - browser profile
---

A Browser Session is a live browser instance that Skyvern keeps running between runs. Cookies, local storage, open tabs, and the current page all persist, so later operations pick up exactly where the previous one stopped.

## What you can build

**Back-to-back tasks:** log in with one operation, search and extract with the next, with no re-authentication in between.

**Human-in-the-loop flows:** pause for approval between steps without losing browser state. The VNC stream lets you watch or take control at any point.

**Real-time agents:** keep a browser open for hours while the agent responds to events as they happen.

**Task and workflow chaining:** run tasks and workflows through the same live browser instance, mixing code-driven and UI-defined automation in a single session.

## Configuration

Sessions support timeouts from 5 minutes to 24 hours (defaulting to 60 minutes), proxy locations across any of Skyvern's [21 supported countries](/developers/going-to-production/proxy-geolocation), Chrome or Edge browser types, and built-in extensions for ad-blocking and CAPTCHA solving. Every session exposes a live VNC stream.

## Sessions vs. Profiles

Sessions are live browsers that bill while open. [Browser Profiles](/developers/optimization/browser-profiles) are saved snapshots of browser state you reuse across days or weeks. You can create a profile from a finished session to save its authenticated state for later.

## Learn more

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card
    title="Browser sessions guide"
    href="/developers/optimization/browser-sessions"
  >
    Create sessions, run operations through them, and close cleanly.
  </Card>
  <Card
    title="Browser profiles"
    href="/developers/optimization/browser-profiles"
  >
    Save state to reuse across days or weeks.
  </Card>
  <Card
    title="Connect your local browser"
    href="/developers/self-hosted/browser"
  >
    Use your own Chrome with its existing logins and extensions.
  </Card>
  <Card
    title="SDK reference"
    href="/sdk-reference/browser-sessions/create-browser-session"
  >
    `create_browser_session`, `get_browser_session`, `close_browser_session`.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>
