Install the companion and extension, then choose where you want to talk to your AI.
Prefer to let your agent handle setup?Copy the setup prompt into Codex, Claude Code or another assistant with authorized local tools. The agent instructions cover Store and manual installation, release checksums, client configuration and a read-only connection test. Protected browser prompts and sign-in still need your involvement.
Install on Windows
The Microsoft Store companion requires Windows 11 x64, build 22000 or later, and includes its Node.js runtime. Use Chrome or Edge for the browser extension. Codex is needed only if you choose Codex or the built-in ChatGPT chat.
Install ToolBraid Companion from Microsoft Store, open it from Start and choose Connect browsers. This registers the companion for your Windows user; it does not install a browser extension or grant site access.
Add the browser extension
Download the 0.4.0 browser extension ZIP, verify it against the SHA-256 checksums and extract it to a permanent folder. Open chrome://extensions or edge://extensions, enable Developer mode, choose Load unpacked and select the extracted folder containing manifest.json. Keep that folder on disk. The separate Edge submission ZIP is not for unpacked installation.
Connect a page
Open the ToolBraid side panel on a public test page. Read the AI-control disclosure, select its confirmation checkbox and enable control for that site. Complete the browser's site-access request. In the companion, choose Check connection: expect MCP — OK, Extension — CONNECTED and Selected page — READY. This check does not require an AI account.
The advanced-tool debugger permission is declared at installation or re-enablement. There is no separate “Allow advanced tools” step. Basic page tools do not attach the debugger.
Choose one AI route below
Use your existing client, the built-in chat, or an external local-model host. You do not need to configure all three.
Alternative: manual Windows ZIP
Currently unavailable: GitHub is returning 404 for public downloads. The browser extension and source ZIP are mirrored on this site. Microsoft Store remains the supported ready-to-install companion route.
The 0.4.0 Windows x64 package includes the companion, runtime and extension. Verify its SHA-256, extract the complete ZIP to a permanent folder, close an existing ToolBraid connection and run Install.cmd as your normal Windows user, not as administrator. Load its extension folder in the browser, then continue with page access and your AI route above.
This companion is unsigned. Checksums verify integrity, not publisher identity. Do not install it over a working Store edition without deliberately switching editions. Compare editions and signing.
Optional: connect across your browser
Available since 0.3.2: Automatically connect on all sites. It is off by default. After enabling AI control, switch it on in the permission panel and approve HTTP(S) site access. Eligible existing and new tabs connect automatically in this browser profile, including after restart.
Use Excluded sites to block domains and their subdomains in both automatic and manual mode. Switching automatic connection off returns to manually connected sites, even if broad browser permissions remain. Pause control blocks new commands everywhere. Action approval settings do not change; browser-protected pages remain unavailable.
To update an existing unpacked extension, replace the files in its current folder using the ordinary 0.4.0 extension ZIP and choose Reload on its extension card. Keep the same folder and extension identity to retain settings. Version 0.4.0 also updates the companion; use the matching package through your existing installation channel.
Choose where you chat
ToolBraid is free. It includes no model subscription and does not transfer subscriptions between providers.
In Codex or another MCP client
Use a client that supports local stdio MCP servers. Sign in and select the model in that client.
In the Store companion, choose Open MCP configuration. Its generated file is %LOCALAPPDATA%\ToolBraid\store\mcp-client.json. Merge only its mcpServers.toolbraid entry into your client's configuration, or use the client's documented equivalent. Preserve existing servers and generated paths.
For the manual ZIP edition, the generated file is instead under %LOCALAPPDATA%\ToolBraid\public; its Configure-Codex.cmd helper can configure Codex. Reload the client's MCP connection once, then keep talking directly in your existing session.
Confirm ToolBraid tools appear and run the read-only check below.
A supported subscription stays in its provider's client—for example, Claude Code. A cloud-only connector cannot directly start the Windows companion. See the Claude Code example and its official authentication and MCP guides. This pairing is documented, not end-to-end certified by this release.
ChatGPT inside the ToolBraid panel
Install a current Codex CLI or Codex desktop app on this PC. Your ChatGPT account needs Codex access.
Open Your browser agent → Connection & model → Sign in with ChatGPT. Complete the official OpenAI login.
Choose Connect to Codex. Select an offered model or keep Account default.
Enable Share the selected connected page and its tools when you want page assistance. Page sharing starts off.
This route uses official Codex App Server and your account's Codex allowance. No model API key, separate model API billing, Configure-Codex.cmd or external MCP entry is needed. Being signed in on a ChatGPT browser tab does not sign in the local Codex runtime.
A local model in LM Studio
In LM Studio, load a tool-capable model that fits your machine. Choose the model and its settings there.
Open Program → Install → Edit mcp.json. Merge the generated mcpServers.toolbraid entry from your installed mcp-client.json; preserve other servers.
Enable the integration in that conversation. Use LM Studio's chat to run the read-only check, and verify that a real ToolBraid tool was called.
This route needs no ChatGPT account or cloud model key. The built-in ToolBraid chat has no local-model selector or Ollama endpoint field. Other runtimes need a client that supports both their tool calling and local stdio MCP.
See the official LM Studio MCP guide. These instructions are documentation-based, not certification of every model or pairing. Local inference does not make website actions or other integrations offline.
Start with a read
Open an ordinary public page, enable it in ToolBraid and ask your chosen assistant:
Read this page's title and summarize its visible text. Do not click or submit anything.
Check that the result refers to the intended page and that a tool actually ran before trying an action that changes anything.
Understand the controls
Built-in chat: page sharing is opt-in, and browser changes require approval in the panel.
External MCP clients: enabling direct control permits available actions, including form submission. The client's own approval rules also apply; the panel's per-action approval UI does not govern these clients.
Pause control: blocks new extension commands and stops chat and monitoring. It cannot undo an action already sent or guarantee an existing companion job stops.
Data: tool results go to your AI client. Its cloud provider, and any separately configured media endpoint, may receive the context you share.
Native WebMCP tool discovery needs both browser API support and a site that registers tools. Ordinary page reading and browser tools work independently. ToolBraid does not invent native tools for unsupported sites, and website layouts can affect browser actions.
X catch-ups and quiet monitoring
Your agent can inspect rendered replies and mentions, return original links and help draft or send the response you request. This is not a complete account archive or DM reader.
Quiet monitoring is opt-in and uses one dedicated X conversation or notifications tab while the browser is open. It creates a local inbox without model calls or automatic replies. Optional notifications contain counts, not message previews.
Live coverage includes reading, replies and a prepared video attachment. Broader media and article workflows have fixture coverage, not complete live validation. See coverage and limitations.
Help, updates and removal
My companion or AI is not connecting
Use the 0.4.0 public extension with the Store or manual companion, and check that the intended site is enabled. In the Store companion, choose Connect browsers and then Check connection. For an external client, check its generated MCP entry and reload the connection once.
For panel chat, check Codex installation, ChatGPT sign-in and page sharing. If needed, run codex login, choose ChatGPT sign-in and reconnect. Use the advanced executable field only if Codex cannot be found. Full troubleshooting guide.
Can I inspect or build the source?
Yes. The public extension, Windows companion, Store app, tests and packaging scripts are available under Apache 2.0. Browse the source, download the dedicated source ZIP, or follow the build guide. Source archives are for development, not ready-to-run installers.
How do I apply the latest update?
Use Microsoft Store to update the Store companion. Its current published version is 0.3.3.0. The unpacked browser extension updates separately: download and verify its current ZIP, replace the extracted extension files and reload it in the browser.
The manual Windows package is 0.4.0, released 14 October 2026. To update that edition, close the connection, install the complete verified Windows ZIP, reload its extension and restart an already-running MCP connection once. Do not run the ZIP installer over the Store edition. See release differences.
How do I uninstall ToolBraid?
For the Store edition, close the active browser connection, choose Disconnect browsers in the companion and uninstall it through Windows Settings. For the manual ZIP edition, use its companion uninstaller. Remove the browser extension separately.
Local connection and conversation data are retained. Follow the complete removal instructions if you also want to remove that data.
Still need help? Use the Feedback form. Your message is not public, and an email is only needed if you want a reply. Never include passwords, tokens, private page content or your full installed configuration.
Release status and signing
Store companion 0.3.3.0 is available free on Microsoft Store for Windows 11 x64. Microsoft signs the package it distributes. The companion's Store approval does not certify or install the separate browser extension.
The latest manual Windows ZIP is 0.4.0, released 14 October 2026. Its launcher is unsigned. Checksums establish file integrity, not Windows publisher trust. Do not disable system protections to install it.
The 19 September refresh includes extension and companion fixes for media uploads, file selection and replies during video playback. The companion-side changes from that refresh are not included in Store 0.3.3.0. Both editions use the separately available 0.4.0 public extension. Chrome and unpacked Edge use the ordinary extension ZIP, not the Edge submission ZIP.
The 83-second video shows actual Edge on Windows and real model responses. It has no audio. Waiting times are shortened; zooms and explanatory captions are added. No reply was posted in the demonstration.
00:00: read the live ToolBraid website and explain its WebMCP and chat features.
00:19: inspect a real public X conversation, identify feedback and draft an answer.
00:52: review the request to open the official GitHub repository.
01:06: approve navigation, open the real repository and summarize it.
01:18: show that built-in chat is optional; an existing Codex session can use ToolBraid through MCP.
The video uses the 0.3.0 interface. The 4K download is a reframed 3840 × 2160 export of a capture originally around 2566 × 1452 pixels, not native 4K capture. The website plays a lighter 1080p copy.
