Turn Any Website into a CLI Command with OpenCLI

// Before you start

What you need

Node.js version 20 or higher installed (check with: node --version)
Google Chrome or Chromium browser installed
npm installed alongside Node.js
A Chrome profile where you are already logged into the sites you want to automate

Step 1 of 5

Install OpenCLI globally

2 min

This installs the opencli command on your computer so you can run it from any terminal window. The -g flag means it installs globally, not just for one project folder.

Terminal · mac

$ npm install -g @jackwener/opencli

What you should see

A list of installed packages ending with something like 'added 120 packages' and no error messages.

This might happen

Permission denied or EACCES error on Mac/Linux

Run: sudo npm install -g @jackwener/opencli — then enter your system password when prompted.

Step 2 of 5

Install the Browser Bridge Chrome extension

3 min

OpenCLI talks to your Chrome browser through a small extension. Without it, the tool cannot see or control any browser tab. The easiest path is the Chrome Web Store. Open Chrome, visit the Web Store link for 'OpenCLI', and click 'Add to Chrome'. If the Web Store is unavailable in your region, use Option B: download the zip from the GitHub Releases page at https://github.com/jackwener/OpenCLI/releases, unzip it, go to chrome://extensions in Chrome, turn on 'Developer mode' in the top-right corner, click 'Load unpacked', and select the unzipped folder.

Terminal · mac

$ open https://chromewebstore.google.com

What you should see

The Chrome Web Store opens. Search for 'OpenCLI' and install the extension. You should see the OpenCLI icon appear in your Chrome toolbar.

This might happen

Extension installs but OpenCLI still cannot connect to Chrome

Make sure Chrome is fully restarted after installing the extension. Then run: opencli doctor — it will tell you exactly what is missing.

Step 3 of 5

Verify everything is connected

1 min

This command checks that Node.js, the opencli package, and the Chrome extension are all talking to each other correctly. Run it with Chrome open. It will print a report showing what is working and what is not.

Terminal · mac

$ opencli doctor

What you should see

A status report with green checkmarks or OK labels next to 'Node version', 'Extension', and 'Browser bridge'. If anything shows a warning or error, follow the fix it suggests.

This might happen

Doctor reports 'no connected profiles' even though Chrome is open

Click the OpenCLI extension icon in your Chrome toolbar to make sure it is active and connected. Then run opencli doctor again.

Step 4 of 5

Run your first built-in commands

2 min

OpenCLI ships with ready-made adapters for popular sites like HackerNews, Reddit, Twitter/X, Bilibili, and more. Run these commands to see them in action. The first command lists everything available. The second and third pull live data from real websites using your browser.

Terminal · mac

$ opencli list

$ opencli hackernews top --limit 5

$ opencli bilibili hot --limit 5

What you should see

opencli list prints a table of all available site commands. The hackernews and bilibili commands print a numbered list of current top posts directly in your terminal.

This might happen

A site command returns empty results or an error

The site's page layout may have changed. Run: opencli doctor — and check that your browser is open and logged in to that site.

Step 5 of 5

Let an AI agent control your browser (optional)

3 min

If you use an AI coding assistant like Claude Code or Cursor, you can install OpenCLI 'skills' into it. After this, you can type plain English instructions to your AI agent and it will navigate websites, fill forms, and extract data using your real logged-in Chrome session — no code required from you. Run this command in your terminal, then open your AI agent and try a prompt like: 'Help me check my Reddit notifications' or 'Scrape the top 10 posts from Hacker News'.

Terminal · mac

$ npx skills add jackwener/opencli

What you should see

Terminal prints confirmation that skills were installed, listing names like opencli-browser, opencli-adapter-author, opencli-autofix, and opencli-usage. Your AI agent now has access to these capabilities.

This might happen

npx skills add command is not recognized

Make sure Node.js 20+ is installed and your internet connection is active. Try running: npx --yes skills add jackwener/opencli

// Status

cooked. baked. worked.

You can pull live data from supported websites by typing a single command in your terminal. If you use an AI coding assistant, it can now navigate and interact with any website through your real logged-in Chrome session based on plain English instructions.

// the honest bit

The honest part

Built-in adapters cover a specific list of sites (HackerNews, Reddit, Twitter/X, Bilibili, Zhihu, etc.). Sites not on that list require either writing a custom adapter (which needs JavaScript knowledge) or using the AI agent browser mode. The AI agent feature only works if you already use Claude Code, Cursor, or a compatible tool — it does not add AI to a plain terminal. Some built-in adapters may break when a website redesigns its layout; the opencli-autofix skill can help repair them but may still need manual intervention. This tool is most useful for people comfortable with a terminal even if they do not write code.