Herd vs MCP SDK: Streamlined Browser Automation

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) SDK provides browser automation capabilities primarily focused on AI agent integration. While MCP SDK offers powerful integration with Large Language Models, Herd provides a more accessible and straightforward approach to browser automation with simplified setup and direct browser control.

Quick Comparison

Key Differences in Depth

Focus and Architecture

MCP SDK:

• Designed primarily for AI model integration
• Protocol-based communication model
• Server-client architecture
• Focus on enabling AI agents to browse
• More complex protocol implementation

Herd:

• Direct browser automation focus
• Simple client-browser connection
• Intuitive API design
• Supports Chrome, Edge, Brave, Arc, Opera
• Streamlined API for common tasks
• Designed for developers first
• Lower implementation complexity

Setup and Integration

// Install the Herd SDK
npm install @monitoro/herd

// Simple direct connection to your browser
import { HerdClient } from '@monitoro/herd';

const client = new HerdClient('your-token');
await client.initialize();
const devices = await client.listDevices();
const device = devices[0];

// Create a page and automate it
const page = await device.newPage();
await page.goto('https://example.com');

Integration with AI Systems

MCP SDK:

• Designed specifically for AI model integration
• Protocol-based approach for AI agents
• Built to enable AI systems to browse the web
• Complex implementation for general use cases
• Strong focus on AI agent capabilities

Herd:

• General-purpose browser automation
• Can be integrated with AI systems through standard APIs
• Simpler implementation for most use cases
• Direct browser control paradigm
• Focus on developer experience and simplicity

Use Case Comparisons

Basic Web Automation

// Using Herd for basic web automation
const client = new HerdClient('your-token');
await client.initialize();
const devices = await client.listDevices();
const device = devices[0];

// Create a new page
const page = await device.newPage();

// Navigate to a website
await page.goto('https://example.com/login');

// Fill login form
await page.type('#username', 'test_user');
await page.type('#password', 'password123');
await page.click('.login-button');

// Wait for navigation and verify login
await page.waitForSelector('.dashboard');
const welcomeText = await page.$eval('.welcome-message', el => el.textContent);
console.log('Login successful:', welcomeText);

await client.close();

Data Extraction Tasks

// Using Herd for data extraction
const client = new HerdClient('your-token');
await client.initialize();
const devices = await client.listDevices();
const device = devices[0];

const page = await device.newPage();
await page.goto('https://example.com/products');

// Extract data using Herd's powerful extraction API
const productData = await page.extract({
  title: '.page-title',
  products: {
    _$r: '.product-item',  // Repeat for all products
    name: '.product-name',
    price: '.product-price',
    rating: '.rating-stars',
    available: '.stock-status'
  }
});

console.log(productData);
await client.close();

AI Integration

// Using Herd with AI integration
// First, set up Herd client as usual
const client = new HerdClient('your-token');
await client.initialize();
const devices = await client.listDevices();
const device = devices[0];

// Create a function to handle AI requests for web content
async function fetchWebContentForAI(url, query) {
  const page = await device.newPage();
  await page.goto(url);
  
  // Extract relevant content based on the AI query
  const content = await page.extract({
    title: 'h1',
    mainContent: '.main-content',
    relevantSections: {
      _$r: '.content-section',
      heading: 'h2',
      text: 'p'
    }
  });
  
  // Close the page when done
  await page.close();
  
  // Return the content for AI processing
  return content;
}

// Example usage with an AI system
const aiPrompt = "Summarize the information about machine learning from example.com";
const url = "https://example.com/machine-learning";

// Get the content for the AI
const webContent = await fetchWebContentForAI(url, "machine learning");

// Feed the content to the AI system
const aiResponse = await callAISystem(aiPrompt, webContent);
console.log(aiResponse);

await client.close();

// This pattern keeps the AI integration simple and separate from
// the browser automation concerns

Migration Guide: From MCP SDK to Herd

Transitioning from MCP SDK to Herd simplifies your browser automation code. Here’s a migration guide:

Installation Steps

1. Sign up for a Herd account
2. Install the Herd browser extension in Chrome, Edge, or Brave (Firefox and Safari not supported)
3. Register your browser as a device in the Herd dashboard

2. Code Migration

3. AI Integration Approach

MCP SDK:

// AI systems implement MCP protocol directly
// Complex integration but designed for AI

// AI system would send requests like:
const request = {
  action: "evaluateElement",
  params: { selector: ".content", attribute: "textContent" }
};
// And process responses

Herd:

// Build an adapter layer for AI integration
async function getWebContent(url, aiQuery) {
  // Use Herd to fetch and extract the content
  const page = await device.newPage();
  await page.goto(url);
  const content = await page.extract({ /* ... */ });
  await page.close();
  return content;
}

// Then use this in your AI system
const content = await getWebContent(url, query);
const aiResponse = await yourAISystem.process(content);

4. Simpler Setup

Herd simplifies your automation workflow:

• No need to run a server process
• Uses your existing browser
• Simple browser extension rather than complex setup
• Supports Chrome, Edge, Brave, Arc, Opera
• Works with browsers you’re already using every day

Why Choose Herd Over MCP SDK?

1. Simpler Developer Experience

Herd provides a more straightforward approach to browser automation:

• No complex protocol implementation
• Direct browser control API
• Familiar programming model
• Lower learning curve

2. Less Infrastructure to Manage

Herd eliminates the need for additional infrastructure:

• No server to set up and maintain
• Uses your existing browser
• Simpler deployment architecture
• Fewer moving parts

3. Powerful Built-in Capabilities

Herd includes powerful features out of the box:

• Sophisticated data extraction API
• Session and cookie management
• Authentication handling
• Browser state persistence

4. Broader Applicability

While MCP SDK focuses on AI integration, Herd supports:

• General browser automation
• Web scraping and data extraction
• Testing and monitoring
• Process automation

Get Started with Herd

Ready to try a more straightforward alternative to MCP SDK? Get started with Herd:

1. Create a Herd account
2. Install the browser extension in Chrome, Edge, or Brave (Firefox and Safari not supported)
3. Connect your browser
4. Run your first automation

Discover how Herd can simplify your browser automation tasks with its intuitive API and direct browser control, providing a more accessible alternative to protocol-based approaches like MCP SDK.