feat(core): Use interactive-only snapshots by default to improve token efficiency by elsmr · Pull Request #28334 · n8n-io/n8n

elsmr · 2026-04-10T13:41:48Z

Summary

Switches the MCP browser tooling to use interactive-only ARIA snapshots by default, significantly reducing token usage when inspecting pages. Key changes:

Interactive snapshots with context refs and depth limits — new ariaSnapshot module in mcp-browser-extension that produces focused snapshots containing only interactive elements (buttons, links, inputs, etc.) with configurable depth and scoped context refs
Snapshot type/depth parameters — inspect_page and related tools now accept snapshotType (interactive | full) and maxDepth parameters, defaulting to interactive-only
Extension reliability improvements — WebSocket reconnection loop, try-catch for close races, and application-level ping/pong to prevent Chrome service worker suspension
Comprehensive test coverage — 900+ lines of tests for ARIA snapshot generation, scope validation, and ref resolution; relay connection tests for reconnection and ping/pong

How to test

Start the MCP browser server and connect via the Chrome extension
Use inspect_page — verify it returns a compact interactive-only snapshot by default
Use inspect_page with snapshotType: "full" — verify it returns the full ARIA tree
Test maxDepth parameter to control snapshot depth
Disconnect/reconnect the extension — verify automatic reconnection works

Related Linear tickets, Github issues, and Community forum posts

https://linear.app/n8n/issue/NODE-4778

Review / Merge checklist

I have seen this code, I have run this code, and I take responsibility for this code.
PR title and summary are descriptive. (conventions)
Docs updated or follow-up ticket created.
Tests included.
PR Labeled with Backport to Beta, Backport to Stable, or Backport to v1 (if the PR is an urgent fix that needs to be backported)

🤖 PR Summary generated by AI

…ests

…y-default-to-improve-token

…sertions

…worker suspension

…e races

…nect

…argetIds" This reverts commit ff9d69c.

…y-default-to-improve-token

github-actions · 2026-04-10T13:42:24Z

⚠️ Ownership acknowledgement required

Please add or check the following item in your PR description before this can be merged:

- [x] I have seen this code, I have run this code, and I take responsibility for this code.

codecov · 2026-04-10T13:46:08Z

Bundle Report

Changes will increase total bundle size by 79.04kB (0.17%) ⬆️. This is within the configured threshold ✅

Detailed changes

Bundle name	Size	Change
editor-ui-esm	45.65MB	79.04kB (0.17%) ⬆️

Affected Assets, Files, and Routes:

view changes for bundle: editor-ui-esm

Assets Changed:

Asset Name	Size Change	Total Size	Change (%)
`assets/typescript.worker-*.js`	196 bytes	10.88MB	0.0%
`assets/constants-*.js`	34.41kB	3.18MB	1.09%
`assets/worker-*.js`	724 bytes	3.16MB	0.02%
`assets/src-*.js`	-1.87MB	556.38kB	-77.06%
*`assets/src-.js`** (New)	2.43MB	2.43MB	100.0% 🚀
`assets/DataTableTable-*.js`	35 bytes	1.61MB	0.0%
`assets/index-*.js`	31 bytes	1.31MB	0.0%
`assets/ParameterInputList-*.js`	6.21kB	1.28MB	0.49%
`assets/users.store-*.js`	32 bytes	1.05MB	0.0%
`assets/expressions-*.js`	-1.01kB	857.51kB	-0.12%
`assets/NDVEmptyState-*.js`	15.65kB	737.05kB	2.17%
`assets/src-*.css`	50 bytes	491.18kB	0.01%
`assets/useCanvasMapping-*.js`	35 bytes	462.73kB	0.01%
`assets/sanitize-*.js`	1.36kB	421.7kB	0.32%
`assets/RunData-*.js`	33 bytes	345.69kB	0.01%
`assets/useImportCurlCommand-*.js`	317 bytes	324.58kB	0.1%
`assets/InstanceAiView-*.js`	35 bytes	318.35kB	0.01%
`assets/WorkflowDiffView-*.js`	35 bytes	207.19kB	0.02%
`assets/WorkflowsView-*.js`	-2 bytes	200.03kB	-0.0%
`assets/NodeView-*.js`	35 bytes	137.22kB	0.03%
`assets/usePostMessageHandler-*.js`	34 bytes	137.01kB	0.02%
`assets/WorkflowLayout-*.js`	35 bytes	127.36kB	0.03%
`assets/useRootStore-*.js`	540 bytes	127.13kB	0.43%
`assets/canvas.eventBus-*.js`	-2 bytes	117.47kB	-0.0%
`assets/router-*.js`	-994 bytes	116.81kB	-0.84%
`assets/SettingsSso-*.js`	11.35kB	105.92kB	12.0% ⚠️
`assets/NodeCreator-*.js`	34 bytes	103.9kB	0.03%
`assets/empty-*.js`	76 bytes	100.55kB	0.08%
`assets/useCanvasOperations-*.js`	35 bytes	95.42kB	0.04%
`assets/VirtualSchema-*.js`	34 bytes	94.5kB	0.04%
`assets/NodeSettings-*.js`	34 bytes	84.63kB	0.04%
`assets/CanvasRunWorkflowButton-*.js`	34 bytes	77.67kB	0.04%
`assets/ProjectSettings-*.js`	34 bytes	74.05kB	0.05%
`assets/FixedCollectionParameter-*.js`	35 bytes	73.79kB	0.05%
`assets/SettingsLdapView-*.js`	-2 bytes	71.33kB	-0.0%
`assets/WorkflowHistory-*.js`	-3 bytes	71.02kB	-0.0%
`assets/ChatGreetings-*.js`	34 bytes	68.74kB	0.05%
`assets/TriggerPanel-*.js`	34 bytes	59.29kB	0.06%
`assets/RunDataJsonActions-*.js`	-2 bytes	59.27kB	-0.0%
`assets/ChatView-*.js`	34 bytes	57.99kB	0.06%
`assets/core-*.js`	57.37kB	57.59kB	25960.63% ⚠️
`assets/core-*.js`	-613.8kB	221 bytes	-99.96%
`assets/CreditWarningBanner-*.js`	35 bytes	53.16kB	0.07%
`assets/semver-*.js`	256 bytes	52.01kB	0.49%
`assets/chat.store-*.js`	-2 bytes	49.27kB	-0.0%
`assets/SettingsMCPView-*.js`	-2 bytes	48.66kB	-0.0%
`assets/TemplatesSearchView-*.js`	-2 bytes	47.24kB	-0.0%
`assets/SettingsInstanceAiView-*.js`	-2 bytes	42.62kB	-0.0%
`assets/NodeDetailsView-*.js`	35 bytes	42.49kB	0.08%
`assets/useLogsTreeExpand-*.js`	34 bytes	41.28kB	0.08%
`assets/readyToRunWorkflows.store-*.js`	35 bytes	40.77kB	0.09%
`assets/NodeDetailsViewV2-*.js`	35 bytes	38.06kB	0.09%
`assets/ExecutionsView-*.js`	34 bytes	36.04kB	0.09%
`assets/SettingsSso-*.css`	880 bytes	34.75kB	2.6%
`assets/AgentEditorModal-*.js`	34 bytes	34.59kB	0.1%
`assets/WorkflowExecutionsView-*.js`	-2 bytes	33.27kB	-0.01%
`assets/ProjectRoleView-*.js`	35 bytes	32.66kB	0.11%
`assets/SettingsUsersView-*.js`	34 bytes	32.57kB	0.1%
`assets/AppSidebar-*.js`	-2 bytes	31.84kB	-0.01%
`assets/RunDataTable-*.js`	-3 bytes	31.8kB	-0.01%
`assets/WorkflowExecutionsPreview-*.js`	-2 bytes	31.24kB	-0.01%
`assets/usePushConnection-*.js`	-2 bytes	31.02kB	-0.01%
`assets/ExecutionsTime-*.js`	-4 bytes	29.45kB	-0.01%
`assets/ResourcesListLayout-*.js`	35 bytes	29.21kB	0.12%
`assets/SettingsSecretsProviders.ee-*.js`	-3 bytes	28.67kB	-0.01%
`assets/useRunWorkflow-*.js`	35 bytes	27.85kB	0.13%
`assets/SettingsChatHubView-*.js`	-2 bytes	27.8kB	-0.01%
`assets/WorkerView-*.js`	-2 bytes	27.77kB	-0.01%
`assets/ProjectHeader-*.js`	35 bytes	25.81kB	0.14%
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`assets/RecommendedTemplateCard-*.js`	-2 bytes	24.07kB	-0.01%
`assets/EvaluationsRootView-*.js`	34 bytes	22.98kB	0.15%
`assets/readyToRun.store-*.js`	35 bytes	22.84kB	0.15%
`assets/resourceCenterData-*.js`	-2 bytes	21.58kB	-0.01%
`assets/ChatLayout-*.js`	-2 bytes	21.47kB	-0.01%
`assets/useCustomAgent-*.js`	-2 bytes	20.8kB	-0.01%
`assets/InsightsDashboard-*.js`	-2 bytes	20.6kB	-0.01%
`assets/ProjectVariables-*.js`	35 bytes	20.43kB	0.17%
`assets/AddDataTableModal-*.js`	-2 bytes	20.19kB	-0.01%
`assets/aiTemplatesStarterCollection.store-*.js`	35 bytes	20.18kB	0.17%
`assets/assistant.store-*.js`	-2 bytes	19.37kB	-0.01%
`assets/ToolsManagerModal-*.js`	35 bytes	19.14kB	0.18%
`assets/SettingsUsageAndPlan-*.js`	-3 bytes	19.03kB	-0.02%
`assets/EvaluationsView-*.js`	34 bytes	18.84kB	0.18%
`assets/MainSidebarHeader-*.js`	34 bytes	18.31kB	0.19%
`assets/TestRunDetailView-*.js`	-2 bytes	17.91kB	-0.01%
`assets/DataTableActions-*.js`	-2 bytes	17.85kB	-0.01%
`assets/SecuritySettings-*.js`	34 bytes	17.47kB	0.19%
`assets/SettingsLogStreamingView-*.js`	-2 bytes	17.43kB	-0.01%
`assets/SettingsPersonalView-*.js`	-2 bytes	17.1kB	-0.01%
`assets/SettingsCommunityNodesView-*.js`	-2 bytes	16.41kB	-0.01%
`assets/ResourceCenterView-*.js`	-2 bytes	15.76kB	-0.01%
`assets/useAiGateway-*.js`	-2 bytes	15.66kB	-0.01%
`assets/DataTableView-*.js`	-2 bytes	14.91kB	-0.01%
`assets/ProviderSettingsModal-*.js`	-2 bytes	14.82kB	-0.01%
`assets/DataTableDetailsView-*.js`	-2 bytes	14.46kB	-0.01%
`assets/MigrationRules-*.js`	35 bytes	14.36kB	0.24%
`assets/ProjectSharing-*.js`	35 bytes	14.06kB	0.25%
`assets/CredentialPicker-*.js`	-2 bytes	13.83kB	-0.01%
`assets/SettingsApiView-*.js`	-3 bytes	13.71kB	-0.02%
`assets/ProjectRolesView-*.js`	-2 bytes	13.62kB	-0.01%
`assets/TemplatesCollectionView-*.js`	-2 bytes	13.42kB	-0.01%
`assets/SigninView-*.js`	35 bytes	13.37kB	0.26%
`assets/TemplateList-*.js`	-2 bytes	13.13kB	-0.02%
`assets/SetupTemplateFormStep-*.js`	-3 bytes	13.01kB	-0.02%
`assets/SetupWorkflowFromTemplateView-*.js`	-2 bytes	12.6kB	-0.02%
`assets/ToolSettingsContent-*.js`	-2 bytes	12.38kB	-0.02%
`assets/ToolsSelector-*.js`	-2 bytes	12.31kB	-0.02%
`assets/MigrationRuleDetail-*.js`	35 bytes	12.27kB	0.29%
`assets/collaboration.store-*.js`	-2 bytes	11.21kB	-0.02%
`assets/SettingsExternalSecrets-*.js`	-3 bytes	11.21kB	-0.03%
`assets/NodeCreation-*.js`	-2 bytes	10.85kB	-0.02%
`assets/MCPConnectWorkflowsModal-*.js`	-2 bytes	10.67kB	-0.02%
`assets/useActions-*.js`	-2 bytes	10.41kB	-0.02%
`assets/DependencyPill-*.js`	-2 bytes	10.17kB	-0.02%
`assets/OAuthConsentView-*.js`	-2 bytes	9.95kB	-0.02%
`assets/ProjectCardBadge-*.js`	-2 bytes	9.35kB	-0.02%
`assets/ResolversView-*.js`	-2 bytes	9.3kB	-0.02%
`assets/usePinnedData-*.js`	-2 bytes	9.13kB	-0.02%
`assets/CommunityNodeUpdateInfo-*.js`	-2 bytes	8.96kB	-0.02%
`assets/folders.store-*.js`	-2 bytes	8.9kB	-0.02%
`assets/SkeletonAgentCard-*.js`	35 bytes	8.82kB	0.4%
`assets/ResourceCenterSectionView-*.js`	-2 bytes	8.62kB	-0.02%
`assets/InsightsTableWorkflows-*.js`	-2 bytes	8.54kB	-0.02%
`assets/InsightsSummary-*.js`	-3 bytes	8.48kB	-0.04%
`assets/WorkflowExecutionsInfoAccordion-*.js`	-2 bytes	8.45kB	-0.02%
`assets/TagsDropdown-*.js`	35 bytes	8.29kB	0.42%
`assets/FolderBreadcrumbs-*.js`	-2 bytes	7.93kB	-0.03%
`assets/RunDataParsedAiContent-*.js`	-2 bytes	7.89kB	-0.03%
`assets/ChatPersonalAgentsView-*.js`	35 bytes	7.75kB	0.45%
`assets/WorkflowPreview-*.js`	-2 bytes	7.71kB	-0.03%
`assets/banners.store-*.js`	-2 bytes	7.71kB	-0.03%
`assets/ResourceFiltersDropdown-*.js`	-2 bytes	7.61kB	-0.03%
`assets/ExternalSecretsProviderConnectionSwitch.ee-*.js`	-2 bytes	7.59kB	-0.03%
`assets/WorkflowLocation-*.js`	-2 bytes	7.48kB	-0.03%
`assets/useCredentialResolvers-*.js`	-2 bytes	7.14kB	-0.03%
`assets/useGlobalEntityCreation-*.js`	-2 bytes	7.09kB	-0.03%
`assets/chatPanel.store-*.js`	-2 bytes	6.84kB	-0.03%
`assets/TemplatesWorkflowView-*.js`	-2 bytes	6.74kB	-0.03%
`assets/SettingsAiGatewayView-*.js`	-2 bytes	6.74kB	-0.03%
`assets/SettingsAIView-*.js`	-2 bytes	6.61kB	-0.03%
`assets/TimeAgo-*.js`	-2 bytes	6.57kB	-0.03%
`assets/insights.utils-*.js`	-2 bytes	6.18kB	-0.03%
`assets/useSettingsItems-*.js`	-2 bytes	5.88kB	-0.03%
`assets/useWorkflowActivate-*.js`	-2 bytes	5.85kB	-0.03%
`assets/ContactAdministratorToInstall-*.js`	-3 bytes	5.75kB	-0.05%
`assets/ChatWorkflowAgentsView-*.js`	35 bytes	5.63kB	0.63%
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`assets/CredentialSelectorModal-*.js`	-2 bytes	5.6kB	-0.04%
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`assets/SettingsLayout-*.js`	-2 bytes	5.01kB	-0.04%
`assets/AuthView-*.js`	-2 bytes	4.74kB	-0.04%
`assets/ModelByIdSelectorModal-*.js`	-2 bytes	4.64kB	-0.04%
`assets/ChangePasswordView-*.js`	-2 bytes	4.44kB	-0.05%
`assets/ToolSettingsModal-*.js`	-2 bytes	4.32kB	-0.05%
`assets/SetupWorkflowCredentialsButton-*.js`	-2 bytes	4.31kB	-0.05%
`assets/WorkflowExecutionsLandingPage-*.js`	-2 bytes	4.28kB	-0.05%
`assets/usePageRedirectionHelper-*.js`	-2 bytes	4.07kB	-0.05%
`assets/ProjectBreadcrumb-*.js`	-2 bytes	4.0kB	-0.05%
`assets/ChatAgentAvatar-*.js`	-2 bytes	3.8kB	-0.05%
`assets/SignupView-*.js`	-2 bytes	3.74kB	-0.05%
`assets/DemoDiffView-*.js`	-2 bytes	3.53kB	-0.06%
`assets/useExecutionHelpers-*.js`	-2 bytes	3.33kB	-0.06%
`assets/TemplatesView-*.js`	-2 bytes	3.29kB	-0.06%
`assets/CopyInput-*.js`	-2 bytes	3.25kB	-0.06%
`assets/SetupView-*.js`	-2 bytes	3.06kB	-0.07%
`assets/EntityNotFound-*.js`	-2 bytes	3.04kB	-0.07%
`assets/ForgotMyPasswordView-*.js`	-2 bytes	3.0kB	-0.07%
`assets/EntityUnAuthorised-*.js`	-2 bytes	2.86kB	-0.07%
`assets/ConnectionTracker-*.js`	-2 bytes	2.84kB	-0.07%
`assets/SelectedItemsInfo-*.js`	-2 bytes	2.67kB	-0.07%
`assets/ErrorView-*.js`	-2 bytes	2.66kB	-0.08%
`assets/utils-*.js`	-2 bytes	2.49kB	-0.08%
`assets/InsightsPaywall-*.js`	-2 bytes	2.4kB	-0.08%
`assets/InsightsChartTimeSaved-*.js`	-2 bytes	2.34kB	-0.09%
`assets/InsightsChartAverageRuntime-*.js`	-2 bytes	2.29kB	-0.09%
`assets/WorkflowOnboardingView-*.js`	-2 bytes	2.25kB	-0.09%
`assets/useFreeAiCredits-*.js`	-2 bytes	2.17kB	-0.09%
`assets/SamlOnboarding-*.js`	-2 bytes	2.16kB	-0.09%
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`assets/InsightsChartTotal-*.js`	35 bytes	1.97kB	1.81%
`assets/InsightsChartFailed-*.js`	35 bytes	1.85kB	1.93%
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codecov · 2026-04-10T13:52:56Z

Codecov Report

❌ Patch coverage is 3.57143% with 27 lines in your changes missing coverage. Please review.

Files with missing lines	Patch %	Lines
...ckages/@n8n/mcp-browser/src/adapters/playwright.ts	0.00%	21 Missing ⚠️
packages/@n8n/mcp-browser/src/cdp-relay.ts	0.00%	6 Missing ⚠️

📢 Thoughts on this report? Let us know!

github-actions · 2026-04-10T14:06:01Z

Performance Comparison

Comparing current → latest master → 14-day baseline

docker-stats

Metric	Current	Latest Master	Baseline (avg)	vs Master	vs Baseline	Status
docker-image-size-n8n	1249.28 MB	1269.76 MB	1269.76 MB (σ 0.00)	-1.6%	-1.6%	—
docker-image-size-runners	381.00 MB	386.00 MB	387.50 MB (σ 3.00)	-1.3%	-1.7%	🔴

Memory consumption baseline with starter plan resources

Metric	Current	Latest Master	Baseline (avg)	vs Master	vs Baseline	Status
memory-heap-used-baseline	112.97 MB	114.53 MB	113.09 MB (σ 1.15)	-1.4%	-0.1%	✅
memory-rss-baseline	284.00 MB	287.07 MB	281.78 MB (σ 34.50)	-1.1%	+0.8%	✅

Idle baseline with Instance AI module loaded

Metric	Current	Latest Master	Baseline (avg)	vs Master	vs Baseline	Status
instance-ai-heap-used-baseline	184.63 MB	186.51 MB	186.46 MB (< 3 samples)	-1.0%	-1.0%	—
instance-ai-rss-baseline	385.79 MB	394.55 MB	369.15 MB (< 3 samples)	-2.2%	+4.5%	—

How to read this table

Current: This PR's value (or latest master if PR perf tests haven't run)
Latest Master: Most recent nightly master measurement
Baseline: Rolling 14-day average from master
vs Master: PR impact (current vs latest master)
vs Baseline: Drift from baseline (current vs rolling avg)
Status: ✅ within 1σ | ⚠️ 1-2σ | 🔴 >2σ regression

elsmr added 10 commits April 2, 2026 18:30

feat(mcp-browser): interactive snapshots with context refs, depth limit

69ea22d

feat(mcp-browser): add snapshot scope validation and ref resolution t…

f125f43

…ests

Merge branch 'master' into node-4778-use-interactive-only-snapshots-b…

a096ca1

…y-default-to-improve-token

feat(mcp-browser): improve snapshot type/depth params and fix test as…

fbf8c9b

…sertions

fix(mcp-browser): use stable session IDs instead of raw CDP targetIds

ff9d69c

fix(mcp-browser): use application-level ping/pong to prevent service …

02ea9d3

…worker suspension

fix(mcp-browser): wrap extension WebSocket send in try-catch for clos…

ddaa7da

…e races

fix(mcp-browser): add extension reconnection loop on WebSocket discon…

24f9845

…nect

Revert "fix(mcp-browser): use stable session IDs instead of raw CDP t…

65a1f1b

…argetIds" This reverts commit ff9d69c.

Merge branch 'master' into node-4778-use-interactive-only-snapshots-b…

a30748c

…y-default-to-improve-token

n8n-assistant bot added the n8n team Authored by the n8n team label Apr 10, 2026

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feat(core): Use interactive-only snapshots by default to improve token efficiency#28334

feat(core): Use interactive-only snapshots by default to improve token efficiency#28334
elsmr wants to merge 11 commits intomasterfrom
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elsmr commented Apr 10, 2026

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