Use Cortex in your browser

The extension connects the active Chrome or Microsoft Edge tab to Cortex Desktop on this computer. Keep the app open with browser integration enabled. Cortex Web does not become a local executor.

Install#

1. In Cortex Desktop, open Settings → Connected browsers and enable Use Cortex in the browser.
2. Click Install in Chrome or Install in Edge. Once the store listing is available, this opens the official page: click Add and accept the browser confirmation.
3. Until a store listing is available, the button starts assisted installation: it prepares a permanent folder, copies its path, and opens chrome://extensions or edge://extensions.

Assisted installation in three steps#

1. Turn on Developer mode on the browser extensions page.
2. Click Load unpacked.
3. Paste the copied path into the folder picker and select the folder containing manifest.json.

On Windows, a small assistant stays above the browser with instructions and a Copy path button. It requires no administrator access and changes no system policies. macOS opens a dialog; Linux uses a system dialog when Zenity is available. The illustrated guide also remains in the app.

Keep the folder in place: the browser continues loading the extension from it. If the browser cannot be found, the app explains this and leaves the path available to copy.

Connect to this computer#

1. Open the browser extensions menu and select Cortex.
2. Click Connect to this computer.
3. Return to Cortex Desktop and click Confirm connection, only if you just requested it. The request expires after one minute; keep the popup open until you confirm.
4. A green check appears in the app after authentication. Closing the app or losing the connection removes the connected status.

Alternatively, click Generate code in the app, then Use a code instead in the popup. Enter the six digits. The code expires after five minutes and can be used once.

Allow all sites at once#

1. In the extension popup, click Allow all sites (except blocked).
2. Accept the browser prompt. It requests HTTP and HTTPS site access once.
3. Cortex switches to Allow all sites except blocked. There is no need to approve each address.

The policy also appears in the app under Site permissions. Changing it in the app does not replace browser authorization: if broad access has not been granted, confirm using the popup button.

For individual control, choose Only sites I allow in the popup or Ask for each site in the app. Click Allow this site on each site you want to use. Even if broad browser permission remains granted, Cortex limits access to your individual list in this mode.

Block sites (optional)#

Add a domain such as example.com to Blocked sites in the app. Subdomains are included and blocks take priority in either mode. Remove a domain to allow it again. Internal browser pages, local files, and other protected pages remain inaccessible to the extension.

Privacy and disconnecting#

The extension communicates with the app through 127.0.0.1. The app keeps pairing tokens in the system vault, while the extension uses local browser storage. Cortex may send authorized page content to the model selected for your conversation according to your settings and the Privacy Policy.

Revoke pairing with Disconnect in the app or Disconnect from Cortex in the extension. You can start without adding any blocked sites.

Website chat is a separate feature#

The extension helps Cortex use your browser. Website chat is a support channel for your website visitors: find it in Customize → Connections, directly below Facebook and Instagram and before service connectors. See Website chat.