Browser automation · MCP server
Fortress: MCP server, setup and security
Fortress is an MCP server published on GitHub that lets an AI agent fetch pages behind browser protections and extract clean data. Its repository has 773 stars and its last commit is from October 23, 2026, but it declares no licence.
| Adoption (stars) | 29/40 | |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | 30/30 | |
| Framework (licence, registry, official) | 5/30 |
What Fortress does
According to its repository: “Stealth browser for AI agents: fetch pages behind Cloudflare/DataDome/CAPTCHA, extract clean data.”
An MCP server gives an AI agent extra tools it calls during the conversation: the agent reads their description, decides to use them and gets the result back. Fortress is listed under Browser automation, a category of 109 servers in the directory, where it ranks #25 by stars.
Topics declared by the repository: bot-detection, browser-automation, chromium, fingerprinting, playwright, puppeteer.
Installing and connecting Fortress
Distribution modes declared in the official MCP registry:
- PyPI package (Python, started with
uvxorpip)
Like any MCP server, you declare it in your client's configuration (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Codex…): a name, the command that starts it or its URL, and any environment variables. The client then starts it and lists its tools. Project language: Python.
The registry lists one secret variable to provide (API key, access token). Keep them in the client's environment variables, never in a shared file or a repository.
Security: what to check
An MCP server runs code with the rights you give it, and the model reads its tool descriptions: a malicious or compromised server can hijack the agent. Read the code, or pick a maintained and widely used server, before connecting it.
Points found for Fortress:
- System access: the Browser automation category gives the agent control over files, a terminal, code or a browser. A booby-trapped instruction in content the agent reads (prompt injection) can then turn into an action.
- Secrets: the server acts with your credentials. Create a dedicated key with minimum rights and an expiry date.
- No licence: without a licence the code is not legally reusable, even if it is public. Avoid it in a company setting without the author's agreement.
Good practice: grant only the rights needed (least privilege), require human approval for irreversible actions, and run the AI agent security check.
Project activity and maintenance
Created on July 2, 2026, the tiliondev/fortress repository has 773 stars and 53 forks, with 6 open issues. It has more stars than 90% of the servers in the directory. It received changes this month. Version published in the registry: 0.1.3 (July 7, 2026).
Stars measure attention, not quality: a recent, heavily promoted project can collect them fast, while a useful but niche server will have few.
Verdict
Fortress is a reasonable choice; check the points below before connecting it.
Strengths
- Active project: recent commit
- Widely followed: 773 stars
- Listed in the official MCP registry
Limitations
- Requires an API key or token
- No licence declared
Avoid if…
- You cannot isolate the agent (sandbox, container)
- Company use without the author's agreement
- You do not want to give credentials to an agent
Alternatives
- Firecrawl MCP Server7.7K ★
- Browser use119K ★
- MCP server browser39.4K ★
- Playwright MCP38.6K ★
- SeleniumBase MCP13.1K ★
- Scrapling MCP Server89.4K ★
Learn more
Frequently asked questions
How do I install Fortress?
Fortress is distributed as PyPI package (Python, started with uvx or pip). Add it to your client's MCP configuration (Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code…) following the README of tiliondev/fortress.
Is Fortress free?
The code is public but has no declared licence: it is not formally free to reuse. It needs an API key: the service it connects to may be paid.
Is Fortress safe?
Points to watch: system access, secrets, and no licence. Give it minimum rights and approve sensitive actions.
Is it an official server?
Nothing says so: it is a project published by tiliondev on GitHub. Check who maintains it before giving it access.
What are the alternatives to Fortress?
In the same category: Firecrawl MCP Server, Browser use, MCP server browser, and Playwright MCP. Firecrawl MCP Server and Browser use score higher on our grid.
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Neutrality. No affiliate links. No vendor pays to be reviewed, rated or ranked. Reviews are directed by François Chollet, neutral and factual, and every data point is dated and sourced. How we score