diff --git a/BROWSER.md b/BROWSER.md
index 46dbc23d..baf32d5f 100644
--- a/BROWSER.md
+++ b/BROWSER.md
@@ -164,54 +164,43 @@ The window has a subtle green shimmer line at the top edge and a floating "gstac
 
 ### Chrome extension (Side Panel)
 
-A Chrome extension that shows a live activity feed of browse commands in a Side Panel, plus @ref overlays on the page. Works in any Chrome-based browser (Chrome, Comet, Edge).
+A Chrome extension that shows a live activity feed of browse commands in a Side Panel, plus @ref overlays on the page.
 
-#### Step-by-step install
+#### Automatic install (recommended)
 
-**1. Open the extensions page**
+When you run `$B connect`, the extension **auto-loads** into the Playwright-controlled Chrome window. No manual steps needed — the Side Panel is immediately available.
 
-Type `chrome://extensions` in Chrome's address bar and press Enter.
-
-**2. Enable Developer mode**
-
-In the top-right corner of the extensions page, toggle the **Developer mode** switch ON. You'll see new buttons appear: "Load unpacked", "Pack extension", and "Update".
-
-**3. Load the extension**
-
-Click **Load unpacked**. A file picker dialog opens.
-
-A file picker opens. You need to navigate to the `extension/` folder inside gstack, but macOS hides folders starting with `.` by default. The easiest way: press **Cmd+Shift+G** in the file picker to open "Go to folder", then paste one of these paths:
-
-- Global install: `~/.claude/skills/gstack/extension`
-- Project install: `<your-repo>/.claude/skills/gstack/extension`
-- Dev/source: `<gstack-repo>/extension`
-
-Press Enter, then click **Select** (select the `extension/` folder itself, not a file inside it).
-
-Alternatively, press **Cmd+Shift+.** (period) in the file picker to reveal hidden files, then navigate to `.claude/skills/gstack/extension` manually.
-
-**4. Pin the extension**
-
-Click the puzzle piece icon (Extensions) in Chrome's toolbar. Find "gstack browse" and click the pin icon so it's always visible.
-
-**5. Configure the port**
-
-Click the gstack icon in the toolbar. A popup appears with a port input field.
-
-Find your browse server port — run `$B status` or check `.gstack/browse.json` in your project root:
 ```bash
-cat .gstack/browse.json | grep port
-# or
-$B status   # shows the port in the output
+$B connect              # launches Chrome with extension pre-loaded
+# Click the gstack icon in toolbar → Open Side Panel
 ```
 
-Enter the port number and press Enter. The popup saves it and starts polling.
+The port is auto-configured. You're done.
 
-**6. Open the Side Panel**
+#### Manual install (for your regular Chrome)
 
-Click the gstack icon again, then click **Open Side Panel**. The Side Panel slides open on the right side of Chrome showing a live activity feed.
+If you want the extension in your everyday Chrome (not the Playwright-controlled one), run:
 
-Alternatively, right-click the gstack icon and choose "Open side panel."
+```bash
+bin/gstack-extension    # opens chrome://extensions, copies path to clipboard
+```
+
+Or do it manually:
+
+1. **Go to `chrome://extensions`** in Chrome's address bar
+2. **Toggle "Developer mode" ON** (top-right corner)
+3. **Click "Load unpacked"** — a file picker opens
+4. **Navigate to the extension folder:** Press **Cmd+Shift+G** in the file picker to open "Go to folder", then paste one of these paths:
+   - Global install: `~/.claude/skills/gstack/extension`
+   - Dev/source: `<gstack-repo>/extension`
+
+   Press Enter, then click **Select**.
+
+   (Tip: macOS hides folders starting with `.` — press **Cmd+Shift+.** in the file picker to reveal them if you prefer to navigate manually.)
+
+5. **Pin it:** Click the puzzle piece icon (Extensions) in the toolbar → pin "gstack browse"
+6. **Set the port:** Click the gstack icon → enter the port from `$B status` or `.gstack/browse.json`
+7. **Open Side Panel:** Click the gstack icon → "Open Side Panel"
 
 #### What you get
 
diff --git a/bin/gstack-extension b/bin/gstack-extension
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..8d0a62af
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/gstack-extension
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# gstack-extension — helper to install the Chrome extension
+#
+# When using $B connect, the extension auto-loads. This script is for
+# installing it in your regular Chrome (not the Playwright-controlled one).
+
+set -e
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")" && pwd)"
+REPO_ROOT="$(cd "$SCRIPT_DIR/.." && pwd)"
+
+# Find the extension directory
+EXT_DIR=""
+if [ -f "$REPO_ROOT/extension/manifest.json" ]; then
+  EXT_DIR="$REPO_ROOT/extension"
+elif [ -f "$HOME/.claude/skills/gstack/extension/manifest.json" ]; then
+  EXT_DIR="$HOME/.claude/skills/gstack/extension"
+fi
+
+if [ -z "$EXT_DIR" ]; then
+  echo "Error: extension/ directory not found."
+  echo "Expected at: $REPO_ROOT/extension/ or ~/.claude/skills/gstack/extension/"
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+# Copy path to clipboard
+echo -n "$EXT_DIR" | pbcopy 2>/dev/null
+
+# Get browse server port
+PORT=""
+STATE_FILE="$REPO_ROOT/.gstack/browse.json"
+if [ -f "$STATE_FILE" ]; then
+  PORT=$(grep -o '"port":[0-9]*' "$STATE_FILE" | grep -o '[0-9]*')
+fi
+
+echo "gstack Chrome Extension Setup"
+echo "=============================="
+echo ""
+echo "Extension path (copied to clipboard):"
+echo "  $EXT_DIR"
+echo ""
+
+if [ -n "$PORT" ]; then
+  echo "Browse server port: $PORT"
+  echo ""
+fi
+
+echo "Quick install (if using \$B connect):"
+echo "  The extension auto-loads when you run \$B connect."
+echo "  No manual installation needed!"
+echo ""
+echo "Manual install (for your regular Chrome):"
+echo ""
+echo "  1. Opening chrome://extensions now..."
+
+# Open chrome://extensions
+osascript -e 'tell application "Google Chrome" to open location "chrome://extensions"' 2>/dev/null || \
+  open "chrome://extensions" 2>/dev/null || \
+  echo "     Could not open Chrome. Navigate to chrome://extensions manually."
+
+echo "  2. Toggle 'Developer mode' ON (top-right)"
+echo "  3. Click 'Load unpacked'"
+echo "  4. In the file picker: Cmd+Shift+G → paste (path is in your clipboard) → Enter → Select"
+echo "  5. Click the gstack puzzle icon in toolbar → enter port: ${PORT:-<check \$B status>}"
+echo "  6. Click 'Open Side Panel'"
diff --git a/browse/src/browser-manager.ts b/browse/src/browser-manager.ts
index 4a639091..5512888a 100644
--- a/browse/src/browser-manager.ts
+++ b/browse/src/browser-manager.ts
@@ -70,6 +70,39 @@ export class BrowserManager {
 
   getConnectionMode(): 'launched' | 'cdp' { return this.connectionMode; }
 
+  /**
+   * Find the gstack Chrome extension directory.
+   * Checks: repo root /extension, global install, dev install.
+   */
+  private findExtensionPath(): string | null {
+    const fs = require('fs');
+    const path = require('path');
+    const candidates = [
+      // Relative to this source file (dev mode: browse/src/ -> ../../extension)
+      path.resolve(__dirname, '..', '..', 'extension'),
+      // Global gstack install
+      path.join(process.env.HOME || '', '.claude', 'skills', 'gstack', 'extension'),
+      // Git repo root (detected via BROWSE_STATE_FILE location)
+      (() => {
+        const stateFile = process.env.BROWSE_STATE_FILE || '';
+        if (stateFile) {
+          const repoRoot = path.resolve(path.dirname(stateFile), '..');
+          return path.join(repoRoot, '.claude', 'skills', 'gstack', 'extension');
+        }
+        return '';
+      })(),
+    ].filter(Boolean);
+
+    for (const candidate of candidates) {
+      try {
+        if (fs.existsSync(path.join(candidate, 'manifest.json'))) {
+          return candidate;
+        }
+      } catch {}
+    }
+    return null;
+  }
+
   /**
    * Get the ref map for external consumers (e.g., /refs endpoint).
    */
@@ -125,12 +158,20 @@ export class BrowserManager {
     this.refMap.clear();
     this.nextTabId = 1;
 
+    // Find the gstack extension directory for auto-loading
+    const extensionPath = this.findExtensionPath();
+    const launchArgs = ['--restore-last-session'];
+    if (extensionPath) {
+      launchArgs.push(`--disable-extensions-except=${extensionPath}`);
+      launchArgs.push(`--load-extension=${extensionPath}`);
+    }
+
     // Launch real Chrome via Playwright's channel protocol
     // This uses the system Chrome binary, headed, with real window
     this.browser = await chromium.launch({
       channel: 'chrome',
       headless: false,
-      args: ['--restore-last-session'],
+      args: launchArgs,
     });
     this.connectionMode = 'cdp';
     this.intentionalDisconnect = false;