Eight directory listings in one afternoon with a browser agent: what worked and what broke

Description and use

Automating eight directory listings in one afternoon using a browser agent running in the author’s own Chrome session reduced manual effort from a day to three hours, with post‑save read‑back catching silent errors.

Problem

Automating directory listings is hard because most sites lack write APIs and block server‑side logins, forcing manual data entry into multiple forms.

Outcome

All eight listings were completed or updated, with read‑back validation catching silent errors. The process saved roughly 21 hours compared to manual entry.

Workflow

• 1. Run the agent in the author’s Chrome browser session.
• 2. Load a rules page defining "ask before write", "never paid", "never type passwords", "paste approved texts", "read back after save".
• 3. Agent logs in as the user on each directory site.
• 4. For each site, agent fills the form with approved text, clicks save, reloads, and reads back all fields.
• 5. Agent reports any discrepancies or failures to the user for approval.
• 6. User approves or rejects each action via yes/no prompts.
• 7. Agent finalizes listings and logs completion.

Evidence

directory sites have no write API and block logins from servers, so the agent has to run in your own browser.

Source

Read anything, but ask before every click that writes, saves, submits or posts.

Source

After every save, reload and read the field back.

Source

The agent ran on my laptop, inside my own browser session, logged in as me.

Source

The worst errors were silent ones, and mine were among them.

Source