> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://developers.oxylabs.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://developers.oxylabs.io/products/headless-browser/persistent-sessions-and-profiles.md).

# Persistent Sessions & Profiles

Managing long-running multi-stage automation workflows or maintaining logged-in user states across distinct connection sequences requires persisting browser states. Oxylabs Headless Browser offers two advanced persistence systems:

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="178"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><a href="#persistent-sessions-sticky-sessions"><strong>Persistent Sessions</strong></a></td><td>Keep a live remote browser environment running across client disconnections.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="#persistent-profiles"><strong>Persistent Profiles</strong></a></td><td>Save and restore cookies, local storage, and browser cache. <em>(Activation required)</em></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Persistent Sessions

Persistent (sticky) Sessions keep your remote browser instance running in the cloud (even when your local automation script disconnects) by defining a custom `session_name` to your connection URL:

```bash
wss://USER:PASS@ubc.oxylabs.io?session_name=checkout-flow-test
```

<table><thead><tr><th width="127">Parameter</th><th width="534">Description</th><th width="98">Type</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><code>session_name</code></td><td>When defined, a sessions persist up to the maximum time-to-live (TTL) (max 24h or until stopped). Reconnect with the same <code>session_name</code> to reattach the same session ID and existing tabs. Supported format: <code>^[A-Za-z0-9-]{3,36}$</code></td><td>String</td></tr><tr><td><code>keep_alive</code></td><td>While <code>true</code> (default), the session stays on in the cloud after you disconnect (up to max TTL – 24h).<br>While <code>false</code>, calling <code>browser.close()</code> reclaims and closes the session.</td><td>Boolean</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Reconnect to an existing tab

```javascript
// Reconnect to existing session with 
const browser = await chromium.connectOverCDP(endpoint);
const ctx = browser.contexts()[0];
const page = ctx.pages().find(p => p.url().includes("http://example.com "));
```

## Persistent Profiles

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Persistent Profiles** feature and `o_profile` parameters are restricted by default. To access them, contact Oxylabs support ([live chat](https://oxylabs.io/) or [email](mailto:support@oxylabs.io)) or your Dedicated Account Manager.
{% endhint %}

Save cookies and localStorage under a named profile and restore them in a brand-new session. Using the following parameters lets you maintain a logged-in persona across sessions without re-authenticating every time:

<table><thead><tr><th width="191">Parameter</th><th width="456">Description</th><th width="102">Type</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><code>o_profile</code></td><td>Save/restore cookies and localStorage with a named profile (14 days from last use). Supported format: <code>^[A-Za-z0-9_-]{1,36}$</code></td><td>String</td></tr><tr><td><code>o_profile_save</code></td><td>Force profile save mid-session. Default: <code>true</code>.</td><td>Boolean</td></tr><tr><td><code>proxy_resi_ses_id</code></td><td>Custom session ID to pin residential exit IP across sessions. Supported format: <code>^[A-Za-z0-9]{3,36}$</code>.</td><td>String</td></tr><tr><td><code>proxy_resi_ses_time</code></td><td>Duration to hold the pinned residential proxy exit IP in minutes. Min <code>1</code>, max <code>1440</code> (24h).</td><td>Integer</td></tr></tbody></table>

{% hint style="info" %}
The number of profiles per account is capped (`max_profiles`). Exceeding the limit returns `CDP_LIMIT_REACHED: profile limit reached` error. Reuse one stable profile name when possible, or contact Oxylabs support ([live chat](https://oxylabs.io/) or [email](mailto:support@oxylabs.io)) or your Dedicated Account Manager to raise the limit.
{% endhint %}

### Reliable cross-session restore <a href="#reliable-cross-session-restore" id="reliable-cross-session-restore"></a>

For websites with strict bot monitoring systems, saving cookies is not enough. If a restored profile connects from a different residential exit IP, your cookies may get invalidated, resulting in blank pages or security verification screens.

To ensure consistent logins, pair your profile with a pinned residential exit IP:

```javascript
// Session 1: Authenticate and back up state
const connectionOne = "wss://USER:PASS@ubc.oxylabs.io?o_profile=my_user_profile&proxy_resi_ses_id=ip_session_abc&proxy_resi_ses_time=120";

// Session 2: Restore profile with the exact same IP session context
const connectionTwo = "wss://USER:PASS@ubc.oxylabs.io?o_profile=my_user_profile&proxy_resi_ses_id=ip_session_abc&proxy_resi_ses_time=120";
```


---

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