diff --git a/packages/api/index.browser.ts b/packages/api/index.browser.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d0988708ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/api/index.browser.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+import { init as initLootCore } from '@actual-app/core/server/main';
+import type { InitConfig, lib } from '@actual-app/core/server/main';
+
+export * from './methods';
+export * as utils from './utils';
+
+let internalLib: typeof lib | null = null;
+
+export async function init(config: InitConfig = {}) {
+  internalLib = await initLootCore(config);
+  return internalLib;
+}
+
+export async function shutdown() {
+  if (internalLib) {
+    try {
+      await internalLib.send('sync');
+    } catch {
+      // most likely no budget loaded, so sync failed
+    }
+
+    await internalLib.send('close-budget');
+    internalLib = null;
+  }
+}