Use Playwright to visit each URL and save its screenshot, then use a scheduler such as GitHub Actions to run the script at the times you choose. Playwright handles the browser work; the scheduler starts it. The example below captures URLs sequentially, records per-URL failures, and saves timestamped image files.
Build a Playwright script to capture several URLs
This Node.js example uses one browser page at a time. Sequential capture is straightforward and uses fewer browser resources than opening several pages concurrently. It saves viewport screenshots by default; set FULL_PAGE=true to capture the full scrollable document.
1. Create the project and install Playwright
-
Create a project directory and initialize it:
npm init -y. -
Install Playwright:
npm install playwright. -
Install a browser:
npx playwright install chromium. In CI, install required system dependencies as well; Playwright’s CI guidance usesnpx playwright install --with-deps.Playwright CI guidanceSpecial offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.#1 Best Overall
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Save the following as
capture.js.
const { chromium } = require('playwright');
const fs = require('node:fs/promises');
const path = require('node:path');
const urls = [
'https://example.com',
'https://playwright.dev',
];
function safeHost(url) {
return new URL(url).hostname.replace(/[^a-z0-9.-]/gi, '_');
}
function timestamp() {
return new Date().toISOString().replace(/[:.]/g, '-');
}
(async () => {
const outputDir = path.join(__dirname, 'screenshots');
await fs.mkdir(outputDir, { recursive: true });
const browser = await chromium.launch({ headless: true });
const failures = [];
try {
const page = await browser.newPage();
for (const url of urls) {
const outputPath = path.join(
outputDir,
`${safeHost(url)}-${timestamp()}.png`
);
try {
const response = await page.goto(url, {
waitUntil: 'load',
timeout: 30000,
});
if (response && !response.ok()) {
throw new Error(`HTTP ${response.status()} ${response.statusText()}`);
}
await page.screenshot({
path: outputPath,
fullPage: process.env.FULL_PAGE === 'true',
});
console.log(`Saved ${url} to ${outputPath}`);
} catch (error) {
failures.push({ url, error: error.message });
console.error(`Failed ${url}: ${error.message}`);
}
}
} finally {
await browser.close();
}
if (failures.length) {
console.error('Capture failures:', JSON.stringify(failures, null, 2));
process.exitCode = 1;
}
})();The host-and-time filename pattern is an implementation choice, not a Playwright requirement. The timestamp is generated for each capture, so a long run can produce slightly different timestamps for different URLs. If you need all files to share one run timestamp, calculate it once before the loop and reuse it.
2. Choose navigation and screenshot behavior
-
page.goto(url)navigates the page;page.screenshot({ path })writes the image. The example useswaitUntil: 'load'and a 30-second navigation timeout. Adjust the timeout to fit the sites you capture.Playwright Page API -
The default screenshot is the current viewport.
fullPage: truecaptures the full scrollable page. Full-page captures can take longer and create larger files. -
The HTTP status check records non-success responses as failures. Some sites render useful pages with non-2xx responses; remove or customize that check if those should still be captured.
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Each URL has its own
try/catch, so an unavailable site does not stop later captures. The script sets a failing process exit code if any URL failed, which helps CI report an unsuccessful run while retaining successful screenshots.Rank #2
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Run the script on a schedule with GitHub Actions
GitHub Actions can trigger the capture command using a scheduled workflow. Create .github/workflows/screenshots.yml in your repository:
name: Scheduled screenshots
on:
schedule:
- cron: '17 9 * * *'
workflow_dispatch:
jobs:
capture:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
steps:
- uses: actions/checkout@v4
- uses: actions/setup-node@v4
with:
node-version: 20
- run: npm ci
- run: npx playwright install --with-deps chromium
- run: node capture.js
- uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
if: always()
with:
name: screenshots
path: screenshots/
if-no-files-found: ignoreThe example runs daily at 09:17 UTC. GitHub documents scheduled workflow cron expressions, UTC as the default timezone, IANA timezone support, a five-minute minimum interval, and that scheduled workflows run on the default branch. Confirm current behavior in GitHub’s schedule event documentation, especially if using timezone configuration.
A schedule is a trigger, not a precise appointment. GitHub warns that scheduled runs may be delayed at high load, particularly near the start of an hour, and queued runs can be dropped. Choosing a minute away from the hour boundary can avoid that peak, but does not guarantee exact timing. The workflow above uploads the output as an artifact so the generated files are available from the run rather than relying on the temporary runner filesystem.
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-
Change the cron expression to the desired cadence. The expression
17 9 * * *means 09:17 every day in the configured timezone. -
To capture full pages in this workflow, change the run command to
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-
Artifacts are tied to workflow runs. If you need durable storage or a retention period suitable for an archive, add a storage destination or adjust artifact settings to match that need.
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If the workflow uses a non-default branch, remember that the schedule still follows GitHub’s documented default-branch behavior; merge the workflow and script to that branch accordingly.
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Choose sequential or multiple-page capture
The script reuses one page and visits URLs in sequence, minimizing browser resource use. If capture time matters more than resource use, you can create multiple pages in a browser context. Playwright supports multiple pages in a context; it does not prescribe a concurrency level for this workload.Playwright pages documentation
const context = await browser.newContext();
const pages = await Promise.all(urls.map(() => context.newPage()));
const results = await Promise.all(
urls.map(async (url, index) => {
const page = pages[index];
try {
await page.goto(url, { waitUntil: 'load', timeout: 30000 });
const outputPath = path.join(
outputDir,
`${safeHost(url)}-${timestamp()}.png`
);
await page.screenshot({ path: outputPath });
return { url, outputPath };
} catch (error) {
return { url, error: error.message };
}
})
);
await context.close();
console.log(results);Concurrent pages can increase memory, CPU, and network demand, especially when pages are heavy. Start with sequential capture; increase concurrency only after observing that the runner has enough resources. In CI, Playwright recommends setting workers to one for stability and reproducibility; that guidance concerns Playwright Test workers, not a fixed limit on pages created by a custom script.Playwright CI guidance
Make recurring screenshots comparable
A saved image is a record of what the browser rendered at that moment, not necessarily a stable visual baseline. Playwright notes that host operating system, browser version, settings, hardware, power source, and headless mode can affect rendering. For meaningful visual comparisons, use the same environment as the baseline and keep those variables stable.Playwright visual comparisons
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If the purpose is visual regression testing rather than periodic archiving, use Playwright Test’s expect(page).toHaveScreenshot(). Screenshot assertions wait for two consecutive screenshots to match before comparing against a baseline, and they work with the Playwright test runner. They are a testing workflow, distinct from simply saving timestamped screenshots.
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Troubleshoot failed scheduled captures
-
Browser executable is missing: install Chromium locally with
npx playwright install chromium; in CI usenpx playwright install --with-deps chromiumso browser and system dependencies are present. -
Navigation times out: the page may be slow, blocked, or waiting on resources. Increase the timeout for genuinely slow pages, check the runner’s network access, or choose an appropriate readiness condition. Do not assume that a longer timeout fixes a site that actively blocks automation.
-
A screenshot is blank or incomplete: the page may render content after the load event, or defer images until scrolling. Consider waiting for a relevant selector or a suitable delay before capturing. For lazy-loaded full-page content, test the site behavior; a full-page screenshot option alone does not guarantee every site has loaded deferred assets.
-
Some URLs fail while others succeed: inspect the logged URL-specific errors and HTTP status. The script continues through the list and returns a nonzero result if any capture failed.
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The workflow appears late or did not run at the expected minute: scheduled Actions runs can be delayed or dropped under high load. GitHub cron is not a precision scheduler; use another scheduling system if a strict execution time is essential.
-
Images differ from previous captures: stabilize browser version, operating system, headless settings, and runner environment, and account for dynamic page content such as timestamps or rotating promotions.
-
No screenshots appear in the workflow run: confirm the script writes to the
screenshots/directory and inspect the job logs. The artifact upload step usesif: always()so outputs can be retained even when a capture fails.
Or skip the browser setup
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can Playwright take screenshots of several URLs in parallel?
Yes. Create multiple pages in a browser context and navigate them concurrently; the example above shows this pattern. Keep concurrency within the runner’s available resources.
Does GitHub Actions guarantee a scheduled run at an exact time?
No. Scheduled workflows can be delayed during periods of high Actions load, and some queued jobs can be dropped.
Can I use these screenshots for visual regression testing?
For baseline comparisons, use Playwright Test’s screenshot assertion, expect(page).toHaveScreenshot(), rather than treating periodic image files as test baselines.
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