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In your Node.js project directory, run npx playwright install --with-deps to install Playwright’s browser binaries and the Linux system packages they need. If your screenshot script uses only Chromium, install just that browser with npx playwright install --with-deps chromium. Use the Playwright CLI from your project so the installed browsers match its Playwright version.

Install Playwright browsers and system dependencies

  1. Open a terminal in the project directory. If the project uses npm and has a lockfile, install its JavaScript dependencies with npm ci.

  2. Install the browsers and required operating-system packages:

    • npx playwright install --with-deps installs the default browsers and their Linux dependencies.
    • npx playwright install --with-deps chromium limits the installation to Chromium and its dependencies, which is often sufficient for a Chromium screenshot script.
  3. Run your screenshot script or tests using the project’s normal command.

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The browser binaries and Linux system packages are separate requirements: --with-deps installs both together. Playwright ties browser revisions to its releases, so run the install command again after upgrading Playwright. See the official Playwright browser installation documentation.

Choose the right installation command

Need Command What it installs
All default browsers and their Linux dependencies npx playwright install --with-deps Browser binaries and system packages.
Chromium and its Linux dependencies npx playwright install --with-deps chromium Only Chromium plus its system packages.
System dependencies only npx playwright install-deps chromium Linux packages for Chromium; does not install its browser binary.
Browser binary only npx playwright install chromium Chromium; does not install missing Linux system packages.
Check requirements without installing npx playwright install --dry-run --with-deps chromium On Linux, simulates the apt-get installation and exits non-zero when required packages are missing.

For the dry run and other CLI options, see Playwright’s command-line reference. The exact options available can depend on the Playwright version installed in the project.

Check Ubuntu and architecture support

Playwright’s current installation requirements list Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04, and 26.04 on x86-64 and arm64. Platform support can change, so check the requirements for the Playwright release your project uses: Playwright installation requirements.

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Use the same setup in CI

Playwright’s documented CI sequence is to install project packages, install browser binaries and OS dependencies, then run the tests. For an npm project with a lockfile, that looks like:

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  1. npm ci
  2. npx playwright install --with-deps
  3. Run the project’s test or screenshot command.

The CI guidance says Linux OS dependencies are not cacheable. If you cache browser binaries, key the cache to the Playwright version so a package upgrade does not leave an incompatible browser revision behind. The documented example concerns tests; apply the same installation sequence to a standalone screenshot script in the corresponding runtime. See Playwright’s CI guidance.

Troubleshoot a browser that will not launch

  • Missing shared libraries or system packages: Install the OS dependencies with npx playwright install --with-deps chromium. If the browser binary is already present and only packages are missing, use npx playwright install-deps chromium.

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  • Browser executable missing or browser revision mismatch: Use the project’s local Playwright CLI to reinstall the browser with npx playwright install chromium, or reinstall browser and system dependencies together with npx playwright install --with-deps chromium. Playwright requires browser versions matched to its release.

  • Installation is blocked by permissions or package policy: The combined Linux install needs to install OS packages. Apt permissions, proxies, or local package-management rules can prevent that step; follow the official installation guidance for your environment rather than assuming a browser-only install includes system packages.

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  • Unsure whether dependencies are missing: Run npx playwright install --dry-run --with-deps chromium. On Linux, the dry run checks the apt-get installation path and signals missing required packages with a non-zero exit status.

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Or skip the browser setup

If you need a screenshot without installing and maintaining a local browser, ScreenshotNeo provides a screenshot API and MCP server. A single GET request returns an image or PDF. For example, using cURL:

curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webp

See the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for options and response details. It removes cookie banners, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before capture; bot checks, blank pages, and failed loads are not billed. Its MCP server lets AI agents take screenshots. The free plan includes 1,000 screenshots per month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install all Playwright browsers to take screenshots?

No. Install only the browser your screenshot code uses, such as Chromium, with npx playwright install --with-deps chromium.

Does npx playwright install-deps chromium install Chromium itself?

No. It installs system dependencies only. Use npx playwright install chromium for the browser binary, or npx playwright install --with-deps chromium for both.

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