The Tool Desk
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Record a browser flow and generate a test
Codegen opens a browser and Playwright Inspector. Interactions in the browser—such as clicking and filling fields—appear as generated code in Inspector. You can supply a starting URL on the command line or navigate to it in the opened browser.
- From your project directory, run
npx playwright codegen https://demo.playwright.dev/todomvc. To start without a URL, runnpx playwright codegenand navigate in the browser window. - Perform the user flow you want to automate. Keep the recording focused on the scenario, rather than unrelated navigation or setup.
- Use Inspector’s assertion controls to select an element and add a visibility, text, or value check where it verifies an important outcome.
- Stop recording, copy the generated code into your editor, and inspect and improve it before relying on it as a test.
The documented command syntax is npx playwright codegen [options] [url]. See the Codegen guide and CLI reference for the current commands and options.
Choose the Codegen workflow that fits the task
Record a complete test
Use the command-line workflow when you want to perform a new browser scenario and copy the resulting script. The browser is for interacting with the page; Inspector displays the generated code and recording controls.
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Insert actions into an existing test in VS Code
In the Playwright VS Code integration, put the cursor where the new actions belong and use Record at cursor. This records actions for insertion at that point rather than requiring you to start a separate test from scratch. See Getting started with VS Code.
Generate a locator without recording a whole flow
In Inspector, stop recording, choose a locator, hover to preview the match, select the target, then copy or edit the locator. The VS Code integration also has a locator picker. This is useful when the interaction is clear but you need help identifying a robust target.
Configure browser, language, and recording context
Codegen accepts options for the browser, generated file, language, and test ID attribute. The CLI reference lists Chromium, Firefox, and WebKit; Chromium is the documented default. Check npx playwright codegen --help and the documentation matching your installed Playwright version before relying on a particular flag.
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| Need | Option or workflow | What it changes |
|---|---|---|
| Select a browser | --browser |
Choose Chromium, Firefox, or WebKit; Chromium is the documented default. |
| Write output to a file | --output |
Specify a file for generated code. |
| Choose the generated language | --target |
Set the output language. The official CLI reference includes a Python example. |
| Set the test ID attribute | --test-id-attribute |
Tell Codegen which attribute to treat as the test ID. |
| Set the viewport | --viewport-size |
Generate actions against a chosen viewport size. |
| Emulate a device | --device |
Use a device preset, including its viewport and user agent. |
| Emulate user or environment settings | --color-scheme, --timezone, --geolocation, --lang |
Set color scheme, timezone, location, or language context. |
| Save or reuse browser state | --save-storage, --load-storage |
Save cookies, localStorage, and IndexedDB state for a later session, or load saved state. |
| Use a browser profile directory | --user-data-dir |
Use a specified browser profile directory. Chrome 136 and later prevent automated tools from accessing the default user data directory, so use a separate directory. |
| Authenticate with HTTP Basic Auth | --http-credentials |
Supply HTTP credentials during recording. The guide warns that credentials are sent to any origin requesting them and included in generated code. |
For a custom setup in a headed browser, the Codegen guide also describes using page.pause() before opening Codegen controls. Consult the Codegen guide for details.
Review generated locators and assertions
Codegen analyzes the rendered page and prioritizes role, text, and test ID locators. If a locator matches multiple elements, it attempts to make the target unique. That helps produce usable code, but it does not establish that the chosen element represents the behavior your test should cover.
- Check that each locator points to the intended control or content, especially when the page has repeated labels or similar buttons.
- Prefer meaningful user-facing attributes and explicit contracts such as
page.getByRole()when they express the intent clearly. Playwright locators resolve the current DOM element when an action runs, which can help when the DOM changes between actions. - Review each action against the intended scenario. Remove accidental interactions and add any setup or cleanup the test needs.
- Make assertions verify meaningful outcomes, not merely that the recorded clicks ran. Playwright recommends web-first assertions, which wait and retry for the expected condition; for example:
await expect(page.getByText('welcome')).toBeVisible().
See the official locator guide and best practices for locator and assertion guidance.
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Handle authentication state and credentials safely
A storage file created with --save-storage can include cookies, localStorage, and IndexedDB data that grants access to an account. Keep it local, add it to .gitignore, or delete it when you are finished. Treat it as a secret rather than ordinary test output.
HTTP Basic Auth needs separate care: the Codegen guide warns that credentials supplied with --http-credentials are sent to any origin that requests them during recording and are included in generated code. Avoid committing those values; use an appropriate secret-handling approach for your project.
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The browser or Inspector does not start
Run the command from the intended Playwright project and check the installed version’s npx playwright codegen --help output. Confirm the requested browser and options are supported by that installation; the CLI reference is the source for the documented syntax.
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The generated locator is ambiguous or targets the wrong element
Use Inspector’s locator picker to preview the element and adjust the locator. Check for repeated text or controls, and consider a role-based locator or the project’s test ID attribute. Codegen attempts to disambiguate matches, but generated output still needs review.
The page depends on a particular viewport, locale, or device
Record with the relevant context rather than accepting a default desktop setup. Set a viewport or device preset, and use the documented locale, timezone, geolocation, and color-scheme options when those settings affect the page’s behavior.
The test starts logged out
Save the authenticated browser state with --save-storage, then load it for a later recording or run with --load-storage. Protect the resulting file because it can contain sensitive authentication data.
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A Chrome profile cannot be reused
With Chrome 136 and later, automated tools cannot access the default user data directory. Use a separate profile directory with --user-data-dir instead.
Or skip the browser setup
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can Codegen generate a locator without recording a test?
Yes. Stop recording in Inspector, use the locator picker to preview and select an element, then copy or edit the locator.
Can I record actions into an existing test in VS Code?
Yes. Place the cursor at the insertion point and use the Playwright extension’s Record at cursor workflow.
Quick Recap
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