Call puppeteer.launch() to start a browser; it resolves to a Browser object you can use to open pages. A basic launch is headless by default. If you use puppeteer-core, specify a browser with executablePath or channel.
How do I launch Puppeteer?
Install the full puppeteer package for the simplest setup. It downloads a compatible Chrome for Testing browser by default. The official PuppeteerNode example uses this sequence: launch, create a page, navigate, then close the browser.
import puppeteer from 'puppeteer';
const browser = await puppeteer.launch();
try {
const page = await browser.newPage();
await page.goto('https://www.google.com');
// Perform automation tasks here.
} finally {
await browser.close();
}The try/finally ensures the browser is closed even if navigation or another task fails. In a script that already manages cleanup another way, the essential launch call is simply const browser = await puppeteer.launch();. See the PuppeteerNode launch example.
How do I run Puppeteer headless?
Headless is the default, so await puppeteer.launch() is equivalent to await puppeteer.launch({ headless: true }). The LaunchOptions API reference, shown as version 25.12.0, documents these modes; check the reference for the version installed in your project because options can change.
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| Setting | What it launches | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
Omitted or headless: true |
New headless Chrome | You want the default non-visible browser mode. |
headless: 'shell' |
chrome-headless-shell |
Your automation does not need the full feature set of regular Chrome. The shell may be more performant for such tasks, but it does not fully match regular Chrome. |
headless: false |
A visible browser window | You need to watch the browser while debugging or interacting with it. |
const browser = await puppeteer.launch({ headless: false });
// or:
const shellBrowser = await puppeteer.launch({ headless: 'shell' });These are mode choices, not a guarantee that every page behaves identically across modes. Choose based on whether you need a visible session or the full regular-Chrome feature set. See Puppeteer’s headless modes guide.
How do I set executablePath?
Pass the browser binary path in executablePath when you need a particular installed executable. Puppeteer recommends its downloaded Chrome for Testing version and does not guarantee compatibility with arbitrary Chrome versions. When overriding the executable, the API recommends specifying the browser as well.
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const browser = await puppeteer.launch({
browser: 'chrome',
executablePath: '/path/to/chrome'
});Replace the example path with the actual binary path for the environment where the script runs. A path valid on a developer workstation may not exist in a container or deployment host. Consult the LaunchOptions reference for supported option details.
Why does puppeteer-core need a browser path?
puppeteer-core is the browser-control library without Puppeteer’s usual browser download and management setup. Tell it what to launch using either executablePath or a browser channel, for example:
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import puppeteer from 'puppeteer-core';
const browser = await puppeteer.launch({
channel: 'chrome'
});
try {
const page = await browser.newPage();
await page.goto('https://www.google.com');
} finally {
await browser.close();
}The named channel must be available in the runtime environment. Use executablePath instead when you need to point at a specific binary. Puppeteer says it works best with the Chrome for Testing version downloaded by default; compatibility with other Chrome versions is not guaranteed. See the launch documentation.
How do I pass command-line arguments?
Use args for additional browser flags. Each flag is a separate string. Add only flags required for a specific environment or behavior rather than copying a broad collection of flags from unrelated examples.
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const browser = await puppeteer.launch({
args: ['--window-size=1280,800']
});ignoreDefaultArgs changes Puppeteer’s own default flags. Set it to true to disable all defaults, or pass an array to filter particular defaults. The API cautions that callers probably want Puppeteer’s default arguments, so use this only when you understand which flags you are removing.
How long does Puppeteer wait for launch?
The LaunchOptions reference for Puppeteer 25.12.0 lists timeout as 30,000 milliseconds by default. Set a longer value only if the environment’s observed browser startup time warrants it; setting timeout: 0 disables the launch timeout.
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const browser = await puppeteer.launch({
timeout: 60000
});A longer timeout gives a slow startup more time to complete but also delays failure when launch cannot succeed. Disabling the timeout removes that prompt failure boundary altogether, so it is not a general fix for a missing or unusable browser.
Common launch problems
puppeteer-corecannot find a browser: SetexecutablePathto an existing binary or choose an installedchannel.- The executable path works locally but not in deployment: Check the path and browser installation in the actual runtime environment; paths are environment-specific.
- A different Chrome version fails to launch or behaves unexpectedly: Prefer Puppeteer’s downloaded Chrome for Testing version. Other Chrome versions are not guaranteed compatible.
- Launch exceeds the timeout: Check whether browser startup is genuinely slow in that environment before increasing
timeout; the documented default is 30 seconds. - Changing
ignoreDefaultArgscauses unexpected behavior: Restore defaults, then filter only a specific argument if there is a clear need. - Headless-shell behavior differs from regular Chrome: Use
headless: truewhen the automation needs regular Chrome’s full feature set.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does puppeteer.launch() return?
It resolves to a Puppeteer Browser object.
Does puppeteer.launch() open a visible browser by default?
No. Headless mode is the default; use headless: false for a visible window.
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