Run Playwright tests with a visible browser using npx playwright test --headed. If the browser will not launch, check for a display first (Linux CI often needs Xvfb), then install the browser binaries matching your Playwright version, install any missing Linux system dependencies, and inspect startup logs with DEBUG=pw:browser.
Run tests in headed mode
Playwright calls visible-browser execution headed; tests run headless by default. Run this from your project directory:
npx playwright test --headedTo run only a configured project or test file:
npx playwright test --headed --project=chromium
npx playwright test tests/example.spec.ts --headedReplace chromium with a project name in your Playwright configuration. The browser window is visible when the environment has a usable display.
Choose a one-off, persistent, or interactive run
One-off CLI run
Use --headed when you want to see the browser for a single test run without changing project settings.
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Make headed execution the test-runner default
Set headless: false in the test runner’s use configuration:
import { defineConfig } from '@playwright/test';
export default defineConfig({
use: { headless: false },
});Launch a browser directly
For scripts that use Playwright’s browser API rather than the test runner, set headless: false in browserType.launch(). Add slowMo when deliberately slowing actions would help you inspect them:
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import { chromium } from 'playwright';
const browser = await chromium.launch({ headless: false, slowMo: 250 });Inspect and step through tests
--debug launches the Playwright Inspector with headed execution, one worker, and relaxed timeout behavior. --ui opens the interactive test UI.
npx playwright test --debug
npx playwright test --uiFix launch errors by checking the environment
A generic “Failed to launch browser” message does not identify a single cause. Check these conditions in order: display availability, matching browser installation, Linux dependencies, then browser startup logs.
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| Symptom or environment | Likely check | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Headed run fails in Linux CI or a container | There may be no active graphical display. Playwright’s CI guide says headed execution on Linux agents requires Xvfb: Playwright CI documentation. | Install Xvfb and run xvfb-run npx playwright test --headed. |
| Error says the browser executable is missing | The browser may not have been installed, or its build may not match the installed Playwright package. | From the project environment, run npx playwright install. Playwright browser binaries are tied to Playwright releases; after upgrading the package, install the matching browsers. See the browser documentation. |
| Linux reports missing shared libraries or system packages | Required operating-system dependencies may be absent. | Where permitted, run npx playwright install --with-deps to install browsers and dependencies, or use the CLI’s install-deps command. See Playwright browser installation guidance. |
| Headed Chromium fails after a headless-only setup | A setup using --only-shell may have installed the Chromium headless shell without the regular browser build used for headed operation. |
Review the installation options and install the regular Chromium browser build. See Playwright browser installation guidance. |
| The error is generic or the cause remains unclear | Startup output can help distinguish display, executable, and dependency problems. | Enable browser logs and rerun the same command: DEBUG=pw:browser npx playwright test --headed. See Playwright debugging documentation. |
Separate browser download failures from launch failures
If Playwright cannot download its browser behind a proxy or certificate-inspecting network, that is a browser-acquisition problem, not necessarily a launch problem. For an intercepted certificate authority that Node.js does not trust, the browser guide documents NODE_EXTRA_CA_CERTS. For slow downloads, it documents PLAYWRIGHT_DOWNLOAD_CONNECTION_TIMEOUT. Consult the browser installation guide for the applicable environment setup rather than substituting an arbitrary system browser.
Quick command reference
# Run all configured tests with visible browsers
npx playwright test --headed
# Run just the configured Chromium project
npx playwright test --headed --project=chromium
# Install browsers for the Playwright package in this project
npx playwright install
# On Linux, install browsers and their system dependencies
npx playwright install --with-deps
# Use a virtual display for headed execution on Linux CI without a physical display
xvfb-run npx playwright test --headed
# Inspect browser startup logs
DEBUG=pw:browser npx playwright test --headedOr skip the browser setup
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does headed mode change how a test runs, or only make the browser visible?
It requests visible-browser execution; it does not by itself change the test assertions or replace the test-runner configuration.
Can I use headed mode on Linux CI without a physical monitor?
Yes, when a virtual display is available; the documented approach is to run the headed command under Xvfb.
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