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Set waits around page changes, not by guesswork
BrowserAct’s Wait node pauses a workflow for a configured duration so dynamic content or a page transition has time to settle. Place it after an action likely to change the page—such as navigation, pagination, scrolling, or a click that loads new content—and before the extraction step that depends on that change. The Wait Node guide advises using a sufficient but non-excessive delay and warns that a wait does not replace detecting whether the expected element is present.
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Start with the smallest delay that reliably allows the target content to appear on the site you are automating, then check that the expected state is present before extracting. The guide gives 3-, 5-, and 10-second examples for different conditions, not universal settings. Its values should not be treated as a guarantee across websites or network conditions.
Match the fix to the extraction symptom
An empty or incomplete result can mean the workflow reached the wrong state, not that it needs another identical run. BrowserAct’s troubleshooting guidance identifies several causes and corresponding checks:
- Content is still loading: Add a wait before extraction, then verify that the relevant content has appeared. The guide offers 2–5 seconds as an example for this situation, not as a guaranteed duration.
- The target is below the fold: Scroll to it before extracting if the extraction is limited to visible content.
- The data is on a detail page: Navigate from the listing to the relevant detail page before extracting.
- The extraction node does not fit the task: Use the appropriate page-level or list-item extraction pattern for the content you need.
- The site requires sign-in: Use an authorized login flow or an already authenticated session. A login page is not a successful empty result.
- The website changed: Reselect the affected element and test the workflow again.
Check the existing task before launching another
BrowserAct’s Workflow API documentation describes retrieving task status and details, listing tasks (optionally filtered by workflow), and inspecting task output. A task response can include a task_failure_info object containing a failure code and message. Check the existing task and its output before deciding another run is needed; retain the code and message when diagnosing repeated failures.
The same API documentation describes automatic retries of up to three attempts for 5xx errors in its API context. That limit does not establish automatic retries for every failed workflow step, selector issue, authentication problem, or timeout. Do not assume a non-5xx scraping failure will resolve itself through retries.
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Test workflow changes before wider execution
BrowserAct’s workflow configuration guide recommends testing and observing node execution to catch immediate errors or unexpected behavior before publishing or running more broadly. Use representative inputs and check that each node performs its intended action and that the output matches the target page. A successful test is useful evidence for that input; the guide does not establish a sample size or guarantee that it predicts all later runs.
Quick Recap
A practical order for reducing avoidable reruns
- Identify the page change the next extraction depends on.
- Add a Wait node after that change, using the shortest delay that reliably allows the content to appear.
- Check the page location and confirm the target content is present and visible before extraction.
- Choose the extraction pattern that matches the page or list-item data you need.
- Test the workflow and observe node execution before broader use.
- If a run fails, inspect its status, output, and failure code and message before starting another run.
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