Use the callback argument passed to test.step(), capture the page with page.screenshot(), and attach the returned PNG buffer with step.attach(). This keeps the image on the specific report step instead of attaching it only to the test. Step-scoped attachments require Playwright 1.51 or newer, and the reporter you choose must support rendering them.
Attach a screenshot to the exact test.step()
test.step() can provide a TestStepInfo object to its callback. Its attach() method accepts either a file path or a byte buffer, but not both. For an in-memory PNG returned by page.screenshot(), pass the buffer as body and identify it with contentType: 'image/png'.
import { test, expect } from '@playwright/test';
test('checkout shows confirmation', async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto('https://example.com/checkout');
await test.step('verify confirmation page', async step => {
const screenshot = await page.screenshot();
await step.attach('confirmation screenshot', {
body: screenshot,
contentType: 'image/png',
});
await expect(
page.getByRole('heading', { name: 'Order confirmed' })
).toBeVisible();
});
});The awaited attach() call copies the attachment to a location reporters can access. After it resolves, a temporary file used to create the buffer can be deleted safely. Keeping the assertion in the same callback makes the screenshot evidence and the check belong to one named step.
Playwright’s TestStepInfo API documents this step-level method and notes that it was added in version 1.51. Check the version installed in your project before using it.
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Choose the correct attachment scope
Step-level evidence with step.attach()
Use the callback’s step object when the image explains one operation: a login result, a submitted form, or a confirmation page. The attachment appears in that step wherever the selected reporter supports step attachments.
Whole-test evidence with testInfo.attach()
Use the test fixture’s testInfo when the screenshot is evidence for the entire test rather than one action.
import { test } from '@playwright/test';
test('dashboard loads', async ({ page }, testInfo) => {
await page.goto('https://example.com/dashboard');
const image = await page.screenshot({ fullPage: true });
await testInfo.attach('dashboard page', {
body: image,
contentType: 'image/png',
});
});The distinction is intentional: step.attach() is nested under one test.step(), while testInfo.attach() is recorded at test scope. Do not use the latter when readers need to find the image beside a particular step.
Attach a saved screenshot instead of a buffer
A path is useful when another process already creates the image or when you want to inspect the file locally. Supply path and omit body.
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await test.step('capture payment form', async step => {
const file = 'artifacts/payment-form.png';
await page.screenshot({ path: file, fullPage: true });
await step.attach('payment form', {
path: file,
contentType: 'image/png',
});
});The API requires exactly one input form. Passing both body and path is invalid. For PNG files, explicitly setting the content type helps supporting reporters interpret the attachment as an image.
Select the screenshot area that provides useful evidence
Viewport screenshot
await page.screenshot() captures the current viewport. It is usually the smallest and fastest image and is appropriate when the relevant control is already visible.
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Full-page screenshot
const image = await page.screenshot({ fullPage: true });fullPage: true captures the complete scrollable page. It can produce a large attachment, so use it for evidence that actually depends on content below the fold.
Element screenshot
const image = await page
.getByRole('region', { name: 'Order summary' })
.screenshot();A locator screenshot isolates the component under test and avoids unrelated page content. This is often easier to read in a report than a full browser image.
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Place the screenshot after navigation, an explicit wait, or an action that produces the state you want to document. A screenshot is evidence, not a synchronization mechanism. Use Playwright assertions such as toBeVisible() to wait for the expected UI, then capture or attach the image at the point that matters.
Generate and open the HTML report
To create Playwright’s built-in HTML report, run:
npx playwright test --reporter=htmlThe documented default output directory is playwright-report. Open it with:
npx playwright show-reportThe report is a self-contained folder served as a web page. The HTML reporter’s opening behavior and output directory can be configured with options including PLAYWRIGHT_HTML_OPEN and PLAYWRIGHT_HTML_OUTPUT_DIR; consult the reporter documentation for the exact setting used by your project.
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Playwright’s API documentation says that “Some reporters show test step attachments.” Recording an attachment therefore does not guarantee identical presentation in every reporter. If the image is present in the test data but absent from a third-party UI, verify that reporter’s step-attachment support or use the HTML reporter to inspect the result.
Reusable helper for consistent step screenshots
When many tests need the same evidence format, wrap capture and attachment in a helper. The helper below keeps the screenshot scoped to the calling step and allows full-page or viewport images.
import { Page, TestStepInfo } from '@playwright/test';
export async function attachScreenshot(
page: Page,
step: TestStepInfo,
name: string,
options: { fullPage?: boolean } = {},
) {
const body = await page.screenshot({
fullPage: options.fullPage ?? false,
type: 'png',
});
await step.attach(name, {
body,
contentType: 'image/png',
});
}
await test.step('review order summary', async step => {
await attachScreenshot(page, step, 'order summary');
await expect(page.getByText('Total')).toBeVisible();
});Keep names stable and descriptive. A name such as confirmation screenshot is more useful in a long report than a generated timestamp.
Common errors and fixes
step.attach is not a function
Your installed Playwright version may predate 1.51, or the callback is not receiving the step argument. Update Playwright in the project and use async step => as the test.step() callback signature.
The image appears at test level, not under the step
The code probably calls testInfo.attach(). Move the call inside the relevant test.step() callback and call step.attach() instead.
Attachment validation fails
Pass either body or path, never both. A buffer from page.screenshot() belongs in body; a saved filename belongs in path. Set contentType: 'image/png' for PNG data.
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The report shows a download or no image preview
Check that the content type matches the bytes and that the reporter supports image attachments at step scope. The official documentation only promises rendering for some reporters. Try the HTML reporter to separate an attachment problem from a presentation limitation.
The screenshot is blank or shows the previous state
Capture after the page has reached the intended state. Wait for a meaningful locator or assertion, and ensure an action such as a click or navigation has been awaited before taking the screenshot.
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Prefer a locator screenshot or viewport capture when full-page evidence is unnecessary. PNG preserves detail but can be large; capture only the state needed to explain the step, and avoid attaching duplicate images at both step and test scope.
Performance, reliability, and maintenance considerations
- Capture only decision points. Screenshots add browser work and report storage. Attach one after a state-changing action or failed assertion rather than after every low-level operation.
- Use deterministic dimensions. Configure a consistent browser project viewport so visual evidence is comparable between runs.
- Keep the assertion separate from the capture. The screenshot documents what the page looked like; the assertion determines pass or fail. This also lets you attach evidence before an assertion throws.
- Use PNG when readability matters. It is lossless and matches the documented
image/pngcontent type. Element captures can reduce file size without hiding unrelated UI. - Check version changes. Step attachment support depends on the Playwright version installed by the project, not merely the version used by a global command.
- Validate the reporter in CI. A reporter may record attachments without displaying them in its web interface. Download or open the generated report as part of a pipeline check if screenshots are required evidence.
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curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://example.com -o shot.webpPython
import requests
r = requests.get(
"https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot",
params={"access_key": "YOUR_API_KEY", "url": "https://example.com"},
timeout=90,
)
r.raise_for_status()
open("shot.webp", "wb").write(r.content)Node.js
const q = new URLSearchParams({
access_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY',
url: 'https://example.com'
});
const res = await fetch(`https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot?${q}`);
if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`Screenshot failed: ${res.status}`);
const fs = await import('node:fs/promises');
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FAQ
Can I attach a screenshot after the step callback finishes?
No. The step-scoped API is available through the TestStepInfo callback argument, so capture and attach the image inside that callback. Use testInfo.attach() for evidence that belongs to the complete test.
Does toHaveScreenshot() attach an image to a report step?
Visual assertions and report attachments solve different problems. toHaveScreenshot() compares an image with an expected snapshot; step.attach() explicitly records evidence for the report. You can use both when a test needs comparison and a human-readable artifact.
Can a step attachment be a non-image file?
Yes. The attachment API accepts a body or path with a content type. For screenshots, use PNG bytes or a PNG path and set image/png so compatible reporters can render it correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I attach a screenshot after the step callback finishes?
No. Use the TestStepInfo callback argument inside test.step(); use testInfo.attach() for test-level evidence.
Does toHaveScreenshot() attach an image to a report step?
No. It compares against an expected snapshot. Use step.attach() when you need an explicit report artifact.
Can a step attachment be a non-image file?
Yes. Provide a body or path and the appropriate content type; PNG screenshots should use image/png.
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