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Use an authenticated browser session
A screenshot tool can capture only what the browser has loaded. If the browser is still showing a login form—or the site redirected the request there—the image will show that form, not the protected page. The dependable fix is to finish authentication first and verify that the intended page has loaded before calling the screenshot method.
- Sign in with an account you are authorized to use. Allow the site’s redirects and any authentication steps to finish.
- Wait for the final URL and a signed-in landmark. Check for something specific to the protected page, such as its heading or an account control. Playwright’s authentication guide demonstrates waiting for the final URL and a logged-in UI element: Playwright authentication.
- Capture the page or the relevant part of it. Choose a viewport, full-page capture, or a specific element based on what the image needs to show.
- Inspect the image before sharing it. Check both that the expected page is present and that visible account or customer information is appropriate to disclose.
For repeat captures, save the authenticated browser state after login and load it into the later browser context. Playwright recommends keeping that state in a dedicated playwright/.auth directory and adding the directory to .gitignore. See the authentication guide for the documented setup.
Save and reuse Playwright authentication state
This example assumes you have installed Playwright and its browser, and that you can complete the site’s login using an authorized account. Replace the example URLs, selectors, and any site-specific login steps with those for your application. Do not put credentials or saved authentication state in source control.
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Save state after login
Run a setup script that signs in, waits for the protected area, and writes the storage state:
import { chromium } from '@playwright/test';
const browser = await chromium.launch();
const context = await browser.newContext();
const page = await context.newPage();
await page.goto('https://example.com/login');
// Complete the site's authorized login flow here.
await page.getByLabel('Email').fill(process.env.TEST_EMAIL ?? '');
await page.getByLabel('Password').fill(process.env.TEST_PASSWORD ?? '');
await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Sign in' }).click();
// Wait through redirects and confirm a signed-in landmark.
await page.waitForURL('https://example.com/account');
await page.getByRole('heading', { name: 'Account' }).waitFor();
await context.storageState({ path: 'playwright/.auth/user.json' });
await browser.close();The labels, button text, destination URL, and heading are illustrative; use selectors and a final URL that match the site. If sign-in uses a multi-step flow, complete all of its steps before saving the state.
Load state and capture the protected page
In the later run, create a new browser context with the saved state, go to the page to capture, verify it, and take the screenshot:
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import { chromium } from '@playwright/test';
const browser = await chromium.launch();
const context = await browser.newContext({
storageState: 'playwright/.auth/user.json'
});
const page = await context.newPage();
await page.goto('https://example.com/account/reports');
await page.waitForURL('https://example.com/account/reports');
await page.getByRole('heading', { name: 'Reports' }).waitFor();
await page.screenshot({ path: 'reports.png' });
await browser.close();The URL and heading checks are deliberate: a navigation call completing does not by itself prove the site accepted the saved session. If a site redirects unauthenticated visitors, checking the final URL and a page-specific signed-in element helps catch that before producing a misleading screenshot.
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Choose the right capture scope
Playwright supports screenshots of the current viewport, the full scrollable page, a selected element, or a clipped rectangle. It also supports masking selected locators. The Page API reference documents page screenshot options, and the screenshots tool documentation describes the available capture scopes.
| Scope | Use it when | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Viewport | The relevant information fits in the visible browser window. | Content below the fold is not included. |
| Full page | You need the entire scrollable page, including below-the-fold content. | The image can be very tall and may include unrelated or sensitive content. Playwright’s screenshot tool documentation says full-page capture cannot be combined with targeting a single element. |
| Element | You need a chart, table, panel, or other specific component. | Only the selected component is captured; ensure it has loaded and is visible. |
| Clip or mask | You need a defined image rectangle or want to cover selected regions. | A mask can obscure relevant evidence as well as private information, so inspect the output. |
When a screenshot may expose private information, prefer the narrowest capture scope that still proves what you need. Playwright’s locator screenshot options can mask selected locator regions; verify the resulting image to confirm the mask covers the intended area.
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Protect saved login state and screenshot contents
Saved browser state is authentication material, not just a convenience file. Playwright warns: “The browser state file may contain sensitive cookies and headers that could be used to impersonate you or your test account.” Keep the state file out of source control, including private repositories, and restrict access to stored state and screenshot artifacts.
- Add
playwright/.authto.gitignore, as recommended in the Playwright authentication guide. - Limit access to locations that store state files or screenshots.
- Review images for account names, records, customer information, or other data that should not be shared.
- Use masking or a narrower capture target when the complete page is not needed, then check the finished file.
Why does my screenshot keep showing the login page?
The login flow has not finished
The site may redirect more than once while it sets authentication cookies or completes sign-in. Wait for the final destination and a logged-in interface element rather than taking the screenshot immediately after clicking the sign-in button. If either check fails, stop the capture and diagnose the login flow.
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Playwright’s reusable authentication state covers cookies, local storage, IndexedDB, and passkey-based authentication. Session storage is a special case: it is domain-specific and is not persisted across page loads by default. If the site relies on session storage, the ordinary saved state may not recreate the session; determine what the site requires and handle that storage explicitly.
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The state belongs to another browser setup
Do not assume authentication state captured in one browser can be reused in another. Playwright lists browser-specific authentication as a reason not to use a shared-state setup. Save and use state in the browser setup appropriate for the capture.
The capture scope is too broad or exposes unrelated data
If a full-page screenshot is too tall or includes unnecessary content, switch to the viewport or a specific element. If it contains private account data, mask the relevant region or narrow the target, then inspect the resulting image.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can a screenshot API capture a page behind a login?
Only if the request can access the authenticated page. A plain URL request does not itself sign in to a site.
Does saving Playwright state mean I never need to log in again?
No. The site may require a fresh login or use storage that the saved state does not persist, including sessionStorage by default.
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