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To test a private website with Percy, configure the network component that cannot reach its destination. Set HTTP_PROXY and, when needed, HTTPS_PROXY for Percy CLI or SDK traffic; configure Percy’s discovery browser separately if it needs the proxy; and use BrowserStack Local when a remote BrowserStack browser must reach a site inside your VPN or firewall. These solve different connectivity problems.
Identify which connection is failing
There are three separate network paths to check. Percy proxy settings do not automatically make a private site accessible to a remote test browser, and BrowserStack Local does not automatically configure the Percy CLI’s connection to Percy.
| What needs access | Where the target is | What to configure |
|---|---|---|
| Percy CLI or SDK connecting to Percy | Percy’s service, through a corporate proxy | HTTP_PROXY and, if required, HTTPS_PROXY. Percy environment-variable reference |
| Percy’s asset-discovery browser | Your application or its assets, reachable through a proxy | Add a browser launch argument such as --proxy-server=http://proxy-host:port to discovery configuration. Percy proxy configuration |
| Remote BrowserStack test browser or device | A localhost, staging, or private-network site | Start and configure BrowserStack Local for the BrowserStack product and test integration in use. Local Testing overview |
Start by identifying the failing connection: runner-to-Percy, discovery-browser-to-site or proxy, or remote-browser-to-private-site. Then configure that layer rather than changing unrelated network settings.
Route Percy CLI and SDK traffic through a proxy
- Set proxy variables in the Percy process environment. Percy documents
HTTP_PROXYas sufficient in most cases. SetHTTPS_PROXYtoo if HTTPS uses a different proxy. Proxy URLs can include optional credentials, in the formhttp[s]://<username>:<password>@<domain>:<port>/. See Percy’s environment-variable reference. - If your organization uses a PAC file, configure
PERCY_PAC_FILE_URL. Percy documents local-file and HTTP-hosted PAC URL examples and says this variable takes precedence over the other Percy proxy variables. Follow your organization’s approved PAC location and proxy policy. - Run Percy from the environment that has those settings. In CI, configure the variables through the CI system’s secret and environment-variable controls. For local runs, Percy recommends setting
PERCY_BRANCH=localto avoid unintentionally updating the project’s master baseline.
Treat the Percy project token as a secret. Percy describes it as a write-only token for creating builds and uploading snapshots and resources; access to it can consume account quota. Use environment variables or CI secret management instead of committing it to source control. Percy environment-variable reference
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Configure Percy asset discovery separately
Percy’s asset discovery runs through a browser. If Percy can connect to its service but the discovery browser cannot load your application or its assets, setting the CLI’s proxy variables alone may not fix the problem. Add the proxy to the discovery browser’s launch options, for example:
--proxy-server=http://proxy.example.com:portReplace the example address with the proxy host and port approved for your network. Percy documents this browser argument separately from its SDK and CLI proxy variables. Configuring Proxy Requests
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For diagnosis, Percy documents PERCY_DEBUG=true to debug asset discovery without uploading snapshots. Its environment-variable reference lists page-load and network-idle discovery timeouts, both with a documented default of 30,000 ms. If discovery is failing or waiting too long, check the relevant timeout and debug output. Percy environment-variable reference
Reach a private site from a remote BrowserStack browser
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How the tunnel works
The Local agent running inside your network initiates an outbound connection and authenticates with BrowserStack. BrowserStack assigns a repeater; remote browsers send private-site requests through it, and the Local agent resolves those requests from inside your network. This lets a remote browser reach an internal site without exposing the internal server to the public internet. Stop the Local agent with Ctrl+C; BrowserStack describes the agent and repeater state being torn down when the session ends. How Local Testing works
Cypress Automate proxy options
BrowserStack’s Cypress-specific guide documents these configurations for Local Testing. Confirm that the option matches your BrowserStack product, integration, and organization’s network policy before applying it elsewhere.
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| Proxy setup in the Cypress guide | Documented configuration |
|---|---|
| Standard proxy, unauthenticated or HTTP Basic authenticated | --proxy-host and --proxy-port; for Basic authentication, --proxy-user and --proxy-pass |
| MITM proxy, unauthenticated or HTTP Basic authenticated | --local-proxy-host and --local-proxy-port |
| PAC file without authentication | --pac-file |
The guide says to bypass bs-local.com in the proxy if required. It also documents --force-proxy and --force-local for routing remote browser or device requests through the configured proxy and Local connection. Without those flags, the Local binary attempts direct connections where possible for performance. Use forced routing only when your routing policy requires it. Cypress proxy and firewall guide
Set up Local for Cypress
In BrowserStack’s Cypress Local Testing guide, the configuration includes setting connection_settings.local to true in browserstack.json. The guide also describes optional force-local, proxy, and verbose-logging settings in the Local configuration file. Follow that guide’s setup for your Cypress and BrowserStack configuration rather than assuming the same fields or flags apply to a different integration. Run tests on localhost and staging websites
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Troubleshoot in network-path order
- Percy cannot connect to its service: Verify that the Percy CLI or SDK process inherits the intended
HTTP_PROXYand, where needed,HTTPS_PROXY. Check the PAC setting if your organization routes traffic through a PAC file. Percy environment-variable reference - Percy connects, but page or asset discovery fails: Configure the discovery browser’s
--proxy-serverlaunch argument. UsePERCY_DEBUG=trueto investigate discovery without uploading snapshots. Percy proxy configuration - A remote browser cannot open your private page: Confirm that BrowserStack Local is running and configured for the relevant product and integration. Percy’s API proxy variables do not create this tunnel. How Local Testing works
- The Local tunnel cannot work through your proxy: Check that your proxy type and authentication match the options documented for your integration, and determine whether
bs-local.commust be bypassed. The detailed standard, MITM, and PAC guidance cited here is specifically for Cypress Automate. Cypress proxy and firewall guide - Some requests bypass the private route: Review whether the test requires
--force-localor--force-proxy. BrowserStack says its Local binary tries direct connections where possible otherwise; forced routing changes that behavior. Verify the requirement before enabling either flag. Cypress proxy and firewall guide - Credentials or tokens are exposed: Remove secrets from committed configuration and logs, rotate exposed credentials according to your organization’s process, and supply them through protected environment or CI secret settings. Percy warns that token access can consume account quota. Percy environment-variable reference
Or skip the browser setup
If the page you need to capture is reachable by ScreenshotNeo, you can request a screenshot directly instead of configuring a browser runner. ScreenshotNeo is a website screenshot API and MCP server from Yorker Media. Its API call takes a URL and returns an image or PDF; the API and capture options are documented at ScreenshotNeo documentation.
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpScreenshotNeo accepts cookie or consent banners and removes more than 60 known consent platforms, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before capture; each of those steps can be turned off. Bot checks and CAPTCHAs, blank pages, timeouts, failed loads, and cache hits are not billed, and each response identifies the page verdict and billing status in headers. Its MCP server offers take_screenshot, get_page_info, and capture_pdf for AI agents and other MCP clients. The Free plan includes 1,000 shots a month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 shots.
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Keep the two approaches distinct
Percy plus BrowserStack Local is the relevant path when you need Percy snapshots from remote BrowserStack browsers against a private site. ScreenshotNeo is an alternative for making a direct screenshot or PDF request to a page reachable by its API; its documented workflow is not a Percy snapshot or a BrowserStack Local tunnel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Percy’s HTTP_PROXY setting make a private site visible to a remote test browser?
No. It configures Percy CLI or SDK traffic. Remote BrowserStack browsers need BrowserStack Local to reach a site available only inside your network.
Does the Cypress proxy configuration apply to every BrowserStack Local integration?
The cited proxy flags and supported proxy types are documented for Cypress Automate. Verify the current setup for the specific BrowserStack product and integration you use.
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