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Choose an EC2 setup and connect
EC2 provides a cloud virtual server. The right Linux image and instance size depend on your application and workload; there is no single universally correct AMI or instance type for Playwright. Choose an image and architecture supported by your project, and record them alongside your runtime and Playwright version so you can reproduce the setup.
Connect using a method available for your account and instance. AWS supports SSH, EC2 Instance Connect, and Session Manager for Linux access. The prerequisites differ: SSH may require a key pair and an inbound network rule, while other methods depend on their corresponding AWS permissions and instance configuration.
Install Playwright on a Linux EC2 instance
The commands below are for an existing npm project on Linux. They assume Node.js and npm are already installed and that the project has a committed lockfile. Use the project’s own lockfile and pinned Playwright package rather than installing an unpinned version on the server.
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- Connect to the instance using your configured AWS access method, then enter the project directory.
- Install the locked project dependencies:
npm ci. This installs the versions recorded inpackage-lock.json. - Install the matching Playwright browsers and Linux dependencies:
npx playwright install --with-deps. - Run the tests headlessly:
npx playwright test.
In a CI job, the same core sequence is:
npm ci
npx playwright install --with-deps
npx playwright testPlaywright browser binaries are tied to Playwright releases, so install them after selecting or updating the package version. If you update Playwright in the lockfile, rerun the browser installation step. The --with-deps option installs the browser binaries as well as required operating-system dependencies in the documented workflow. If you need a particular browser engine, the CLI can install that engine specifically; consult the Playwright browser documentation for the command matching your installed version and platform.
Headless and headed execution
Headless: the normal server path
Playwright launches browsers in headless mode by default. For a standard test run, use npx playwright test; you do not need a desktop session or physical monitor.
Rank #2
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Headed: use a virtual display on Linux
If a test needs a visible browser window, install Xvfb using the package manager for your Linux distribution, then run the test through its virtual display:
xvfb-run npx playwright testXvfb provides a virtual display; it does not add a physical monitor or desktop session to the EC2 instance. A vendor-listed GUI image may be an option if you specifically want an interactive desktop, but it introduces a vendor and listing terms to evaluate.
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Manual installation or a preconfigured image?
| Approach | Useful when | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Install manually on a Linux AMI | You want control over the OS image, application dependencies, and pinned Playwright version. | You manage the runtime, browser binaries, system dependencies, and updates. |
| Use a vendor-preconfigured AMI | You want to evaluate an image that advertises a ready-made headless or GUI Playwright environment. | Marketplace listings are vendor offerings, not an AWS or Playwright compatibility guarantee. Check the current listing, region, account availability, and terms; independent cost and quality comparisons are not established here. |
Marketplace examples include vendor listings for headless and GUI Ubuntu environments. Listing versions and terms can change, and offers may vary by region, account, or contract. Evaluate the current listing rather than assuming its operating system, trial, or pricing details will remain the same.
Troubleshoot browser launch and test failures
- Browser executable is missing or does not launch: Run
npx playwright install --with-depsafternpm ci. If Playwright was upgraded, reinstall its browsers so their versions match the package. - Linux reports missing shared libraries or other launch dependencies: Install system dependencies with
npx playwright install --with-deps. If you use separate browser and dependency installation steps, ensure both have been run for the instance’s distribution. - A headed test fails because there is no display: On Linux, install Xvfb and run the test with
xvfb-run npx playwright test, or switch to headless execution if a visible window is unnecessary. - The cause of a browser launch error is unclear: Enable Playwright browser launch logging with
DEBUG=pw:browser, then inspect the output alongside the installed Playwright package and browser versions. - Installation commands do not match your project: The example is for npm. Follow the package manager and lockfile used by your application, and check Playwright’s documentation for the package version and Linux distribution you run.
Instance sizing, reliability, and cost
There is no workload-independent instance size, minimum memory figure, throughput result, or EC2 cost established for this setup. Resource needs depend on what your tests load and how many browser jobs you run concurrently. Start with a workload-appropriate instance, observe its behavior under your own test suite, and adjust based on your results rather than treating an unmeasured size as a recommendation.
Rank #4
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For repeatable runs, keep the runtime and Playwright package pinned, install dependencies from the lockfile, and install browser binaries after the package installation. Record the Linux image and architecture as part of the environment. Those steps reduce version drift; they do not guarantee compatibility across every Linux distribution or workload.
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Best Value
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run Playwright on an EC2 instance without a graphical desktop?
Yes. Headless execution is the default; a desktop or virtual display is only needed for headed Linux runs.
Does a preconfigured Playwright AMI guarantee compatibility with my project?
No. A vendor listing is an option to evaluate, not a compatibility guarantee. Check its current image details and terms against your project.
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