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For the standard Node.js setup, open PowerShell in your project directory, run npm init playwright@latest, then run npx playwright test. The initializer can create a starter test and configuration and install the browser binaries Playwright needs. This guide is for Playwright Test with Node.js; Python, .NET and Java use different commands.
Choose the Playwright setup that matches your language
Playwright is available through language-specific packages and workflows. The commands below are not interchangeable: use the path for the runtime and project you already work with.
| Language | Typical setup | Use this path when |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js | npm init playwright@latest |
You want the Playwright Test runner, its configuration and a starter test. |
| Python | pip install playwright, then playwright install |
Your tests or automation are written in Python. The official guide lists Python 3.8 or higher. |
| .NET | Create a .NET project, add the Playwright .NET package, then run the generated browser-install script. | You use the .NET test integration. The official guide recommends .NET 8. |
| Java | Follow the Maven-oriented Java guide. | Your application or tests use Java and Maven. |
The main walkthrough below uses Node.js and Playwright Test, the shortest route to a generated example test. For other bindings, start with the official Python guide, .NET guide or Java guide.
Set up Playwright Test with Node.js
1. Check Windows and Node.js
Playwright’s documented Windows requirements list Windows 11 or later and Windows Server 2019 or later; WSL is also listed as a supported environment. Install Node.js before creating the project. Supported Node versions can change, so check the current stable Playwright installation guide rather than treating a version mentioned on a Next documentation page as a permanent requirement.
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2. Open PowerShell in your project directory
For a new project, create or choose a directory, then open PowerShell there. Run:
npm init playwright@latestThe same initializer can add Playwright to an existing project. It prompts you to choose JavaScript or TypeScript (TypeScript is the default), a test-folder name, whether to add an optional GitHub Actions workflow, and whether to install Playwright browser binaries. Browser installation is selected by default. The initializer can be rerun later and does not overwrite existing tests.
For a new project, accept the default choices unless your team has a reason to change them. The generated project includes package metadata, a Playwright configuration file (typically playwright.config.ts) and a starter test.
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3. Run the starter test
In the same directory, run:
npx playwright testBy default, the generated configuration runs tests headlessly and in parallel across Chromium, Firefox and WebKit. The configuration can change which browser projects run. To see the browser window while a test runs, use:
npx playwright test --headedTo run only the Chromium project, use:
npx playwright test --project=chromiumTo open Playwright UI Mode, use:
npx playwright test --uiA passing run confirms that the test runner can find the generated test and launch the configured browsers. If the browser executable is missing, install the browser binaries as described below.
Install or update Playwright browser binaries
The Playwright package and its browser binaries are related but separate parts of the setup. As the official browser documentation puts it: “Each version of Playwright needs specific versions of browser binaries to operate.” Installing the package alone does not guarantee the required browser builds are present.
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If you skipped browser installation during initialization, or a test reports that a browser executable is missing, install the default browsers from PowerShell:
npx playwright installTo install just Chromium instead:
npx playwright install chromiumAfter upgrading Playwright, run the browser-install command again if tests report a missing or incompatible browser. The installed browser builds are tied to the Playwright version in your project.
Where Playwright stores browser files
On Windows, the default browser cache is %USERPROFILE%AppDataLocalms-playwright. The browser guide estimates that installed browsers take a few hundred megabytes, so allow for that disk space and download time.
If you want the browser files somewhere else, set PLAYWRIGHT_BROWSERS_PATH in PowerShell before installing, and keep it set when running tests that use that cache:
$Env:PLAYWRIGHT_BROWSERS_PATH="$Env:USERPROFILEpw-browsers"
npx playwright install
npx playwright testThe environment variable is scoped to that PowerShell session. If you open a new window, set it again before running tests, or configure it persistently using your usual Windows environment-variable workflow.
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Use Python, .NET or Java instead
Python
For a Python project, install the Playwright package and then its browser binaries:
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pip install playwright
playwright installThe official Python guide lists Python 3.8 or higher. Use the package manager and virtual-environment conventions of your project; these commands are not a substitute for the Node.js initializer.
.NET
The .NET route begins with a .NET project and the Playwright .NET package. After building the project, the guide uses a generated PowerShell script to install browsers. For a project targeting .NET 8, the example form is:
pwsh bin/Debug/net8.0/playwright.ps1 installThe script path depends on your project’s target framework and build output. If your project targets a different framework or configuration, use the matching generated path. The official guide recommends .NET 8.
Java
Java uses its own Maven-oriented setup. Follow the official Java guide for the dependency, project configuration and browser-install steps rather than running Node.js or Python commands in a Java project.
Troubleshoot common Windows setup problems
“Executable doesn’t exist” or a browser is missing
Cause: The package is installed but its matching browser binary is not, the browser download was skipped, or the package was upgraded and now expects a different build.
Fix: From the project directory, run npx playwright install. If your test uses one engine, install that engine explicitly, for example npx playwright install chromium. Confirm that you are running the command with the same project and Playwright installation as your test.
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The browser download fails on a company or restricted network
Cause: A proxy or network policy may block access to the default browser download host.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteFix: If your network administrator provides a proxy, set the proxy for the PowerShell session before installation, then retry:
$Env:HTTPS_PROXY="http://proxy.example:8080"
npx playwright installReplace the example address with the proxy address supplied for your network. Do not set proxy variables when they are not required.
The download reports a self-signed certificate chain
Cause: Some corporate proxies inspect HTTPS traffic and substitute certificates. Node.js may not trust the proxy’s certificate by default.
Fix: Ask your administrator for the trusted certificate file and set NODE_EXTRA_CA_CERTS in PowerShell before retrying the install:
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npx playwright installUse the path to the certificate provided by your organization. This is a network-specific troubleshooting step, not a routine Playwright prerequisite.
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Tests pass in one PowerShell window but cannot find browsers in another
Cause: A custom PLAYWRIGHT_BROWSERS_PATH was set only in the original session.
Fix: Set the same variable before running tests in the new session, and make sure the browsers were installed at that path.
A test passes headlessly but you expected to see a window
Cause: Playwright Test runs headlessly by default.
Fix: Run npx playwright test --headed. To narrow the run to one configured browser, add --project=chromium if that project exists in your configuration.
Practical performance and reliability notes
- Keep the package and browser builds together: after changing the Playwright version, reinstall browsers if a missing executable or version mismatch appears.
- Plan for browser storage: browser binaries take a few hundred megabytes according to the browser guide; a custom cache path can help when you need to manage disk location.
- Expect network downloads during first setup: an existing package does not imply that its browser binaries have been downloaded.
- Choose the test scope deliberately: the generated setup runs across three browser engines by default, but
--project=chromiumcan help isolate a run while diagnosing a browser-specific issue.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Playwright work on Windows 10?
The Windows requirements cited in this guide list Windows 11+ and Windows Server 2019+. Check the current official requirements before relying on an older Windows version.
Can I install only one Playwright browser?
Yes. For Chromium, run npx playwright install chromium from the Node.js project directory.
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Do I need Playwright Test to use Playwright?
No. Playwright has separate language packages and workflows, including Python, .NET and Java; choose the official guide for your runtime.
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