Puppeteer’s default browser launch arguments are command-line flags it generates for the browser—not a universal, permanent list. They vary with settings such as headless mode, DevTools, extensions, and your own arguments. To see the list for your installed Puppeteer version, call await puppeteer.defaultArgs(options) with the launch options you intend to use.
What “default arguments” means in Puppeteer
There are three related but distinct things:
- Launch options are Puppeteer settings such as
headless,devtools, andignoreDefaultArgs. - Default arguments are the browser command-line flags Puppeteer generates from those options.
argsis your array of additional command-line flags. Supplying it adds flags; it does not, by itself, replace Puppeteer’s defaults.
The official LaunchOptions API reference for Puppeteer 25.12.0 documents these controls. The actual generated list can change between releases, so a copied list should not be treated as a contract.
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How to inspect the arguments for your launch
Use defaultArgs() from the same Puppeteer package you use to launch Chrome. Pass it the relevant options so that its output reflects your intended mode and configuration.
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import puppeteer from 'puppeteer';
const options = { headless: true };
const args = await puppeteer.defaultArgs(options);
console.log(args);
const browser = await puppeteer.launch({
...options,
ignoreDefaultArgs: ['--mute-audio'],
});defaultArgs(options) returns a Promise containing the arguments that would be used for those options. See the PuppeteerNode.defaultArgs() reference. Inspection does not launch a browser; the subsequent launch() call does.
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To compare configurations, vary one setting at a time and print the resulting arrays. For example, compare { headless: true }, { headless: false }, and { headless: 'shell' }. Keep the Puppeteer version and browser executable constant while comparing, since both version and browser distribution can affect behavior. Puppeteer recommends its downloaded Chrome for Testing version and does not guarantee operation with every other Chrome version; see the LaunchOptions reference.
What the main controls change
args: add flags
Use args to pass extra command-line arguments to the browser:
const browser = await puppeteer.launch({
headless: true,
args: ['--window-size=1280,800'],
});This does not discard the generated defaults. Check the installed-version output from defaultArgs() if you need to know the combined arguments for a particular setup.
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ignoreDefaultArgs: filter defaults or omit them all
Set ignoreDefaultArgs to an array of flag strings to filter selected defaults. Puppeteer’s documented example removes --mute-audio:
const browser = await puppeteer.launch({
headless: true,
ignoreDefaultArgs: ['--mute-audio'],
});Setting ignoreDefaultArgs: true omits all Puppeteer default arguments. That is a broad change: Puppeteer may rely on defaults for expected startup and automation behavior. Start by filtering only a specific flag if you have a clear reason, and verify the resulting browser behavior. The launch API reference documents selective filtering and the all-defaults switch.
devtools and enableExtensions
With devtools: true, Puppeteer’s launch behavior sets headless mode to false by default, and the current ChromeLauncher implementation adds --auto-open-devtools-for-tabs. The implementation also changes whether it adds the default argument that disables extensions when enableExtensions is enabled. These details are implementation behavior, not a promise that every release will produce an identical list. See the LaunchOptions reference and current ChromeLauncher source.
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Headless modes and their flags
In Puppeteer 25.12.0, headless defaults to true. The supported choices select different browser behaviors:
| Setting | Meaning | Current implementation detail |
|---|---|---|
true |
Current headless Chrome. | The launcher adds --headless=new, plus headless-related flags including --hide-scrollbars and --mute-audio. |
'shell' |
The separate chrome-headless-shell binary, representing the older headless mode. It does not fully match regular Chrome; Puppeteer describes it as currently more performant for automation that does not need Chrome’s full feature set. |
The launcher adds --headless, as well as headless-related flags. |
false |
Visible Chrome. | Headless-only flags are not added as they are for headless launches. |
The exact flags are implementation details and can change. For mode descriptions, use Puppeteer’s Headless mode guide; for the list generated by your installed version, inspect defaultArgs().
What representative default flags do
The current ChromeLauncher implementation on the repository’s main branch contains flags in several broad groups. These are examples from that implementation, not a guarantee that every flag appears in every launch or future release.
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Automation and startup
--enable-automationmarks the browser as launched for automation.--no-first-runskips first-run setup.--enable-features=...and--disable-features=...configure browser features. The implementation includesPdfOopifin its enabled set and disables features including Translate, AcceptCHFrame, MediaRouter, and OptimizationHints. User-supplied feature names can be merged into these lists.
Background work and browser services
--disable-background-networking,--disable-background-timer-throttling, and--disable-backgrounding-occluded-windowsaffect background browser behavior. They do not disable all network requests made by pages.--disable-component-extensions-with-background-pages,--disable-component-update, and--disable-syncaffect browser services and components.--disable-breakpadand--disable-crash-reporterrelate to crash reporting.
Interface and interaction
--disable-popup-blockingchanges popup blocking behavior.--disable-prompt-on-repostaffects prompts when resubmitting a form.- Headless launches include
--hide-scrollbarsand--mute-audioin the current implementation. If your use case needs audio, the documented way to filter the mute flag isignoreDefaultArgs: ['--mute-audio'].
PDF, color, and runtime environment
--export-tagged-pdfand--generate-pdf-document-outlinerelate to PDF output; their presence is not a guarantee of a particular output result across Chrome versions.--force-color-profile=srgbsets a color profile for rendering.--disable-dev-shm-usage,--disable-hang-monitor,--disable-ipc-flooding-protection, and--disable-renderer-backgroundingalter runtime behavior. They should not be treated as universally required container fixes or performance improvements; needs depend on environment and browser version.
Keep Chrome’s sandbox enabled unless you have a specific, trusted-use case
The current ordinary default list does not add --no-sandbox. Chrome’s sandbox provides layers of protection against untrusted web content. Puppeteer’s troubleshooting guide recommends configuring a sandbox and strongly discourages running without one. Treat --no-sandbox as a workaround only when the content is fully trusted and a usable sandbox cannot be configured—not as a routine CI or Docker setting.
Common launch-argument problems
- A flag appears to be ignored: Check the generated array with
defaultArgs(), confirm the spelling and value, and ensure you are inspecting the same options passed tolaunch(). Verify the browser executable and version as well. - A default flag is still present after adding
args: This is expected.argsadds flags; useignoreDefaultArgsto filter a default deliberately. - Removing defaults breaks startup or automation: If you set
ignoreDefaultArgs: true, restore the defaults and filter only the specific flag you need to change. - Audio is muted in headless mode: The current implementation includes
--mute-audiofor headless launches. Filter it withignoreDefaultArgs: ['--mute-audio']and verify the behavior you need. - Chrome fails in a container: Do not assume that disabling the sandbox is the correct fix. Consult Puppeteer’s troubleshooting guidance and configure a usable sandbox where possible.
- Your inspected list differs from an online list: Lists can differ by Puppeteer release, headless mode, DevTools or extension settings, user arguments, and browser executable. Inspect the runtime that actually launches your browser rather than copying a static list.
Startup timeout and reliability considerations
Puppeteer 25.12.0 documents a default LaunchOptions.timeout of 30 seconds while waiting for the browser to start. If startup is legitimately slower in your environment, the launch API lets you configure the timeout; distinguish a slow start from an invalid flag, missing executable, or sandbox problem before changing it. This is a startup-wait setting, not a page-navigation timeout. See the LaunchOptions reference.
For repeatable debugging, record the Puppeteer version, browser executable or distribution, headless mode, DevTools and extension settings, supplied args, and whether defaults were retained, filtered, or omitted. Those details explain many otherwise puzzling differences in launch behavior.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Puppeteer’s args option replace its default browser arguments?
No. It adds command-line arguments. To omit defaults, use ignoreDefaultArgs.
What happens when I set ignoreDefaultArgs to true?
Puppeteer omits all of its default arguments. This can change expected browser startup and automation behavior.
Does Puppeteer add --no-sandbox by default?
The current ChromeLauncher implementation does not add it under ordinary options.
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