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Puppeteer defaultArgs(): How to Inspect and Customize Chrome Launch Arguments

Puppeteer defaultArgs() returns the launch arguments for the options you supply. Inspect your installed version, then customize defaults carefully.
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puppeteer.defaultArgs() returns a promise that resolves to the Chrome launch arguments Puppeteer would use for the options you pass. The exact array depends on your installed Puppeteer version and launch configuration, so inspect it locally rather than relying on a copied, supposedly universal list. The Puppeteer API reference cited here is version 25.12.0, accessed October 3, 2026.

What does Puppeteer defaultArgs() return?

The function returns a Promise<string[]>: an array of command-line argument strings for the browser launch configuration. Both the Node API method PuppeteerNode.defaultArgs(options?) and the top-level defaultArgs(options?) function have this contract. You must await the result before printing or examining it. PuppeteerNode.defaultArgs() · defaultArgs()

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It is not a fixed list that applies to every Puppeteer release, browser binary, and configuration. Puppeteer documents Chrome as its default browser, but configuration and environment variables can change browser selection. The arguments you should inspect are the ones produced by the installed package with options corresponding to the launch you intend to make. Configuration

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How do I see Puppeteer’s default Chrome launch arguments?

Inspect the top-level API

In a Node.js project using the puppeteer package, run:

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const puppeteer = require('puppeteer');

(async () => {
  const args = await puppeteer.defaultArgs({ headless: true });
  console.log(args);
})();

With ES modules, the equivalent is:

import puppeteer from 'puppeteer';

const args = await puppeteer.defaultArgs({ headless: true });
console.log(args);

Use options that match the launch configuration you are investigating. For example, the snippet asks for arguments with headless: true; it does not promise a particular printed array. The documented headless values include true for new headless mode and 'shell' for old headless mode. LaunchOptions

Inspect through a PuppeteerNode instance

If your code has a PuppeteerNode instance, call its method in the same way:

const args = await puppeteerNode.defaultArgs({ headless: true });
console.log(args);

This inspection returns the arguments for the supplied options; it does not launch Chrome. For the exact signature and return type, see the PuppeteerNode API reference.

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Check the installed version and browser context

To make the output meaningful, record which package and browser your application uses. The behavior may differ between puppeteer and puppeteer-core, versions, headless modes, and bundled versus explicitly selected browser binaries. Puppeteer says it works best with the Chrome for Testing version it downloads by default and does not guarantee compatibility with other Chrome versions. With puppeteer-core, specify a browser using executablePath or channel. Installation and browser compatibility · PuppeteerNode

How do I add or remove Puppeteer default Chrome arguments?

Add arguments without replacing the defaults

Set args in launch options to pass additional arguments:

const browser = await puppeteer.launch({
  headless: true,
  args: ['--example-flag']
});

args adds arguments; it is not the switch for replacing Puppeteer’s complete default set. Only add a flag when you know what it changes and have validated it with your browser version and workload. LaunchOptions

Filter selected defaults

Set ignoreDefaultArgs to an array of argument names to omit specific defaults. Puppeteer’s launch example filters --mute-audio:

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const browser = await puppeteer.launch({
  ignoreDefaultArgs: ['--mute-audio']
});

This preserves other defaults while excluding the named argument. Puppeteer cautions that this option should be used carefully and that you probably want the defaults. PuppeteerNode.launch() · LaunchOptions

Suppress all defaults

ignoreDefaultArgs: true tells Puppeteer not to include its default arguments:

const browser = await puppeteer.launch({
  ignoreDefaultArgs: true,
  args: ['--example-flag']
});

That changes the launch contract substantially; do not assume a minimal argument list will work for your use case. Confirm the required settings against your installed version, selected browser, and deployment environment before adopting it. LaunchOptions

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Which launch settings should I compare?

When two argument arrays differ, first compare the context that generated each one rather than treating one as universally correct:

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  • Package and version: puppeteer or puppeteer-core, and the installed release.
  • Browser source: the Chrome for Testing binary Puppeteer downloads by default, or an explicit executablePath or channel.
  • Headless mode: true for new headless or 'shell' for old headless.
  • Default policy: retain all defaults, filter selected ones, or suppress them with ignoreDefaultArgs.
  • Extra arguments: flags passed through args.

These are documented launch and browser-selection options; they are not evidence that a particular flag is required for every application. LaunchOptions · Configuration

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Troubleshooting defaultArgs and launch configuration

The result is not a string array

defaultArgs() is asynchronous. If you log the call without awaiting it, you will see a promise rather than its resolved array. Use await puppeteer.defaultArgs(options) inside an async function or handle the returned promise with .then(). defaultArgs()

The output differs from an online list

Check the installed Puppeteer version and pass the same relevant launch options. The API reference documents a configuration-dependent result, not a timeless literal array. A copied list from another release or environment may not match yours.

Chrome fails to launch after changing arguments

Restore Puppeteer’s defaults first, then test one change at a time. Confirm that args is being used to add flags and that ignoreDefaultArgs only filters flags you intentionally want to remove. If you use puppeteer-core, provide executablePath or channel. Puppeteer’s launch options document a default launch timeout of 30 seconds; adjust it only if your environment needs more time, rather than treating a timeout as proof that a specific flag is wrong. LaunchOptions · PuppeteerNode.launch()

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An explicit Chrome binary behaves differently

Puppeteer states that it works best with the Chrome for Testing version it downloads by default and does not guarantee operation with other Chrome versions. If using another binary, verify compatibility in your own environment and avoid assuming the bundled-browser arguments are a drop-in recipe. Installation and browser compatibility

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does defaultArgs() launch Chrome?

No. It resolves to the arguments for a supplied configuration; launching the browser is a separate call to launch().

Can I use defaultArgs() with puppeteer-core?

The API is documented for Puppeteer’s Node interface. When launching with puppeteer-core, identify the browser with executablePath or channel.

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