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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsSelenium IDE records browser interactions as Selenium commands, then lets you replay a selected test or suite from the extension. To begin, create a project, set its base URL, record a workflow in the browser window it opens, stop recording, and save the project as a .side file.
What Selenium IDE does—and when to use it
Selenium IDE is a browser extension for recording and replaying browser actions. Selenium lists Chrome, Firefox, and Edge as supported plugin browsers; check the live extension listings and release information for current availability. Selenium IDE overview · Selenium downloads
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It is a low-code way to capture a browser workflow and learn Selenium command syntax. A recording is a useful draft, not proof that the resulting test expresses the right assertions or will remain reliable as an application changes. For tests requiring more control or a code-based workflow, Selenium also describes WebDriver, a language-neutral interface for controlling browsers. Selenium documentation
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchInstall Selenium IDE and start a new recording
- Install and launch the extension. Use the extension store for a supported browser. The official getting-started guide includes Chrome and Firefox instructions; Selenium’s downloads page also lists Edge. Store listings and interfaces can change, so follow the current listing for your browser. Getting started
- Create a project. In the welcome dialog, choose the option to record a new test in a new project. Give the project a name and enter the application’s base URL. This is a project setting and can be changed later.
- Record the workflow. Selenium IDE opens the application in a browser window. Perform the user actions you want the test to capture; the IDE turns them into Selenium commands.
- Stop the recording. Return to the IDE and click the recording control. From the sidebar, you can add another test and either record it or enter commands manually.
- Organize and save. Projects can contain test suites. A new project creates a
Default Suiteand adds the first test to it. Use the save control to save the project as a single.sidefile.
Replay a test or suite
Select the test or suite in the IDE, then click the play control above the test editor. Playback runs in a browser window. If the window used for recording is still open, Selenium IDE reuses it; if not, it opens another window. The detailed workflow is covered in the official getting-started guide.
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After playback, review the commands and targets. If the captured sequence does not represent the behavior you meant to check, edit the steps or record the workflow again. Recording and replay provide a starting point; they do not automatically guarantee a maintainable test.
Choose between IDE playback and a code-based workflow
| Path | Useful for | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Selenium IDE | Quick browser-level capture, replay, and learning Selenium commands without starting by writing test code. | Review the generated commands and targets, and confirm that the replay checks the behavior you intend. |
| WebDriver code export | Moving a recorded test toward a code-based workflow where the current IDE supports the language and framework you need. | The export guide, dated 2019, documents C# NUnit, Java JUnit, JavaScript Mocha, and Python pytest. These are not a guarantee of current support; check the current IDE release notes and export interface. Code export guide · Release information |
| Command-line runner | Additional browser execution beyond IDE playback, depending on the current runner and browser support. | Check current runner documentation and compatibility before relying on a particular browser matrix. The cited getting-started material does not establish a current version or compatibility matrix. Getting started |
Pick the IDE when low-code capture is the goal. Consider code export or the command-line runner when you need a code-based workflow or broader execution options, but confirm that the current release supports your exact target. The official pages do not provide a quantitative performance comparison between these approaches.
Common recording and playback problems
- The IDE does not open the expected application. Check the project’s base URL and correct it if necessary; it is a project setting that can be changed.
- The workflow is missing commands. Confirm that recording was active while you performed the action, then return to the IDE and stop recording with its recording control. You can add or edit commands manually.
- Playback starts in a different window. This is expected if the original recording window is no longer open; IDE playback opens a new one in that case.
- A test or suite is not running. Select the intended test or suite in the IDE before clicking the play control above the editor.
- An exported language or framework is unavailable. The export documentation is dated 2019, and its list may no longer match the current extension. Check the current export menu and release notes rather than assuming a listed target is supported.
- You need a browser not covered by IDE playback. Consult current command-line runner documentation and browser compatibility information. Do not assume a specific matrix from the IDE getting-started page.
Or skip the browser setup
Selenium IDE is for recording and replaying browser tests. If your goal is instead to obtain a screenshot of a page, ScreenshotNeo offers a one-request screenshot API; it is not a replacement for browser-test recording. Cookie banners are accepted and removed before capture, along with known newsletter popups and chat widgets. Bot checks, blank pages, timeouts, failed loads, and cache hits are not billed, and responses identify the page verdict and billing status. An MCP server provides screenshot tools for AI agents.
For an API key and additional options, see the ScreenshotNeo API documentation.
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpScreenshotNeo’s Free plan includes 1,000 shots per month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 shots. Learn about ScreenshotNeo or sign up for 1,000 free screenshots a month with no card.
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