To write Selenium-style browser tests with WebdriverIO, create a WebdriverIO project, choose a browser and test framework in its setup wizard, then run an asynchronous test with the WebdriverIO runner. WebdriverIO supplies the runner and JavaScript bindings; Selenium WebDriver is the browser-automation interface and driver ecosystem that WebdriverIO can use. For the current WebdriverIO 9.x onboarding, use Node.js 18.20.0 or newer.
WebdriverIO and Selenium WebDriver: what is the difference?
They are related, not competing names for the same thing. Selenium WebDriver is a browser-native automation interface, standardized as a W3C Recommendation, with browser-specific driver implementations. It can control a browser locally or through a Selenium server. WebdriverIO (WDIO) is a JavaScript automation framework: its test runner organizes tests, browser sessions and concurrency, while its protocol bindings expose commands for interacting with a browser. WDIO can connect to WebDriver services, including Selenium Grid.
In practice, a beginner can let WDIO handle project configuration, test execution and browser sessions while writing tests in JavaScript. Lower-level protocol bindings are useful when you want to control a browser from a plain Node.js script without a test runner. Selenium also includes Selenium IDE and Selenium Grid; Grid is the part intended to distribute runs across machines and platforms. See the Selenium WebDriver documentation and Selenium overview.
Prerequisites and how to install WebdriverIO
- Install Node.js 18.20.0 or later for the current WDIO getting-started path. WebdriverIO says it officially supports Node releases that are or will become LTS.
- Use a terminal in the project directory. The examples below use npm and Chrome; the wizard can configure other supported choices.
- Expect asynchronous commands: WDIO browser and element operations must be awaited.
Start the configuration wizard in an empty project directory:
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npm init wdio@latest .The wizard asks about the test setup, including framework and browser choices, and writes the configuration and test scaffolding for the selections you make. Do not assume its defaults fit an existing project. The documented --yes option accepts defaults, which use Mocha with Chrome and the Page Object pattern. Equivalent package-manager commands are available for Yarn, pnpm and Bun in the WebdriverIO getting-started guide.
Write a first Selenium-style test with WebdriverIO
For a compact example, use a WDIO project configured for Mocha and Chrome. Replace the generated example spec or add a file under the configured specs directory, such as test/specs/form.e2e.js. This test opens Selenium’s sample web form, submits text, checks the resulting message and closes the browser session through WDIO’s runner lifecycle:
describe('sample web form', () => {
it('submits a message', async () => {
await browser.url('https://www.selenium.dev/selenium/web/web-form.html');
const textBox = await $('#my-text-id');
await textBox.setValue('WebdriverIO');
await $('button').click();
await expect($('#message')).toHaveText('Received!');
});
});The test assumes the selector IDs and message match the sample page. The commands are asynchronous, so navigation, element lookup, typing and clicking all use await. In a normal WDIO runner session, the runner creates and tears down the configured browser session around the tests. If you create a browser session yourself in a standalone script, make sure you delete it even when an operation fails; WDIO’s current guide demonstrates cleanup with session deletion. See its standalone example.
How do I run a WebdriverIO test?
Run the generated suite from the project directory:
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npx wdio run ./wdio.conf.jsTo run only one spec file, add --spec and its path:
npx wdio run ./wdio.conf.js --spec ./test/specs/form.e2e.jsUse the configuration filename and spec path your wizard generated if they differ. The runner reads the configuration, starts the browser session and invokes the selected test framework. A passing run means the browser performed the interaction and the assertion succeeded; a startup error usually points to configuration, runtime or browser setup rather than the assertion itself.
Capabilities, browsers and driver setup
WDIO configuration uses WebDriver capabilities to describe the browser session. A basic capability names the browser, for example browserName: 'chrome'. Browser-specific settings can be nested under keys such as goog:chromeOptions; hosted providers may require vendor-specific options such as bstack:options and account credentials. Keep credentials out of committed configuration files and follow the chosen provider’s current setup instructions.
Do not begin by assuming you must manually download ChromeDriver. WebdriverIO documents automatic browser-driver setup for version 8.14 and later; its driver-binaries guide describes choosing a browser and, optionally, a browser version. Behavior depends on the WDIO version and environment, so check the guide for the version in your project before adding manual driver installation steps: WebdriverIO Driver Binaries. The general configuration reference covers capabilities and provider-specific options: WebdriverIO Configuration.
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Local execution versus Selenium Grid or hosted browsers
A local browser is the simplest way to get a first test running. It is generally enough while developing a small suite on one machine. A remote WebDriver endpoint becomes useful when you need multiple operating systems, browser versions, parallel capacity or execution on machines separate from the developer’s computer.
Selenium Grid supports distributed execution across machines and platforms. Hosted remote services are another option; WDIO configuration supports provider credentials and vendor capabilities, but the exact setup depends on the service. Treat remote execution as a scale and coverage decision, not a prerequisite for a first test. Selenium’s getting-started documentation provides background on WebDriver setup.
Troubleshooting common WebdriverIO test failures
Node.js version or runtime mismatch
If installation or startup fails under an older Node.js release, check node --version and use Node.js 18.20.0 or newer for the documented current WDIO setup. Do not substitute a minimum version from a separate Selenium JavaScript package: the runtime requirement depends on which package and setup you are using.
Missing async/await
If an element lookup or browser command appears to run out of order, or an assertion receives an unresolved value, make the test function async and await each WDIO command. The framework’s browser operations are asynchronous.
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Browser does not start or capability is rejected
Confirm the configured browserName matches the browser you intend to use, and check that any browser-specific or provider-specific options are nested under the correct capability key. For remote runs, verify the endpoint and credentials against the provider’s current WDIO instructions. For local runs, check driver setup guidance for your installed WDIO version before manually installing a driver.
Session left open after a standalone script
A custom script that creates a WebDriver session must close it. Put session deletion in a finally block so an assertion or navigation error does not leave the browser process running. With the WDIO test runner, use its normal lifecycle rather than creating an extra unmanaged session.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use WebdriverIO without its test runner?
Yes. Its protocol bindings can be used from a plain Node.js script when you want browser automation without the WDIO test-runner layer.
Is WebdriverIO a Selenium alternative?
Not exactly: WDIO is a JavaScript framework that supports WebDriver automation, while Selenium WebDriver is the browser automation interface and driver ecosystem. WDIO can connect to Selenium services such as Grid.
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