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What Playwright does
Playwright automates web applications in a browser. Its Python library provides both synchronous and asynchronous APIs, so you can write scripts that open pages, interact with them, and inspect results. It supports the Chromium, Firefox, and WebKit browser engines. See the official Playwright for Python library guide.
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For general browser automation, the playwright package is the starting point. If your goal is end-to-end testing with pytest, Playwright documents an additional pytest integration called pytest-playwright.
What you need before installing
- Python 3.8 or higher, according to Playwright’s current Python installation documentation.
- Visual Studio Code and a project folder to work in.
- A supported operating system. The current compatibility list includes Windows 11 or Windows Server 2019 and later, macOS 14 and later, Debian 12/13, and Ubuntu 22.04/24.04/26.04, with x86-64 or arm64 noted. Check the official installation page for current requirements, because supported versions can change.
In VS Code, open your project folder and select the Python interpreter or environment you intend to use. The package must be installed into that same environment for the editor, terminal, and debugger to find it.
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Install Playwright for Python
- Open the project terminal: In VS Code, use Terminal > New Terminal and confirm that the selected terminal is using your project’s intended Python environment.
- Update pip if needed: Run
python -m pip install --upgrade pip. On systems where the Python command is namedpython3, use that command instead. - Install the Python library: Run
pip install playwright. This installs the Python package, but not the browser binaries. - Download the browsers: Run
playwright installin the same environment. This separate step downloads the browser versions associated with the installed Playwright package. Refer to the browser installation guide if a download fails or you need platform-specific details.
Browser downloads can use substantial disk space, and the exact amount depends on the environment. When you upgrade Playwright, its corresponding browser binaries may also need updating; rerun playwright install if required.
Create and run a small Python script
Create a file such as example.py in the project and add this synchronous example from the official library guide:
from playwright.sync_api import sync_playwright
with sync_playwright() as p:
browser = p.chromium.launch()
page = browser.new_page()
page.goto("https://playwright.dev/")
print(page.title())
browser.close()Run the script from the VS Code terminal with python example.py (or python3 example.py, depending on your installation). It launches Chromium, opens the URL, prints the page title, and closes the browser. This example uses the synchronous API; Playwright also offers an asynchronous API. The library guide documents both.
You can use VS Code’s Python debugger to step through Python code. Make sure VS Code is using the same interpreter where you installed Playwright.
Use pytest for end-to-end tests
The basic playwright package is for browser automation. For Playwright’s documented pytest testing workflow, install the test integration as well:
pip install pytest-playwright
playwright installPut tests in Python files whose names follow pytest’s test_ convention, then run them with pytest from the same environment. The official guide to running and debugging tests explains the test workflow and VS Code debugging.
Python package or Playwright VS Code extension?
These are separate setup paths. Installing the extension does not install the Python package or its browser binaries.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →| Path | What it is for | Setup |
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| Playwright for Python | Python scripts and Python-based automation or tests | Install playwright with pip, then run playwright install. |
| Playwright VS Code extension | The extension’s Playwright Test workflow | Install it from VS Code’s Extensions view, then invoke Test: Install Playwright from the Command Palette. Its documented prerequisites include Node.js and VS Code. |
The extension documentation describes a Node.js-oriented Playwright Test workflow, while Python projects use Python packages and commands. Read the separate Playwright VS Code extension guide if you specifically want that extension; do not substitute its command for the Python installation steps above.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose a browser engine
The Python library supports Chromium, Firefox, and WebKit. You can begin with one engine in a script—for example, p.chromium.launch()—and add other engines when your automation needs broader browser coverage. The browser guide explains how Playwright manages the binaries for these engines.
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Troubleshoot common setup problems
- Python cannot import Playwright: Check the interpreter selected in VS Code and install the package into that environment. In the terminal, use
python -m pip install playwrightto tie pip to the Python command you plan to run. - The package is installed but launch fails because a browser is missing: Run
playwright install. Installing the package and downloading browsers are distinct steps. - A browser stops working after upgrading Playwright: Run
playwright installagain so the browser binaries match the installed Playwright version. - You are following extension instructions for a Python project: The extension’s Test: Install Playwright command belongs to its separate workflow. For Python, install the packages in the Python environment and run the Python browser-install command.
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