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CLI Cheatsheet

When to Use

Use this as a quick reference for running tests, updating baselines, and managing reports.

Pattern

Run tests

npx playwright test                                       # all tests, all projects
npx playwright test --project=chromium-1440              # single project
npx playwright test --grep "homepage"                    # filter by title
npx playwright test e2e/homepage.spec.ts                 # filter by file
npx playwright test e2e/homepage.spec.ts:42              # by line number
npx playwright test --headed                             # visible browser
npx playwright test --ui                                 # interactive UI mode
npx playwright test --workers=1                          # serialize

Update baselines

npx playwright test --update-snapshots                   # = changed (mismatches + missing)
npx playwright test -u                                   # short form
npx playwright test --update-snapshots --grep "button"   # scoped update
npx playwright test --update-snapshots=all               # all executed tests
npx playwright test --update-snapshots=missing           # only create missing
npx playwright test --update-snapshots=none              # never update

Reporter overrides

npx playwright test --reporter=html
npx playwright test --reporter=list,html
npx playwright test --reporter=json --output=results.json

HTML report viewer

npx playwright show-report
npx playwright show-report ./playwright-report
npx playwright show-report --port 8080
npx playwright show-report --host 0.0.0.0               # LAN sharing

Browser install

npx playwright install
npx playwright install chromium webkit
npx playwright install --with-deps

Codegen (bootstrap a test scaffold)

npx playwright codegen https://playwright.dev
npx playwright codegen --browser=firefox

Let the recorder generate navigation; add expect(page).toHaveScreenshot() manually.

Debug

npx playwright test --debug                              # PWDEBUG=1, headed, single worker
npx playwright test -x                                   # stop on first failure
npx playwright test --list                               # list tests without running

Common Mistakes

  • Wrong: -u without --grep → Right: accidentally updates the entire suite; always scope with --grep
  • Wrong: --debug without realizing it implies --workers=1 → Right: slower; use only when actually debugging
  • Wrong: show-report without specifying path → Right: may open an old report; pass an explicit path

See Also