robotframework-browser-tray

Tray icon and REPL for trying out Browser Library keywords using Chromium or Edge

Requirements

• NodeJS >= 18
• Windows

Use Cases

• Execute tests incrementally using e.g. RobotCode

• Test selectors in an open web page interactively

How to use it

1. Install the package

pip install robotframework-browser-tray

2. Execute browser-tray

Hint: In case your environment does not allow executing browser-tray, call the Python module directly:

python -m BrowserTray

3. Click on the tray icon with the Chromium logo

4. Open a Terminal and execute ibrowser

Hint: In case your environment does not allow executing ibrowser, call the Python module directly:

python -m BrowserTray.Repl

ibrowser

ibrowser allows testing selectors in an open web page interactively.

To start it execute:

ibrowser

On start up it connects to a running Chromium (started using the tray icon) or Microsoft Edge (see below for instructions).

If you start a new browser while ibrowser is running, call the keyword "Connect" to connect ibrowser to it.

To exit ibrowser press Ctrl-D.

Usage in a Robot Framework Test Suite

Add these lines to the Settings section of the .robot file:

Library       Browser               playwright_process_port=4711
Test Setup    Connect To Browser    http://localhost:1234            chromium    use_cdp=True

In order to use other ports execute:

browser-tray --pw-port=XXXX --cdp-port=XXXX

Using Microsoft Edge

If Microsoft Edge is installed on your machine:

1. Create a Shortcut to msedge.exe with the target:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe" --remote-debugging-port=1234 --user-data-dir=C:\Users\YOUR_USER\RFEdgeProfile

2. Start Edge using this shortcut

3. Execute ibrowser

How it works

On start up browser-tray checks whether rfbrowser init has been executed.

If this requirement is met the Playwright wrapper is started with node site-packages/Browser/wrapper/index.js 4711.

Selecting "Open Chromium" in the tray icon executes site-packages/Browser/wrapper/node_modules/playwright-core/.local-browsers/chromium-XX/chrome-win/chrome.exe --remote-debugging-port=1234 --test-type.

ibrowser is a batteries-included irobot that saves time by importing Browser Library and connecting to a running Chromium or Edge.