Creating A New Playwright Project Modernizing From Selenium

July 15, 2025 by StackCamp Team 60 views

Create a New Playwright Project Modernizing Selenium to Playwright

Modernizing your test automation framework is crucial for staying efficient and effective in today's fast-paced software development environment. Migrating from Selenium to Playwright can significantly improve your testing capabilities, offering better speed, reliability, and a more modern API. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to create a new Playwright project, modernize your existing Selenium-based automation, and set up a robust testing infrastructure. We will walk through the necessary steps, from initializing a new GitHub repository to configuring your project with Playwright and ensuring your documentation reflects these changes.

1. Setting Up a New GitHub Repository

The first step in modernizing your automation framework is to set up a new GitHub repository. This ensures that you have a clean, version-controlled environment for your Playwright project. Creating a new repository allows you to isolate the new codebase from the old Selenium-based project, making the transition smoother and less prone to errors. To begin, follow these steps:

Go to GitHub and log in to your account.
Click on the "+" icon in the top-right corner and select "New repository."
Enter a name for your repository (e.g., adl-e2e-playwright).
Provide a description for the repository to help others understand its purpose.
Choose whether to make the repository public or private, depending on your needs.
It’s generally recommended not to initialize the repository with any files (like a README, .gitignore, or license) at this stage. This allows you to start with a clean slate and add files as needed.
Click "Create repository" to create the new repository.

By creating a new repository, you set the foundation for a well-organized and maintainable Playwright project. This clean slate approach allows for a focused transition from Selenium, ensuring that you only include the necessary components for your modernized framework. Proper repository setup is crucial for effective collaboration and version control, making it easier to manage changes and track progress.

2. Preparing Your Local Project

Once you have set up your GitHub repository, the next crucial step is to prepare your local project for the transition to Playwright. This involves updating your codebase, dependencies, and documentation to reflect the new testing framework. Thorough preparation ensures a smooth migration and a robust final project. The following steps outline how to prepare your local project effectively:

Replace Selenium Code with Playwright: The core of this modernization effort is replacing your existing Selenium code with Playwright equivalents. Playwright offers a more modern and efficient API, which can significantly improve the speed and reliability of your tests. Review each test case and rewrite it using Playwright's syntax and methods. This includes actions like navigating to pages, interacting with elements, and asserting expected outcomes. Ensure that you leverage Playwright's features such as auto-waiting and built-in retries to create more resilient tests.
Update Documentation: Documentation is a critical part of any project, especially during a modernization effort. Update your project documentation (e.g., ProjectOverview.md) to reflect the usage of Playwright. This includes updating examples, API references, and any other relevant information. Clear and up-to-date documentation helps team members understand the new framework and how to use it effectively. Accurate documentation ensures that everyone is on the same page and reduces the learning curve for new contributors.
Remove Selenium Dependencies: To avoid conflicts and ensure a clean project, remove all Selenium-related libraries and dependencies from your project. This includes removing JAR files, WebDriver binaries (like chromedriver.exe), and any Selenium-specific configurations. Eliminating unnecessary dependencies helps to streamline your project and reduce the risk of compatibility issues.
Update pom.xml to Include Playwright: If you are using Maven, update your pom.xml file to include Playwright dependencies. Add the necessary Playwright dependencies and remove any Selenium-related dependencies. This ensures that your project can access Playwright libraries and tools. Properly configuring your pom.xml is essential for managing dependencies and ensuring that your project builds correctly.
Clean Up Unnecessary Files: Over time, projects can accumulate unnecessary files, such as old test scripts, outdated documentation, or temporary files. Take the time to clean up your project by removing these files. This helps to reduce clutter and makes it easier to navigate the project. A clean project is easier to maintain and collaborate on.

By meticulously preparing your local project, you lay the groundwork for a successful transition to Playwright. This includes updating your code, documentation, and dependencies, as well as removing any unnecessary files. This thorough approach ensures that your new Playwright project is robust, maintainable, and ready for future growth.

3. Initializing Git and Pushing to GitHub

After preparing your local project by migrating from Selenium to Playwright, the next critical step is to initialize Git and push your changes to the newly created GitHub repository. This ensures that your code is version-controlled and securely stored, and it facilitates collaboration with other developers. Git is a powerful version control system, and GitHub provides a remote repository to host your code. Here’s how to initialize Git and push your project to GitHub:

Open PowerShell in Your Project Root: Navigate to the root directory of your project in your file explorer. Right-click within the folder and select "Open PowerShell here" to open a PowerShell window in the project directory. This ensures that all Git commands are executed within the context of your project.
Initialize Git: In the PowerShell window, run the following command to initialize a new Git repository in your project:
```
git init
```
This command creates a new .git subdirectory in your project root, which contains all the necessary repository metadata. Initializing Git is the first step in tracking changes to your project.
Add Your Files: To stage your files for the initial commit, use the following command:
```
git add .
```
This command adds all files in your project directory to the staging area. You can also add specific files by specifying their names instead of using .
Commit Your Changes: Commit the staged files with a descriptive message using the following command:
```
git commit -m "Initial commit: Migrated from Selenium to Playwright"
```
The commit message should clearly describe the changes you've made. Commit messages are essential for understanding the history of your project.
Link to the Remote Repository: Connect your local repository to the remote GitHub repository using the following command. Replace <your-username> and <new-repo-name> with your actual GitHub username and repository name:
```
git remote add origin https://github.com/<your-username>/<new-repo-name>.git
```
This command sets the remote origin for your local repository, allowing you to push changes to GitHub. Linking to the remote repository is crucial for collaboration and backup.
Push to GitHub: Push your local commits to the remote repository using the following command:
```
git push -u origin main
```
This command pushes your commits to the main branch of the remote repository. The -u flag sets the upstream branch, so you can use git push and git pull without specifying the branch in the future.

By following these steps, you ensure that your project is properly version-controlled and securely stored on GitHub. Version control is essential for managing changes, collaborating with others, and maintaining a robust codebase. Pushing your project to GitHub makes it accessible to your team and provides a backup in case of local issues.

4. Verifying the Repository

After pushing your project to GitHub, it's crucial to verify the repository to ensure that all files, including the updated documentation and Playwright configurations, are present and correctly structured. This verification step confirms that the migration and setup process was successful, and it helps to identify any potential issues early on. Verifying the repository involves several checks, as outlined below:

Access Your GitHub Repository: Open your web browser and navigate to your GitHub repository using the URL you set up in the previous steps (e.g., https://github.com/<your-username>/<new-repo-name>).
Confirm File Presence: Browse through the repository's file structure and confirm that all the files from your local project are present. This includes your test scripts, configuration files, and any supporting documents. Ensuring all files are present is the first step in verifying the integrity of the repository.
Check Updated Documentation: Open the updated documentation files, such as ProjectOverview.md, and verify that they reflect the changes you made to incorporate Playwright. Confirm that the documentation includes accurate information about Playwright usage, examples, and any relevant API references. Correct documentation is essential for team collaboration and project maintainability.
Verify Playwright References in pom.xml: If you are using Maven, open the pom.xml file and check that Playwright is correctly referenced as a dependency. Ensure that all necessary Playwright dependencies are listed and that any Selenium-related dependencies have been removed. Properly configured dependencies are crucial for the project to build and run correctly.
Review Project Structure: Take a moment to review the overall project structure to ensure that it is organized and logical. Check that files are located in the appropriate directories and that the project follows a consistent naming convention. A well-organized project is easier to navigate and maintain.

By meticulously verifying your GitHub repository, you ensure that the migration from Selenium to Playwright was successful and that your project is ready for further development and testing. This step helps to catch any errors or omissions early on, preventing potential issues down the line. Thorough verification is a best practice that contributes to the overall quality and reliability of your project.

5. Optional Enhancements: Enabling Copilot and Adding Workflows

Once you have successfully created your new Playwright project and verified its contents on GitHub, you can further enhance your development workflow by enabling GitHub Copilot and adding CI/CD workflows. These optional steps can significantly improve your productivity and the overall quality of your project. GitHub Copilot provides AI-powered code suggestions, while CI/CD workflows automate the testing and deployment processes.

Enabling GitHub Copilot

GitHub Copilot is an AI-powered coding assistant that provides real-time code suggestions and autocompletions directly in your code editor. It can help you write code faster and more efficiently by suggesting code snippets, entire functions, and even documentation based on the context of your project. Here’s how to enable GitHub Copilot:

Install the GitHub Copilot Extension: If you haven't already, install the GitHub Copilot extension in your code editor (e.g., Visual Studio Code). The extension is available in the editor's marketplace or extension view.
Authenticate with Your GitHub Account: After installing the extension, you will need to authenticate with your GitHub account. Follow the prompts to log in and authorize GitHub Copilot.
Start Coding: Once authenticated, GitHub Copilot will start providing suggestions as you type. You can accept suggestions by pressing Tab or ignore them by continuing to type. Using Copilot effectively can significantly speed up your development process.

Adding Playwright GitHub Actions Workflow

GitHub Actions allows you to automate tasks within your GitHub repository, such as building, testing, and deploying your code. Adding a Playwright GitHub Actions workflow can automatically run your Playwright tests whenever you push changes to your repository, ensuring that your code is always tested and working correctly. Here’s how to add a Playwright GitHub Actions workflow:

Create a Workflow File: In your repository, create a new directory named .github and a subdirectory within it named workflows. Inside the workflows directory, create a new YAML file (e.g., playwright.yml) to define your workflow.

Define the Workflow: Add the following YAML configuration to your playwright.yml file:

name: Playwright Tests

on:
  push:
    branches: [ main ]
  pull_request:
    branches: [ main ]

jobs:
  test:
    timeout-minutes: 60
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
    - uses: actions/checkout@v3
    - uses: actions/setup-node@v3
      with:
        node-version: 18
    - name: Install dependencies
      run: npm install
    - name: Install Playwright Browsers
      run: npx playwright install --with-deps
    - name: Run Playwright tests
      run: npx playwright test
    - uses: actions/upload-artifact@v3
      if: always()
      with:
        name: playwright-report
        path: playwright-report/
        retention-days: 30

This workflow is triggered on push and pull requests to the main branch. It sets up Node.js, installs dependencies, installs Playwright browsers, runs the Playwright tests, and uploads the test report as an artifact. Automated testing ensures that your code remains stable and reliable.

Commit and Push the Workflow File: Commit the playwright.yml file to your repository and push the changes to GitHub.
Monitor the Workflow: GitHub Actions will automatically run the workflow whenever you push changes or create a pull request. You can monitor the workflow's progress and view the test results in the