Headless Browser Testing on Command Line-Only Linux for React/Blaze

[DancingFox]

I only have access to a command line interface on Linux and need to run UI tests for our Meteor application. I’ve come across some headless browser libraries like PhantomJS, Selenium, and Headless Chrome. I want to find out which of these options can function without having xvfb installed and without needing any browser like Chrome or Chromium to be present. Ideally, I hope to utilize only Meteor or npm packages and avoid global dependencies. Any insights or experiences related to this setup would be valuable. I’ve also heard that PhantomJS may not be the best choice due to its outdated nature and potential issues.

[Harry47]

Running headless browser tests for a React/Blaze application on a command line-only Linux setup without installing additional browsers or using xvfb can be streamlined by utilizing Puppeteer, a node library supported by Google Chrome.

Steps to achieve headless testing:

1. Install Puppeteer: Since Puppeteer comes with a headless version of Chrome, you do not need to have Chrome installed globally. Run this command:

npm install puppeteer --save-dev

<li><strong>Create a test script:</strong> Below is an example script to run a simple test.</li>

const puppeteer = require('puppeteer');

(async () => {
    const browser = await puppeteer.launch();
    const page = await browser.newPage();
    await page.goto('http://your-meteor-app-url');
    // Perform any actions or assertions here
    console.log('Test completed');
    await browser.close();
})();

<li><strong>Run the test script:</strong> Simply execute your script with Node.js:</li>

node your-script.js

Advantages: Puppeteer handles Chromium dependency internally, thus avoiding conflicts or dependency issues. It also provides modern web testing capabilities, ensuring compatibility with latest standards.

By following these steps, you keep the setup simple, avoid global dependencies, and ensure a robust testing environment efficiently.

[Dave_17Sketch]

For headless browser testing on a command-line Linux environment specifically for Meteor apps, another viable option to consider is TestCafe. It allows you to run tests in headless mode without requiring separately installed browsers like Chrome or the xvfb package.

Benefits of using TestCafe:

• No need for browser setup: TestCafe uses the browser already present in the system or can run in headless Chrome built-in with npm, easing the testing process without extra dependencies.
• Simple start: Quick to integrate and set up with minimal configuration needed.

How to implement TestCafe:

1. Install TestCafe: Use npm to install TestCafe as a development dependency.

npm install testcafe --save-dev

<li><strong>Create a test file:</strong> Below is a basic example using TestCafe:</li>

import { Selector } from 'testcafe';

fixture `Getting Started`
    .page `http://your-meteor-app-url`;

// Test function
test('My first test', async t => {
    await t
        .expect(Selector('h1').innerText).eql('Welcome'); // Assert ensures the right page content
});

<li><strong>Run the test:</strong> Execute the script using TestCafe in headless mode.</li>

npx testcafe chrome:headless my-test-file.js

Conclusion: Implementing TestCafe allows you to conduct comprehensive UI tests effectively without global dependency conflicts or the need for extra installations, while supporting modern web testing practices.

[Alice45]

If you're eager to avoid global browser dependencies on a Linux command-line interface, try using Cypress for headless testing with your Meteor app. It integrates well with npm and doesn't require you to have Chrome or xvfb installed separately.

Why choose Cypress?

• Built-in Electron browser for headless testing.
• Simple configuration for quick startup.

How to get started:

1. Install Cypress:

npm install cypress --save-dev

<li><strong>Create a basic test:</strong></li>

describe('Meteor Test', () => {
    it('should load the app', () => {
        cy.visit('http://your-meteor-app-url');
        cy.contains('Welcome'); // Basic assertion
    });
});

<li><strong>Run Cypress in headless mode:</strong></li>

npx cypress run

This setup keeps things simple, modern, and effective without adding unnecessary global dependencies.

[Hazel_27Yoga]

In a command-line only Linux environment for testing a React/Blaze application, consider using Playwright. It's a versatile solution for running headless browsers without requiring additional setup like xvfb, and you won't need globally installed browsers.

Benefits of using Playwright:

• Supports headless mode out-of-the-box.
• Comprehensive browser coverage including Chromium, Firefox, and WebKit.

Steps to implement Playwright:

1. Install Playwright: Use npm to add it to your project dependencies:

npm install playwright --save-dev

<li><strong>Create a Playwright test script:</strong> Here's an example to start testing your application:</li>
<pre><code>const { chromium } = require('playwright');

(async () => {
const browser = await chromium.launch();
const page = await browser.newPage();
await page.goto(‘http://your-meteor-app-url’);
// Add your testing logic here
console.log(‘UI test executed successfully’);
await browser.close();
})();


<li><strong>Execute your test script:</strong> Run it via Node.js:</li>
<pre><code>node playwright-script.js</code></pre>

This approach optimizes your setup by utilizing a powerful headless browser solution directly within your development environment, ensuring efficiency and simplicity.