How to implement TrifleJs for headless IE11 automation in C#

[FlyingEagle]

I have been working on automated UI tests that run through Azure DevOps pipelines. My current setup works perfectly with Chrome and Firefox browsers when running in headless mode.

The challenge I’m facing is with Internet Explorer 11. I need to run my tests headlessly on IE11 but can’t find a straightforward solution. After doing some research, I discovered TrifleJs might be the answer for headless IE automation.

I’m using Visual Studio 2019 for development and need to integrate TrifleJs into my existing C# test framework. Has anyone successfully implemented this setup before? I would really appreciate some sample C# code or step-by-step guidance.

My environment:

• Browser: Internet Explorer 11
• Server: Windows Server 2019 Datacenter
• IDE: Visual Studio 2019

[bellagarcia]

truffleJS is basically dead - hasn’t been updated in forever. if you absolutely need ie11 headless, try puppeteer-core with edge’s ie mode or just use selenium webdriver with the --headless flag on a virtual desktop. way less hassle than getting truffleJS to work in 2024.

[Tom_Artist]

Hit the same issue two years back with legacy apps that needed IE11 testing. TrifleJs looked promising but I went a different way that worked way better for my C# setup. TrifleJs hasn’t been updated in forever and kept breaking on newer Windows Server versions. I used Selenium WebDriver with IE in a virtual display buffer instead - Windows Server has this built-in. You can strip out most of the UI and use screen virtualization to fake headless mode. Plugged right into my existing C# tests and Azure DevOps pipelines without needing extra JavaScript engines. Performance was solid and way easier to maintain since I stayed in the standard Selenium world instead of dealing with another dependency.

[mythicMuse]

The Problem:

You’re struggling to run automated UI tests using Internet Explorer 11 (IE11) headlessly within Azure DevOps pipelines. Your current setup works with Chrome and Firefox in headless mode, but you need a solution for IE11, and you’ve explored TrifleJs as a potential option. You’re developing in Visual Studio 2019 and need to integrate this solution into your existing C# test framework. The challenge is finding a reliable and maintainable approach for headless IE11 automation in this context.

Understanding the “Why” (The Root Cause):

Running UI tests headlessly on IE11 is notoriously difficult. TrifleJs, while once a promising solution, is outdated and no longer actively maintained. Relying on outdated tools introduces instability and significant maintenance overhead. Attempting to force headless operation with unsupported tools often leads to unpredictable errors and compatibility problems across different Windows Server versions. Modern browser automation tools are designed for cleaner, more reliable, and easier-to-maintain solutions.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Migrate to a Modern Browser Automation Solution: Instead of wrestling with outdated tools like TrifleJs, switch to a robust and actively maintained solution such as Selenium WebDriver. Selenium offers broad browser support and integrates seamlessly with C# and Azure DevOps pipelines. This approach avoids the complexities and limitations of trying to force legacy tools to do something they weren’t designed for.

2. Configure Selenium with Virtual Display for Headless IE11 Simulation: Windows Server has built-in capabilities for virtual display buffers. Instead of true headless mode (which might be impossible with IE11), utilize a virtual display to run IE11, effectively hiding the UI while still allowing Selenium to interact with the browser. This provides a far more stable and maintainable solution compared to workarounds with TrifleJs. You can find numerous examples and tutorials online detailing how to set up Selenium WebDriver with virtual displays for IE11 testing on Windows Server. This approach leverages existing, well-supported technologies.

3. Integrate Selenium into Your Existing C# Test Framework: Integrate your Selenium WebDriver tests into your existing Azure DevOps pipelines. The existing infrastructure and setup make this a straightforward integration.

Common Pitfalls & What to Check Next:

• Selenium WebDriver Setup: Ensure you have correctly installed and configured the Selenium WebDriver for Internet Explorer 11. This includes correctly setting up the necessary drivers and paths.

• Virtual Display Configuration: Properly configure your virtual display. Insufficient resources allocated to the virtual display might lead to performance issues or test failures.

• IE11 Compatibility: Be aware of potential IE11 compatibility issues with your application under test. Modern web technologies might not render correctly in this legacy browser.

• Error Handling: Implement robust error handling within your Selenium tests to gracefully manage potential exceptions or unexpected behavior during test execution.

Still running into issues? Share your (sanitized) config files, the exact command you ran, and any other relevant details. The community is here to help!