I need help setting up a script for regular web page actions. I’m looking for something that works from the command line, not browser add-ons. I’d prefer to use PowerShell, NodeJS, or a .NET option.
Does anyone know if it’s possible to save web actions in a .HAR file and run them later? Or are those files just for checking network stuff?
I’m new to this kind of automation, so any tips would be great. What tools do you guys use for this? Are there any tricks to make it smoother?
Thanks for any help!
hey, have u tried python with requests? it’s super easy for web stuff w/o a browser. .har files only show net traffic tho, so best to script actions directly for more control.
I’ve been using Playwright for a while now and it’s been a game-changer for me. It supports multiple languages including JavaScript, Python, and C#, so it might fit well with your preferred tech stack. What I love about it is how it handles modern web apps really well - things like shadow DOM and iframes that can be tricky with other tools.
One tip I’d share from my experience: invest time in creating a solid framework for your scripts. Include error handling, logging, and maybe even some basic reporting. It’ll save you tons of headaches down the line, especially when you’re dealing with flaky tests or intermittent issues.
Also, don’t underestimate the power of good selectors. I’ve found that data-testid attributes, when available, are gold for stable automation. If you’re working with dynamic content, learning to use smart waits effectively can make your scripts much more reliable.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any specific questions about getting started.
For command-line web automation without a visible browser, I’ve had great success using Selenium WebDriver with headless mode. It’s compatible with multiple languages including C# for .NET and Node.js.
Another powerful option is Puppeteer, which is specifically designed for headless Chrome automation using Node.js. It’s incredibly versatile and well-documented.
Regarding .HAR files, they’re primarily for network analysis, not for replaying actions. For your use case, I’d recommend writing custom scripts using one of the above tools.
To make the process smoother, consider using a robust selector strategy (CSS or XPath) for identifying elements, and implement proper waits to handle dynamic content loading. This approach has significantly improved the reliability of my automation scripts.