Debugging failing tests can be time-consuming and frustrating—especially when error messages are long or snapshot diffs are difficult to interpret. With the latest AI-powered tools in Playwright, resolving test failures has become significantly faster and more intuitive.
Consider a basic Playwright test that uses snapshot testing to verify that the content inside getByRole('main') matches a previously stored snapshot. The snapshot might contain two distinct headings, for example.
If the heading level in the application is changed—from <h1> to <h2>—the test fails, as expected, due to a mismatch with the stored snapshot. Traditionally, resolving this would involve reading the stack trace, analyzing the diff, and manually updating the test or snapshot.
One-Click AI Fixes
Playwright’s AI integration streamlines this process. When a test fails, developers can click an AI Fix button in the error message that automatically analyzes the context—such as the snapshot diff, the test code, and the full error message—and suggests a fix.
This suggestion can be reviewed and accepted directly in the development environment. Once applied, the test can be re-run, and in many cases, it passes without the need for manual debugging.
The AI Fix button is also available in the Test Explorer inside Visual Studio Code, offering a seamless way to resolve issues as they’re encountered during development.
Debugging in UI Mode
Playwright’s UI mode also supports AI-assisted debugging. Running npx playwright test --ui launches an interactive interface where tests can be run visually.
When a test fails, a Copy Prompt button appears alongside the error.
This prompt includes all the relevant context: the full page snapshot, the error message, and the corresponding test code. Developers can paste this prompt into Copilot or any preferred AI tool to receive targeted fix suggestions.
Once the AI suggests a fix, developers can click Apply in Editor, inspect the proposed changes, and confirm them within their editor. After re-running the test, it's often back to passing status.
Support Across Reports and CI
AI prompt generation isn’t limited to development tools. The Copy Prompt feature is also available in Playwright’s HTML reports. After a test run, developers can open the report, copy the AI prompt, and use it with their preferred AI assistant to debug the issue.
Even when debugging tests in CI environments, the Trace Viewer offers access to the same AI prompt feature. This ensures that developers can resolve issues intelligently and efficiently, even when working with remote test results.
Faster, Smarter Debugging with AI
AI-assisted debugging in Playwright enhances the developer experience by reducing the manual effort required to resolve test failures. Whether working locally, in UI mode, or reviewing CI failures, these AI-powered features help teams ship faster with greater confidence.
Have fun debugging your Playwright tests with AI! 🚀
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