How to make the phantomjs browser visible?

Question

I know that it is sound strange. The point is that I want a NodeJS app to control the browser. On the same time, I want to see the browser and be able to interact with it it, and see what it is doing in real-time.

If it is not possible in PhantomJS, there is any other way to control a dedicated browser from NodeJS. (dedicated browser I mean that I don't want to use my own personal Chrome)

Usage Case: For example, I want to test an app that requires "login". I don't want to test the login process. So I need to "login" manually, (let the browser to save the cookies), and then I will be able to run the tests using the same cookies of the logged in user.

In other words: Is it possible to interact with as browser that controlled by NodeJS? I need the option to show the browser and hide it (so it will work from desktop and headless servers)

After seen the answers, I don't like the title of my question. it is generally about any NodeJS headless browser module not specific about PhantomJS. Do you have any other suggestion? — Aminadav Glickshtein, Jan 27 '17 at 07:30

Vaviloff · Answer 1 · 2017-01-27T07:25:55.163

4

PhantomJS is a headless browser which means there is nothing to show.

Fortunately there are other options that may fit your workflow

NightmareJS is using Electron which is based on Google Chrome browser. You may make the browser visible:

var Nightmare = require('nightmare');       
var nightmare = Nightmare({ show: true });

SlimerJS is always visible, it's syntax-compatible with PhantomJS.

edited Jan 27 '17 at 07:25

answered Jan 27 '17 at 07:20

Vaviloff

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Is it possible to change this property in runtime? – Aminadav Glickshtein Jan 27 '17 at 07:25
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Haven't tried doing that, don't think it is. Why would you want to? – Vaviloff Jan 27 '17 at 07:26
Yes. it is possible: https://github.com/segmentio/nightmare/issues/907 It is use Electron behind the scene, – Aminadav Glickshtein Jan 27 '17 at 07:27
2

Nice find. But please note that even if you hide it, NightmareJS is still not truly headless and you'll need xvfb or xvfb-run to run it on a server. – Vaviloff Jan 27 '17 at 07:29
By the way, Silmer cannot help me. I need to interact with pages, that I cannot add scripts to it while testing. – Aminadav Glickshtein Jan 27 '17 at 07:34
Ahhh. It's not truly headless. So still searching for a solution – Aminadav Glickshtein Jan 27 '17 at 07:34
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"that I cannot add scripts to it while testing" can't catch your meaning – Vaviloff Jan 27 '17 at 07:35
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"not truly headless. So still searching" but you won't be able to interact with truly headless browser. It's one or another. – Vaviloff Jan 27 '17 at 07:35

How to make the phantomjs browser visible?

1 Answers1