Question 1

How do I set up Chrome Remote Interface for headless Chrome testing?

Accepted Answer

Start Chrome with the --remote-debugging-port and --headless flags, then connect using the library in Node.js. For example, run `google-chrome --headless --remote-debugging-port=9222` and use CDP() to establish a connection and control pages programmatically.

Question 2

Chrome Remote Interface vs Puppeteer: which should I use for automation?

Accepted Answer

Use Puppeteer for high-level, easy-to-use automation with built-in Chromium management and common abstractions. Choose Chrome Remote Interface if you need direct, low-level access to the Chrome Debugging Protocol for custom tools or protocol experimentation, as it offers more control but requires more code.

Question 3

Can Chrome Remote Interface work with mobile browsers or WebViews?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but with limitations. For Android Chrome or WebViews, you need ADB port forwarding and must use a local protocol descriptor because the mobile protocol isn't self-describing, as detailed in the setup section for Android and WebView debugging.

Question 4

How to handle errors like 'Promise was collected' in Chrome Remote Interface?

Accepted Answer

This error occurs when a page is reloaded or navigated while a promise is pending. Ensure no pending promises before closing or reloading pages by properly sequencing commands, as explained in the FAQ with an example using Runtime.evaluate and Page.reload.

Question 5

What's the best way to extract data from a webpage using Chrome Remote Interface?

Accepted Answer

Use the Runtime domain to evaluate JavaScript expressions and extract data, combined with Page domain for navigation. For instance, enable Runtime and Page, navigate to a URL, wait for load events, then call Runtime.evaluate to scrape content, similar to the sample API usage.

Question 6

Is Chrome Remote Interface suitable for continuous integration (CI) pipelines?

Accepted Answer

It can be used in CI, but requires careful setup to ensure Chrome is running with remote debugging and proper resource allocation (e.g., adjusting /dev/shm in Docker). The bundled client can help with target management, but it adds complexity compared to integrated solutions like Puppeteer.

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