39 KiB
Testing Vue Apps with Playwright
When to use: Testing Vue 3 applications, including composition API components, Pinia stores, Vue Router navigation, Nuxt.js apps, Teleport portals, and transitions. Covers E2E testing and experimental component testing with
@playwright/experimental-ct-vue. Prerequisites: core/configuration.md, core/locators.md
Quick Reference
# Install Playwright in a Vue project
npm init playwright@latest
# Install component testing (experimental)
npm install -D @playwright/experimental-ct-vue
# Run E2E tests
npx playwright test
# Run component tests
npx playwright test -c playwright-ct.config.ts
# Debug a test with headed browser and inspector
npx playwright test tests/home.spec.ts --headed --debug
Setup
Playwright Config for Vue (Vite)
TypeScript
// playwright.config.ts
import { defineConfig, devices } from "@playwright/test"
export default defineConfig({
testDir: "./tests/e2e",
testMatch: "**/*.spec.ts",
fullyParallel: true,
forbidOnly: !!process.env.CI,
retries: process.env.CI ? 2 : 0,
workers: process.env.CI ? "50%" : undefined,
use: {
baseURL: "http://localhost:5173",
trace: "on-first-retry",
screenshot: "only-on-failure",
},
projects: [
{
name: "chromium",
use: { ...devices["Desktop Chrome"] },
},
{
name: "firefox",
use: { ...devices["Desktop Firefox"] },
},
{
name: "mobile",
use: { ...devices["iPhone 14"] },
},
],
webServer: {
command: process.env.CI ? "npm run build && npx vite preview --port 5173" : "npm run dev",
url: "http://localhost:5173",
reuseExistingServer: !process.env.CI,
timeout: 120_000,
},
})
JavaScript
// playwright.config.js
const { defineConfig, devices } = require("@playwright/test")
module.exports = defineConfig({
testDir: "./tests/e2e",
testMatch: "**/*.spec.js",
fullyParallel: true,
forbidOnly: !!process.env.CI,
retries: process.env.CI ? 2 : 0,
workers: process.env.CI ? "50%" : undefined,
use: {
baseURL: "http://localhost:5173",
trace: "on-first-retry",
screenshot: "only-on-failure",
},
projects: [
{
name: "chromium",
use: { ...devices["Desktop Chrome"] },
},
{
name: "firefox",
use: { ...devices["Desktop Firefox"] },
},
{
name: "mobile",
use: { ...devices["iPhone 14"] },
},
],
webServer: {
command: process.env.CI ? "npm run build && npx vite preview --port 5173" : "npm run dev",
url: "http://localhost:5173",
reuseExistingServer: !process.env.CI,
timeout: 120_000,
},
})
Component Testing Config
TypeScript
// playwright-ct.config.ts
import { defineConfig, devices } from "@playwright/experimental-ct-vue"
export default defineConfig({
testDir: "./tests/components",
testMatch: "**/*.ct.ts",
use: {
trace: "on-first-retry",
ctPort: 3100,
},
projects: [
{
name: "chromium",
use: { ...devices["Desktop Chrome"] },
},
],
})
JavaScript
// playwright-ct.config.js
const { defineConfig, devices } = require("@playwright/experimental-ct-vue")
module.exports = defineConfig({
testDir: "./tests/components",
testMatch: "**/*.ct.js",
use: {
trace: "on-first-retry",
ctPort: 3100,
},
projects: [
{
name: "chromium",
use: { ...devices["Desktop Chrome"] },
},
],
})
Nuxt.js Setup
Nuxt requires a build step before testing and uses port 3000 by default.
TypeScript
// playwright.config.ts
import { defineConfig, devices } from "@playwright/test"
export default defineConfig({
testDir: "./tests/e2e",
testMatch: "**/*.spec.ts",
fullyParallel: true,
forbidOnly: !!process.env.CI,
retries: process.env.CI ? 2 : 0,
use: {
baseURL: "http://localhost:3000",
trace: "on-first-retry",
screenshot: "only-on-failure",
},
projects: [
{
name: "chromium",
use: { ...devices["Desktop Chrome"] },
},
],
webServer: {
command: process.env.CI ? "npx nuxi build && npx nuxi preview" : "npx nuxi dev",
url: "http://localhost:3000",
reuseExistingServer: !process.env.CI,
timeout: 120_000,
env: {
NUXT_PUBLIC_API_BASE: "http://localhost:3000/api",
},
},
})
JavaScript
// playwright.config.js
const { defineConfig, devices } = require("@playwright/test")
module.exports = defineConfig({
testDir: "./tests/e2e",
testMatch: "**/*.spec.js",
fullyParallel: true,
forbidOnly: !!process.env.CI,
retries: process.env.CI ? 2 : 0,
use: {
baseURL: "http://localhost:3000",
trace: "on-first-retry",
screenshot: "only-on-failure",
},
projects: [
{
name: "chromium",
use: { ...devices["Desktop Chrome"] },
},
],
webServer: {
command: process.env.CI ? "npx nuxi build && npx nuxi preview" : "npx nuxi dev",
url: "http://localhost:3000",
reuseExistingServer: !process.env.CI,
timeout: 120_000,
env: {
NUXT_PUBLIC_API_BASE: "http://localhost:3000/api",
},
},
})
Patterns
Component Testing with @playwright/experimental-ct-vue
Use when: Testing complex interactive Vue components in isolation -- data tables, form components, custom select dropdowns, rich editors. The component needs a real browser but not a full application. Avoid when: The component depends heavily on Pinia stores, Vue Router, or backend data. Use E2E tests instead, or provide the dependencies in your component test setup.
TypeScript
// tests/components/Counter.ct.ts
import { test, expect } from "@playwright/experimental-ct-vue"
import Counter from "../../src/components/Counter.vue"
test("renders with initial count and increments", async ({ mount }) => {
const component = await mount(Counter, {
props: {
initialCount: 0,
},
})
await expect(component.getByText("Count: 0")).toBeVisible()
await component.getByRole("button", { name: "Increment" }).click()
await expect(component.getByText("Count: 1")).toBeVisible()
})
test("emits update event when count changes", async ({ mount }) => {
const emittedValues: number[] = []
const component = await mount(Counter, {
props: {
initialCount: 5,
},
on: {
update: (value: number) => emittedValues.push(value),
},
})
await component.getByRole("button", { name: "Increment" }).click()
await component.getByRole("button", { name: "Increment" }).click()
expect(emittedValues).toEqual([6, 7])
})
test("respects max prop", async ({ mount }) => {
const component = await mount(Counter, {
props: {
initialCount: 9,
max: 10,
},
})
await component.getByRole("button", { name: "Increment" }).click()
await expect(component.getByText("Count: 10")).toBeVisible()
// At max -- button should be disabled
await expect(component.getByRole("button", { name: "Increment" })).toBeDisabled()
})
test("renders with slot content", async ({ mount }) => {
const component = await mount(Counter, {
props: { initialCount: 0 },
slots: {
default: '<span class="custom-label">Items in cart</span>',
},
})
await expect(component.getByText("Items in cart")).toBeVisible()
})
JavaScript
// tests/components/Counter.ct.js
const { test, expect } = require("@playwright/experimental-ct-vue")
const Counter = require("../../src/components/Counter.vue")
test("renders with initial count and increments", async ({ mount }) => {
const component = await mount(Counter, {
props: {
initialCount: 0,
},
})
await expect(component.getByText("Count: 0")).toBeVisible()
await component.getByRole("button", { name: "Increment" }).click()
await expect(component.getByText("Count: 1")).toBeVisible()
})
test("emits update event when count changes", async ({ mount }) => {
const emittedValues = []
const component = await mount(Counter, {
props: {
initialCount: 5,
},
on: {
update: (value) => emittedValues.push(value),
},
})
await component.getByRole("button", { name: "Increment" }).click()
await component.getByRole("button", { name: "Increment" }).click()
expect(emittedValues).toEqual([6, 7])
})
test("renders with slot content", async ({ mount }) => {
const component = await mount(Counter, {
props: { initialCount: 0 },
slots: {
default: '<span class="custom-label">Items in cart</span>',
},
})
await expect(component.getByText("Items in cart")).toBeVisible()
})
Testing Pinia Stores Through the UI
Use when: Verifying that Pinia stores produce the correct UI behavior. Playwright tests the rendered output, not the store directly. If the UI is correct, the store is correct. Avoid when: Testing pure store logic (getters, actions with no UI side effect) -- use unit tests with Vitest for that.
TypeScript
import { test, expect } from "@playwright/test"
test.describe("Pinia cart store (tested through UI)", () => {
test("adding items updates the cart across the app", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/products")
const cartBadge = page.getByTestId("cart-count")
// Initially empty
await expect(cartBadge).toHaveText("0")
// Add first item -- Pinia store action is triggered
await page
.getByRole("listitem")
.filter({ hasText: "Vue T-Shirt" })
.getByRole("button", { name: "Add to cart" })
.click()
await expect(cartBadge).toHaveText("1")
// Add second item
await page
.getByRole("listitem")
.filter({ hasText: "Pinia Sticker Pack" })
.getByRole("button", { name: "Add to cart" })
.click()
await expect(cartBadge).toHaveText("2")
// Navigate to cart page -- store state persists
await page.getByRole("link", { name: "Cart" }).click()
await page.waitForURL("/cart")
await expect(page.getByText("Vue T-Shirt")).toBeVisible()
await expect(page.getByText("Pinia Sticker Pack")).toBeVisible()
await expect(page.getByText("Total: $29.98")).toBeVisible()
})
test("removing items from cart updates total", async ({ page }) => {
// Navigate to a pre-populated cart (seed via API or navigate through adding items)
await page.goto("/products")
await page
.getByRole("listitem")
.filter({ hasText: "Vue T-Shirt" })
.getByRole("button", { name: "Add to cart" })
.click()
await page.getByRole("link", { name: "Cart" }).click()
await page.waitForURL("/cart")
await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Remove Vue T-Shirt" }).click()
await expect(page.getByText("Your cart is empty")).toBeVisible()
await expect(page.getByTestId("cart-count")).toHaveText("0")
})
test("store persists after page reload when using pinia-plugin-persistedstate", async ({
page,
}) => {
await page.goto("/products")
await page
.getByRole("listitem")
.filter({ hasText: "Vue T-Shirt" })
.getByRole("button", { name: "Add to cart" })
.click()
// Reload the page -- persisted store should restore state
await page.reload()
await expect(page.getByTestId("cart-count")).toHaveText("1")
})
})
test.describe("Pinia auth store (tested through UI)", () => {
test("login updates auth state across all components", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/")
await expect(page.getByRole("link", { name: "Sign in" })).toBeVisible()
await page.getByRole("link", { name: "Sign in" }).click()
await page.getByLabel("Email").fill("user@example.com")
await page.getByLabel("Password").fill("password123")
await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Sign in" }).click()
await page.waitForURL("/dashboard")
// Header updates (uses auth store)
await expect(page.getByText("user@example.com")).toBeVisible()
// Navigation updates (uses auth store for conditional routes)
await expect(page.getByRole("link", { name: "Admin" })).toBeVisible()
})
})
JavaScript
const { test, expect } = require("@playwright/test")
test.describe("Pinia cart store (tested through UI)", () => {
test("adding items updates the cart across the app", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/products")
const cartBadge = page.getByTestId("cart-count")
await expect(cartBadge).toHaveText("0")
await page
.getByRole("listitem")
.filter({ hasText: "Vue T-Shirt" })
.getByRole("button", { name: "Add to cart" })
.click()
await expect(cartBadge).toHaveText("1")
await page
.getByRole("listitem")
.filter({ hasText: "Pinia Sticker Pack" })
.getByRole("button", { name: "Add to cart" })
.click()
await expect(cartBadge).toHaveText("2")
await page.getByRole("link", { name: "Cart" }).click()
await page.waitForURL("/cart")
await expect(page.getByText("Vue T-Shirt")).toBeVisible()
await expect(page.getByText("Pinia Sticker Pack")).toBeVisible()
})
test("store persists after page reload when using pinia-plugin-persistedstate", async ({
page,
}) => {
await page.goto("/products")
await page
.getByRole("listitem")
.filter({ hasText: "Vue T-Shirt" })
.getByRole("button", { name: "Add to cart" })
.click()
await page.reload()
await expect(page.getByTestId("cart-count")).toHaveText("1")
})
})
Testing Vue Router Navigation
Use when: Testing client-side routing with Vue Router. Verify route transitions, navigation guards, URL parameters, and browser history behavior. Avoid when: Testing Nuxt.js file-based routing -- the patterns are similar but Nuxt has additional server-side concerns.
TypeScript
import { test, expect } from "@playwright/test"
test.describe("Vue Router navigation", () => {
test("client-side navigation does not cause full page reload", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/")
await page.evaluate(() => {
;(window as any).__testMarker = "no-reload"
})
await page.getByRole("link", { name: "Products" }).click()
await page.waitForURL("/products")
const marker = await page.evaluate(() => (window as any).__testMarker)
expect(marker).toBe("no-reload")
})
test("dynamic route params render correct content", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/products/42")
await expect(page.getByRole("heading", { level: 1 })).toBeVisible()
await expect(page.getByText("Product #42")).toBeVisible()
})
test("navigation guard redirects unauthenticated users", async ({ page }) => {
// Visit a route guarded by router.beforeEach
await page.goto("/admin/users")
// Guard should redirect to login
await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/login/)
await expect(page.getByRole("heading", { name: "Sign in" })).toBeVisible()
})
test("named routes and nested views render correctly", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/settings")
// Parent layout
await expect(page.getByRole("heading", { name: "Settings" })).toBeVisible()
await expect(page.getByRole("navigation", { name: "Settings" })).toBeVisible()
// Default child route
await expect(page.getByRole("heading", { name: "General", level: 2 })).toBeVisible()
// Navigate to sibling child route
await page.getByRole("link", { name: "Notifications" }).click()
await page.waitForURL("/settings/notifications")
// Parent layout persists, child content changes
await expect(page.getByRole("heading", { name: "Settings" })).toBeVisible()
await expect(page.getByRole("heading", { name: "Notifications", level: 2 })).toBeVisible()
})
test("browser back/forward works with Vue Router", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/")
await page.getByRole("link", { name: "Products" }).click()
await page.waitForURL("/products")
await page.getByRole("link", { name: "About" }).click()
await page.waitForURL("/about")
await page.goBack()
await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/products/)
await page.goBack()
await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/$/)
await page.goForward()
await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/products/)
})
test("query parameters update reactive computed properties", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/products?sort=price-asc&category=electronics")
await expect(page.getByRole("heading", { name: "Electronics" })).toBeVisible()
// Change sort via UI (updates route query params)
await page.getByRole("combobox", { name: "Sort by" }).selectOption("name-asc")
await expect(page).toHaveURL(/sort=name-asc/)
})
test("404 catch-all route displays not found page", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/this-page-does-not-exist")
await expect(page.getByRole("heading", { name: "Page Not Found" })).toBeVisible()
await expect(page.getByRole("link", { name: "Go home" })).toBeVisible()
})
})
JavaScript
const { test, expect } = require("@playwright/test")
test.describe("Vue Router navigation", () => {
test("client-side navigation does not cause full page reload", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/")
await page.evaluate(() => {
window.__testMarker = "no-reload"
})
await page.getByRole("link", { name: "Products" }).click()
await page.waitForURL("/products")
const marker = await page.evaluate(() => window.__testMarker)
expect(marker).toBe("no-reload")
})
test("dynamic route params render correct content", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/products/42")
await expect(page.getByRole("heading", { level: 1 })).toBeVisible()
await expect(page.getByText("Product #42")).toBeVisible()
})
test("navigation guard redirects unauthenticated users", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/admin/users")
await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/login/)
await expect(page.getByRole("heading", { name: "Sign in" })).toBeVisible()
})
test("browser back/forward works with Vue Router", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/")
await page.getByRole("link", { name: "Products" }).click()
await page.waitForURL("/products")
await page.getByRole("link", { name: "About" }).click()
await page.waitForURL("/about")
await page.goBack()
await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/products/)
await page.goBack()
await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/$/)
})
})
Testing Teleport (Portals)
Use when: Testing components rendered via Vue's <Teleport> -- modals, notifications, overlay menus. Teleport moves DOM elements to a different location (often body), but Playwright sees the entire document.
Avoid when: The component is not teleported -- it renders inline in its parent.
TypeScript
import { test, expect } from "@playwright/test"
test.describe("Teleport components", () => {
test("modal teleported to body is visible and interactive", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/products")
await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Delete" }).first().click()
// Modal is teleported to <body> with <Teleport to="body">
// Playwright sees it like any other element
const modal = page.getByRole("dialog", { name: "Confirm deletion" })
await expect(modal).toBeVisible()
await modal.getByRole("button", { name: "Cancel" }).click()
await expect(modal).toBeHidden()
})
test("teleported notification appears above all content", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/settings")
await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Save" }).click()
// Notification teleported to #notifications container
const notification = page.getByRole("alert")
await expect(notification).toBeVisible()
await expect(notification).toContainText("Settings saved")
// Auto-dismiss
await expect(notification).toBeHidden({ timeout: 10_000 })
})
test("teleported dropdown closes on outside click", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/dashboard")
await page.getByRole("button", { name: "User menu" }).click()
const menu = page.getByRole("menu")
await expect(menu).toBeVisible()
// Click outside the menu
await page.locator("body").click({ position: { x: 10, y: 10 } })
await expect(menu).toBeHidden()
})
})
JavaScript
const { test, expect } = require("@playwright/test")
test.describe("Teleport components", () => {
test("modal teleported to body is visible and interactive", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/products")
await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Delete" }).first().click()
const modal = page.getByRole("dialog", { name: "Confirm deletion" })
await expect(modal).toBeVisible()
await modal.getByRole("button", { name: "Cancel" }).click()
await expect(modal).toBeHidden()
})
test("teleported notification appears above all content", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/settings")
await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Save" }).click()
const notification = page.getByRole("alert")
await expect(notification).toBeVisible()
await expect(notification).toContainText("Settings saved")
await expect(notification).toBeHidden({ timeout: 10_000 })
})
test("teleported dropdown closes on outside click", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/dashboard")
await page.getByRole("button", { name: "User menu" }).click()
const menu = page.getByRole("menu")
await expect(menu).toBeVisible()
await page.locator("body").click({ position: { x: 10, y: 10 } })
await expect(menu).toBeHidden()
})
})
Testing Transitions and Animations
Use when: Verifying that Vue <Transition> and <TransitionGroup> components work correctly -- elements appear, disappear, and reorder with expected behavior. Focus on the end state, not the animation itself.
Avoid when: Testing the exact CSS animation keyframes -- visual regression testing is better for pixel-level validation.
TypeScript
import { test, expect } from "@playwright/test"
test.describe("transitions", () => {
test("list items animate in when added", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/todo")
await page.getByRole("textbox", { name: "New task" }).fill("Buy groceries")
await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Add" }).click()
// The item should be visible after the enter transition completes
// Playwright auto-waits for visibility, handling the transition automatically
await expect(page.getByText("Buy groceries")).toBeVisible()
})
test("deleted items animate out and are removed from DOM", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/todo")
// Add an item first
await page.getByRole("textbox", { name: "New task" }).fill("Temporary task")
await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Add" }).click()
await expect(page.getByText("Temporary task")).toBeVisible()
// Delete it
await page
.getByRole("listitem")
.filter({ hasText: "Temporary task" })
.getByRole("button", { name: "Delete" })
.click()
// After the leave transition, the element should be gone
await expect(page.getByText("Temporary task")).toBeHidden()
})
test("page transition completes between routes", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/")
await page.getByRole("link", { name: "About" }).click()
await page.waitForURL("/about")
// After the route transition animation, content should be visible
await expect(page.getByRole("heading", { name: "About" })).toBeVisible()
})
test("disable animations for faster, more reliable tests", async ({ page }) => {
// Disable all CSS animations and transitions for deterministic testing
await page.addStyleTag({
content: `
*, *::before, *::after {
animation-duration: 0s !important;
animation-delay: 0s !important;
transition-duration: 0s !important;
transition-delay: 0s !important;
}
`,
})
await page.goto("/todo")
await page.getByRole("textbox", { name: "New task" }).fill("Instant task")
await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Add" }).click()
// With animations disabled, elements appear/disappear instantly
await expect(page.getByText("Instant task")).toBeVisible()
})
})
JavaScript
const { test, expect } = require("@playwright/test")
test.describe("transitions", () => {
test("list items animate in when added", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/todo")
await page.getByRole("textbox", { name: "New task" }).fill("Buy groceries")
await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Add" }).click()
await expect(page.getByText("Buy groceries")).toBeVisible()
})
test("deleted items animate out and are removed from DOM", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/todo")
await page.getByRole("textbox", { name: "New task" }).fill("Temporary task")
await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Add" }).click()
await expect(page.getByText("Temporary task")).toBeVisible()
await page
.getByRole("listitem")
.filter({ hasText: "Temporary task" })
.getByRole("button", { name: "Delete" })
.click()
await expect(page.getByText("Temporary task")).toBeHidden()
})
test("disable animations for faster, more reliable tests", async ({ page }) => {
await page.addStyleTag({
content: `
*, *::before, *::after {
animation-duration: 0s !important;
animation-delay: 0s !important;
transition-duration: 0s !important;
transition-delay: 0s !important;
}
`,
})
await page.goto("/todo")
await page.getByRole("textbox", { name: "New task" }).fill("Instant task")
await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Add" }).click()
await expect(page.getByText("Instant task")).toBeVisible()
})
})
Testing Composition API Components
Use when: Testing components built with the Vue 3 Composition API (<script setup>, setup() function). From Playwright's perspective, Composition API and Options API components are identical -- you test the rendered output.
Avoid when: You want to test composable functions in isolation -- use Vitest for that.
TypeScript
import { test, expect } from "@playwright/test"
test.describe("composition API patterns", () => {
test("computed properties update the UI reactively", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/calculator")
await page.getByLabel("Price").fill("100")
await page.getByLabel("Quantity").fill("3")
// Computed total should update reactively
await expect(page.getByTestId("total")).toHaveText("$300.00")
// Apply discount
await page.getByLabel("Discount (%)").fill("10")
await expect(page.getByTestId("total")).toHaveText("$270.00")
})
test("watcher triggers side effect on value change", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/settings")
// Changing the language triggers a watcher that reloads translations
await page.getByRole("combobox", { name: "Language" }).selectOption("fr")
// Watcher fetches French translations -- UI updates
await expect(page.getByRole("heading", { name: "Parametres" })).toBeVisible()
})
test("composable hook (useSearch) provides debounced search", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/products")
const searchInput = page.getByRole("textbox", { name: "Search products" })
await searchInput.pressSequentially("vue stickers", { delay: 50 })
// useSearch composable debounces and fetches results
await expect(page.getByRole("listitem")).toHaveCount(3)
await expect(page.getByText("Vue Sticker Pack")).toBeVisible()
})
test("provide/inject context works across component tree", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/dashboard")
// Theme is provided at the app root and injected in child components
await page.getByRole("switch", { name: "Dark mode" }).click()
// All components using inject('theme') should update
await expect(page.locator("body")).toHaveClass(/dark/)
await expect(page.getByRole("navigation")).toHaveCSS("background-color", /rgb\(30/)
})
})
JavaScript
const { test, expect } = require("@playwright/test")
test.describe("composition API patterns", () => {
test("computed properties update the UI reactively", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/calculator")
await page.getByLabel("Price").fill("100")
await page.getByLabel("Quantity").fill("3")
await expect(page.getByTestId("total")).toHaveText("$300.00")
await page.getByLabel("Discount (%)").fill("10")
await expect(page.getByTestId("total")).toHaveText("$270.00")
})
test("watcher triggers side effect on value change", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/settings")
await page.getByRole("combobox", { name: "Language" }).selectOption("fr")
await expect(page.getByRole("heading", { name: "Parametres" })).toBeVisible()
})
test("composable hook (useSearch) provides debounced search", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/products")
const searchInput = page.getByRole("textbox", { name: "Search products" })
await searchInput.pressSequentially("vue stickers", { delay: 50 })
await expect(page.getByRole("listitem")).toHaveCount(3)
await expect(page.getByText("Vue Sticker Pack")).toBeVisible()
})
})
Testing Nuxt.js Specific Patterns
Use when: Testing Nuxt 3 applications with server-side rendering, auto-imports, server routes (/server/api/), and middleware.
Avoid when: Testing a plain Vue SPA without Nuxt.
TypeScript
import { test, expect } from "@playwright/test"
test.describe("Nuxt-specific patterns", () => {
test("SSR page renders server-fetched data", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/blog")
// useFetch/useAsyncData runs on the server -- content is in the initial HTML
await expect(page.getByRole("article")).toHaveCount(10)
await expect(page.getByRole("article").first()).toContainText(/\w+/)
})
test("Nuxt server route returns correct data", async ({ request }) => {
const response = await request.get("/api/products")
expect(response.ok()).toBeTruthy()
const body = await response.json()
expect(body).toBeInstanceOf(Array)
expect(body[0]).toHaveProperty("id")
})
test("Nuxt middleware redirects unauthenticated users", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/admin")
// definePageMeta({ middleware: 'auth' }) in the page triggers redirect
await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/login/)
})
test("NuxtLink enables client-side navigation", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/")
await page.evaluate(() => {
;(window as any).__testMarker = "no-reload"
})
await page.getByRole("link", { name: "Blog" }).click()
await page.waitForURL("/blog")
const marker = await page.evaluate(() => (window as any).__testMarker)
expect(marker).toBe("no-reload")
})
test("useHead sets meta tags for SEO", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/blog/my-post")
const title = await page.title()
expect(title).toContain("My Post")
const description = await page.locator('meta[name="description"]').getAttribute("content")
expect(description).toBeTruthy()
expect(description!.length).toBeGreaterThan(50)
})
})
JavaScript
const { test, expect } = require("@playwright/test")
test.describe("Nuxt-specific patterns", () => {
test("SSR page renders server-fetched data", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/blog")
await expect(page.getByRole("article")).toHaveCount(10)
await expect(page.getByRole("article").first()).toContainText(/\w+/)
})
test("Nuxt server route returns correct data", async ({ request }) => {
const response = await request.get("/api/products")
expect(response.ok()).toBeTruthy()
const body = await response.json()
expect(body).toBeInstanceOf(Array)
expect(body[0]).toHaveProperty("id")
})
test("Nuxt middleware redirects unauthenticated users", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/admin")
await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/login/)
})
test("NuxtLink enables client-side navigation", async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto("/")
await page.evaluate(() => {
window.__testMarker = "no-reload"
})
await page.getByRole("link", { name: "Blog" }).click()
await page.waitForURL("/blog")
const marker = await page.evaluate(() => window.__testMarker)
expect(marker).toBe("no-reload")
})
})
Framework-Specific Tips
Vue DevTools and Playwright
Vue DevTools is a browser extension. It does not interfere with Playwright tests since Playwright launches its own browser profile without extensions. Do not rely on Vue DevTools for debugging in CI -- use Playwright traces instead.
Testing v-model Two-Way Binding
v-model on form inputs works through standard HTML events. Playwright's fill(), check(), selectOption() methods trigger the correct events automatically. No special handling is needed.
// This works for any v-model input -- no special Vue handling needed
await page.getByLabel("Username").fill("janedoe")
await page.getByRole("checkbox", { name: "Remember me" }).check()
await page.getByRole("combobox", { name: "Role" }).selectOption("admin")
Vue vs Nuxt: Configuration Differences
| Aspect | Vue 3 (Vite) | Nuxt 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Default port | 5173 |
3000 |
| Dev command | npm run dev (vite) |
npx nuxi dev |
| Build + preview | npm run build && npx vite preview |
npx nuxi build && npx nuxi preview |
| SSR | Optional (vue-server-renderer) | Built-in |
| API routes | External backend | /server/api/ built-in |
| Environment variables | VITE_* prefix |
NUXT_PUBLIC_* prefix for client, NUXT_* for server |
| File-based routing | No (uses vue-router config) | Yes (automatic from /pages/) |
Component Testing: Providing Pinia and Router
When using @playwright/experimental-ct-vue, components that depend on Pinia or Vue Router need these dependencies provided. Configure the test wrapper:
// playwright/index.ts (component testing setup)
import { beforeMount } from "@playwright/experimental-ct-vue/hooks"
import { createPinia } from "pinia"
import { createMemoryHistory, createRouter } from "vue-router"
beforeMount(async ({ app, hooksConfig }) => {
// Install Pinia for all component tests
const pinia = createPinia()
app.use(pinia)
// Install a minimal router if the component uses <RouterLink> or useRoute()
if (hooksConfig?.routes) {
const router = createRouter({
history: createMemoryHistory(),
routes: hooksConfig.routes,
})
app.use(router)
}
})
Handling Vue Warnings in Tests
Vue emits runtime warnings (prop validation, missing components, etc.) that can indicate real issues:
test("no Vue warnings during render", async ({ page }) => {
const warnings: string[] = []
page.on("console", (msg) => {
if (msg.type() === "warning" && msg.text().includes("[Vue warn]")) {
warnings.push(msg.text())
}
})
await page.goto("/dashboard")
await expect(page.getByRole("heading", { name: "Dashboard" })).toBeVisible()
expect(warnings).toEqual([])
})
Anti-Patterns
| Don't Do This | Problem | Do This Instead |
|---|---|---|
page.evaluate(() => app.__vue_app__.config.globalProperties.$store) |
Accesses Vue internals; breaks on upgrades; tests implementation | Assert on the UI that state produces |
page.locator('[data-v-abc123]') (scoped style hash) |
Vue generates random scoped attribute hashes; changes on every build | Use getByRole, getByText, getByTestId |
Import .vue files in E2E tests |
E2E tests run in Node.js; .vue files need Vite/Webpack compilation |
Use @playwright/experimental-ct-vue for component tests |
page.waitForTimeout(300) to wait for transition to finish |
Transition durations vary; arbitrary waits are fragile | await expect(locator).toBeVisible() auto-waits through transitions |
Mock Pinia stores by patching window.__pinia |
Fragile; depends on Pinia internals; may not trigger reactivity | Control state through UI interactions or mock the API responses the store consumes |
Test composables by calling them via page.evaluate |
Composables rely on Vue's setup context; calling them outside a component fails | Test composables through the components that use them, or unit test with Vitest |
Use page.locator('.v-btn') for Vuetify components |
Vuetify class names are internal and change between versions | page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Submit' }) works regardless of the component library |
| Skip testing keyboard navigation for custom components | Vue component libraries often have incomplete keyboard support | Test Tab, Enter, Escape, ArrowDown/Up on dropdowns, modals, tabs |
| Run Nuxt dev server in CI | Dev mode includes hot reload overhead, slower builds, development warnings | Use npx nuxi build && npx nuxi preview in CI |
Related
- core/locators.md -- locator strategies for any Vue component library (Vuetify, PrimeVue, Quasar)
- core/assertions-and-waiting.md -- auto-waiting assertions for Vue reactivity
- core/component-testing.md -- in-depth component testing patterns
- core/forms-and-validation.md -- form testing patterns for VeeValidate and FormKit
- core/accessibility.md -- accessibility testing for Vue component libraries
- core/test-architecture.md -- when to use E2E vs component vs unit tests
- core/nextjs.md -- comparison: Nuxt vs Next.js testing patterns