Actions8
Overview
The node "Remote Playwright" allows interaction with a remote Playwright instance, enabling browser automation tasks through n8n workflows. Specifically, the NavigateTo operation under the Instance resource directs the remote Playwright-controlled browser to navigate to a specified URL.
This node is beneficial in scenarios where automated web browsing or testing is required without running Playwright locally. For example, it can be used to automate website navigation for data scraping, UI testing, or workflow triggers based on page content.
Practical example: Automatically navigate a browser instance to a product page URL to extract pricing information or trigger further automated interactions.
Properties
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Instance ID | The identifier of the Playwright instance to control. |
| Close Browser on error | Whether to close the browser if an error occurs during the action (true/false). |
| URL | The web address to which the Playwright instance should navigate. |
Output
The node outputs JSON data representing the result of the navigation action. This typically includes status information about the navigation command sent to the remote Playwright instance. There is no indication that binary data is output by this operation.
Dependencies
- Requires access to a remote Playwright service endpoint.
- Needs an API key or authentication token configured in n8n credentials to authorize requests to the remote Playwright API.
- The base URL of the remote Playwright instance must be set in the node's credential configuration.
Troubleshooting
Common issues:
- Invalid or missing Instance ID may cause failure to target the correct browser session.
- Incorrect URL format can lead to navigation errors.
- Network connectivity problems between n8n and the remote Playwright service.
- If "Close Browser on error" is enabled, the browser will close on any error, which might interrupt workflows unexpectedly.
Error messages:
- Errors related to authentication failures indicate misconfigured or missing API credentials.
- Navigation timeout or unreachable URL errors suggest network or URL issues.
Resolutions:
- Verify the Instance ID matches an active Playwright session.
- Ensure URLs are valid and accessible from the remote Playwright environment.
- Check and update API credentials in n8n.
- Adjust the "Close Browser on error" setting according to desired fault tolerance.