Playwright Setup with Java

Playwright is rapidly becoming one of the most popular web automation frameworks. While many examples use TypeScript, Playwright also provides excellent support for Java, making it a strong choice for enterprise automation teams. In this guide, you’ll learn how to setup Playwright with Java, configure a Maven project, execute your first test, and understand the project structure used in real-world automation frameworks.

By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have a fully working Playwright Java project.

Why Use Playwright with Java?

Java remains one of the most widely used programming languages in test automation.

Benefits include:

• Strong enterprise adoption
• Large developer community
• Excellent IDE support
• Integration with Maven and TestNG
• Easier transition from Selenium frameworks

Many organizations are now evaluating Playwright while continuing to use Java as their primary automation language.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

• Java JDK 17 or later
• Maven installed
• IntelliJ IDEA or Eclipse
• Basic Java knowledge

Step 1: Verify Java Installation

Open a terminal and execute:

java -version

Example output:

openjdk version "21.0.2"

Verify Java compiler:

javac -version

Example:

javac 21.0.2

Step 2: Verify Maven Installation

Execute:

mvn -version

Example:

Apache Maven 3.9.x

If Maven is installed successfully, you’re ready to continue.

Step 3: Create a Maven Project

Using IntelliJ:

1. Create New Project
2. Select Maven
3. Enter Project Name
4. Click Create

Example:

playwright-java-project

Step 4: Add Playwright Dependency

Open your pom.xml file.

Add the Playwright dependency:

<dependency>
    <groupId>com.microsoft.playwright</groupId>
    <artifactId>playwright</artifactId>
    <version>1.54.0</version>
</dependency>

Always check the latest Playwright version before implementation.

Sample pom.xml

<project xmlns="http://maven.apache.org/POM/4.0.0">
    <modelVersion>4.0.0</modelVersion>
    <groupId>com.demo</groupId>
    <artifactId>playwright-java-project</artifactId>
    <version>1.0</version>
    <dependencies>
        <dependency>
            <groupId>com.microsoft.playwright</groupId>
            <artifactId>playwright</artifactId>
            <version>1.54.0</version>
        </dependency>
    </dependencies>
</project>

Step 5: Download Dependencies

Run:

mvn clean install

Maven downloads all required Playwright libraries automatically.

Step 6: Create Project Structure

Recommended structure:

playwright-java-project
│
├── src
│   ├── main
│   └── test
│
├── pom.xml
│
└── target

As the framework grows, additional folders can be added:

pages
tests
utils
reports
config

Step 7: Create Your First Playwright Java Test

Create:

src/test/java/FirstPlaywrightTest.java

Example:

import com.microsoft.playwright.*;
public class FirstPlaywrightTest {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        try (Playwright playwright = Playwright.create()) {
            Browser browser = playwright.chromium().launch(
                    new BrowserType.LaunchOptions()
                            .setHeadless(false)
            );
            Page page = browser.newPage();
            page.navigate("https://playwright.dev");
            System.out.println(page.title());
            browser.close();
        }
    }
}

Understanding the Code

Create Playwright Instance

Playwright playwright = Playwright.create();

This initializes the Playwright engine.

Launch Browser

Browser browser = playwright.chromium().launch();

Starts a Chromium browser.

Create New Page

Page page = browser.newPage();

Equivalent to opening a new browser tab.

Navigate to URL

page.navigate("https://playwright.dev");

Opens the target website.

Get Page Title

page.title();

Returns the page title.

Step 8: Run the Test

Run the Java class from IntelliJ or Eclipse.

Expected output:

Fast and reliable end-to-end testing for modern web apps

A browser window should open and navigate automatically.

Step 9: Run Browser in Headless Mode

For CI/CD pipelines:

Browser browser =
    playwright.chromium().launch(
        new BrowserType.LaunchOptions()
            .setHeadless(true)
    );

Benefits:

• Faster execution
• Lower resource usage
• Suitable for Jenkins and GitHub Actions

Step 10: Launch Different Browsers

Chromium

playwright.chromium().launch();

Firefox

playwright.firefox().launch();

WebKit

playwright.webkit().launch();

Browser Support in Playwright Java

Playwright Java supports:

This enables true cross-browser testing from a single framework.

Using Playwright with TestNG

Most enterprise frameworks use TestNG.

Example dependency:

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.testng</groupId>
    <artifactId>testng</artifactId>
    <version>7.11.0</version>
    <scope>test</scope>
</dependency>

Benefits:

• Assertions
• Parallel execution
• Test grouping
• Reporting

Common Installation Issues

Java Version Problems

Cause:

Using unsupported Java version.

Solution:

Use Java 17 or newer.

Maven Dependency Download Failure

Cause:

Corporate proxy or internet restrictions.

Solution:

Configure Maven settings correctly.

Browser Not Launching

Cause:

Security restrictions or antivirus software.

Solution:

Verify browser installation and permissions.

IDE Dependency Errors

Cause:

Maven dependencies not refreshed.

Solution:

Reload Maven project.

Best Practices

• Use Maven for dependency management
• Adopt Page Object Model early
• Use TestNG for test execution
• Keep browser setup reusable
• Store configuration outside code
• Use headless mode in CI/CD
• Maintain separate environments

Why Java Teams Are Exploring Playwright

Many Selenium teams are evaluating Playwright because it offers:

• Auto-waiting
• Better stability
• Faster execution
• Built-in tracing
• Modern browser support

At the same time, Java allows teams to leverage existing skills and framework experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Playwright be used with Java?

Yes. Playwright provides official Java support.

Do I need Node.js for Playwright Java?

No. Java projects typically use Maven for dependency management.

Can I use TestNG with Playwright?

Yes. TestNG integrates well with Playwright Java frameworks.

Is Playwright Java suitable for enterprise projects?

Yes. Many organizations are adopting Playwright Java for modern automation initiatives.

Which is easier for Playwright: Java or TypeScript?

TypeScript has the largest Playwright ecosystem, but Java remains a strong choice for enterprise teams.

Conclusion

Setting up Playwright with Java is straightforward and allows automation engineers to leverage modern browser automation while continuing to work within familiar Java ecosystems.

By combining Playwright, Java, Maven, and TestNG, teams can build scalable, reliable, and maintainable automation frameworks that support modern web applications.

Now that Playwright is installed, the next step is learning how to create and organize real-world automation tests using Playwright Java.

Related Articles

✓ What is Playwright?

✓ Playwright Architecture Explained

✓ Playwright Setup with TypeScript

✓ Playwright Locators Explained

✓ Selenium vs Playwright

✓ Complete Playwright Tutorial