What does the Playwright exit code 1 mean?

In Playwright, an exit code of 1 typically indicates that the test execution has failed. This is a generic error code that signals that one or more tests within your test suite have not passed. It's a common way for testing frameworks to communicate that something went wrong during the test run.

Here's a breakdown of what exit code 1 usually means in the context of Playwright:

1. Test Failures: The most common reason for an exit code 1 is that one or more of your tests have failed. This could be due to assertions failing, timeouts occurring, or unexpected errors during test execution.

2. Assertion Errors: When you use Playwright's assertion methods (e.g., `expect(element).toBeVisible()`), a failure in these assertions will lead to a test failure and, consequently, an exit code 1.

3. Unhandled Exceptions: If your test code throws an unhandled exception, Playwright will catch it, mark the test as failed, and return an exit code 1.

4. Timeout Issues: If a test exceeds the specified timeout period, Playwright will consider it a failure and return an exit code 1.

5. Configuration Problems: While less common, issues with your Playwright configuration or environment setup could also lead to test failures and an exit code 1.

6. Network Errors: If your tests rely on network requests and those requests fail, it can cause tests to fail and result in an exit code 1.

How to Debug Exit Code 1:

- Review Test Output: Carefully examine the output from your test run. Playwright provides detailed information about which tests failed and why. Look for error messages, stack traces, and assertion failures.

- Use Debugging Tools: Utilize Playwright's debugging tools, such as the inspector, to step through your tests and identify the root cause of the failure.

- Check Assertions: Verify that your assertions are correct and that the expected conditions are being met.

- Examine Logs: Review any logs generated by your tests or the application under test for clues about the failure.

- Isolate the Issue: Try running individual tests or groups of tests to isolate the specific test(s) causing the failure.

In summary, a Playwright exit code 1 indicates that your tests have failed. It's crucial to analyze the test output and use debugging tools to pinpoint the exact cause of the failure and resolve it.

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