Auto-install-browsers

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -5,6 +5,42 @@ All notable changes to the Playwright MCP Server will be documented in this file
 The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/),
 and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
 
+## [1.0.12] - 2025-12-12
+
+### Added
+- **Automatic Browser Installation**: Server now automatically detects and installs missing browser binaries on first use
+- **Smart Browser Detection**: Detects when Chromium, Firefox, or WebKit executables are missing during launch
+- **Auto-Install Function**: Added `installBrowsers()` function that runs `npx playwright install <browser>` automatically
+- **Installation Progress**: Clear console messages showing installation progress and status
+- **Error Recovery**: Graceful fallback with helpful manual installation instructions if auto-install fails
+- **Timeout Protection**: 2-minute timeout for browser installation process
+- **Browser Installation Documentation**: Updated README.md with automatic installation section and browser storage locations
+
+### Changed
+- **Package Updates**:
+  - Updated @modelcontextprotocol/sdk: 1.11.1 → 1.24.3 (major update)
+  - Updated playwright: 1.53.1 → 1.57.0
+  - Updated @playwright/browser-chromium: 1.53.1 → 1.57.0
+  - Updated @playwright/browser-firefox: 1.53.1 → 1.57.0
+  - Updated @playwright/browser-webkit: 1.53.1 → 1.57.0
+  - Updated @playwright/test: 1.53.1 → 1.57.0
+  - Updated express: 4.18.2 → 4.21.1 (patch update for stability)
+  - Updated mcp-evals: 1.0.18 → 2.0.1 (major update)
+- **Security Improvement**: Removed `shell: true` from spawn() in browser installation for better security
+- **Enhanced ensureBrowser()**: Wrapped browser launch in try-catch to detect missing executables
+- **Improved Error Messages**: Better error messages when browsers are missing or installation fails
+
+### Fixed
+- **"Executable doesn't exist" Error**: Users no longer need to manually run `npx playwright install` before first use
+- **First-Run Experience**: Server now works out of the box without any manual browser setup
+
+### Technical Details
+- All 150 tests passing with updated packages
+- Zero configuration required - fully automatic browser installation
+- Backward compatible - no breaking changes
+- Installation attempt triggers on any "Executable doesn't exist" or "Failed to launch" errors
+- Browser installation attempts in both initial launch and retry scenarios
+
 ## [1.0.11] - 2025-12-11
 
 ### Added

README.md

@@ -116,6 +116,39 @@ code-insiders --add-mcp '{"name":"playwright","command":"npx","args":["@executea
 
 After installation, the ExecuteAutomation Playwright MCP server will be available for use with your GitHub Copilot agent in VS Code.
 
+## Browser Installation
+
+### Automatic Installation (Recommended)
+
+The Playwright MCP Server **automatically installs browser binaries** when you first use it. When the server detects that a browser is missing, it will:
+
+1. Automatically download and install the required browser (Chromium, Firefox, or WebKit)
+2. Display installation progress in the console
+3. Retry your request once installation completes
+
+**No manual setup required!** Just start using the server, and it handles browser installation for you.
+
+### Manual Installation (Optional)
+
+If you prefer to install browsers manually or encounter any issues with automatic installation:
+
+```bash
+# Install all browsers
+npx playwright install
+
+# Or install specific browsers
+npx playwright install chromium
+npx playwright install firefox
+npx playwright install webkit
+```
+
+### Browser Storage Location
+
+Browsers are installed to:
+- **Windows:** `%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\ms-playwright`
+- **macOS:** `~/Library/Caches/ms-playwright`
+- **Linux:** `~/.cache/ms-playwright`
+
 ## Configuration to use Playwright Server
 
 ### Standard Mode (stdio)

docs/docs/release.mdx

@@ -5,6 +5,26 @@ import YouTubeVideoEmbed from '@site/src/components/HomepageFeatures/YouTubeVide
 
 # Release Notes
 
+## Version 1.0.12 (December 2025)
+- **Automatic Browser Installation**: No more manual setup required! The server now automatically detects and installs missing browsers
+  ```bash
+  # Just run the server - browsers install automatically on first use
+  npx @executeautomation/playwright-mcp-server
+  ```
+- **Smart Browser Detection**: Automatically detects when Chromium, Firefox, or WebKit browsers are missing
+- **Auto-Install Process**: Runs `npx playwright install <browser>` automatically when needed
+- **Better User Experience**: Clear progress messages and helpful error messages if auto-install fails
+- **Zero Configuration**: Works out of the box without running `npx playwright install` manually
+- **Package Updates**: 
+  - Updated @modelcontextprotocol/sdk: 1.11.1 → 1.24.3
+  - Updated Playwright packages: 1.53.1 → 1.57.0
+  - Updated express: 4.18.2 → 4.21.1
+  - Updated mcp-evals: 1.0.18 → 2.0.1
+- **Security Improvement**: Removed shell execution for better security in browser installation
+- **Test Coverage**: All 150 tests passing with no breaking changes
+
+---
+
 ## Version 1.0.11 (December 2025)
 - **Enhanced API Authentication**: Added Bearer token authentication support for all API methods (GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE)
   ```javascript