Using LocalStorage within the Selenium Webdriver

Question

Using LocalStorage within the Selenium Webdriver

Do LocalStorage stores differ between a regular browser and Selenium Browser? I've noticed that when I create an item on Selenium Chrome, it disappears after I close the browser. Is this supposed to happen? Additionally, I am unable to read the localStorage from a regular browser.

Edit: To clarify further:

If I enter the following in the console of my Selenium chrome browser

localStorage.setItem("test", "This is a test value"); 
localStorage.getItem("test");

=> correctly prints "This is a test value"

However, if I close the Selenium chrome browser, reopen it, and try to retrieve the same value on the same page with localStorage.getItem("test"); => returns null

Despite reading various posts about being able to use localStorage in Selenium, I'm facing this issue.

javascript selenium selenium-webdriver

Answer 1

Answer №1

JavaScript / Node

I encountered a similar issue as discussed in previous responses; the local storage is specific to each profile, and Selenium creates a new profile with an empty local storage every time it launches.

To maintain the local storage between multiple Selenium page launches, you can utilize the same profile:

const webdriver = require('selenium-webdriver');
const chrome = require('selenium-webdriver/chrome');

const chromeProfilePath = 'C:\\Users\\Bob\\AppData\\Local\\Google\\Chrome\\User Data';

let options = new chrome.Options();
options.addArguments(`--user-data-dir=${chromeProfilePath}`); 
let driver = new webdriver.Builder()
    .forBrowser('chrome')
    .setChromeOptions(options)
    .build();

You can find the profile path by entering chrome://version in your browser.

IMPORTANT: make sure to remove the "default" from the end of the path as Chrome automatically appends it back.

Additionally, any changes in Chrome/ChromeDriver post version 74 may impact how options are applied in selenium-webdriver - ensure compatibility with the appropriate version of selenium-webdriver.

Answer 2

JavaScript / Node

I encountered a similar issue as discussed in previous responses; the local storage is specific to each profile, and Selenium creates a new profile with an empty local storage every time it launches.

To maintain the local storage between multiple Selenium page launches, you can utilize the same profile:

const webdriver = require('selenium-webdriver');
const chrome = require('selenium-webdriver/chrome');

const chromeProfilePath = 'C:\\Users\\Bob\\AppData\\Local\\Google\\Chrome\\User Data';

let options = new chrome.Options();
options.addArguments(`--user-data-dir=${chromeProfilePath}`); 
let driver = new webdriver.Builder()
    .forBrowser('chrome')
    .setChromeOptions(options)
    .build();

You can find the profile path by entering chrome://version in your browser.

IMPORTANT: make sure to remove the "default" from the end of the path as Chrome automatically appends it back.

Additionally, any changes in Chrome/ChromeDriver post version 74 may impact how options are applied in selenium-webdriver - ensure compatibility with the appropriate version of selenium-webdriver.

Answer 3

Answer №2

It's important to note that localStorage is persistent across browser re-openings, unlike sessionStorage, which does not survive even a tab close. However, this persistence is specific to each browser profile.

When Chrome and Firefox sessions are created, they start with a fresh profile by default. This explains why your localStorage data was erased.

In the example provided, the entries made in the first session were saved, but once a new session started in a different profile, the localStorage appeared empty.

This default behavior of starting with a new profile makes sense because sharing or preserving localStorage between browser reopenings could lead to contamination from previous sessions, resulting in unexpected outcomes.

To override this default behavior, browsers can be launched with specific profiles for persistence if required.

While Chrome and Firefox begin with a new profile, Internet Explorer starts with a default one, potentially retaining localStorage. However, this is subject to confirmation :)

Contrary to common belief, localStorage is stored on the user's disk drive, ensuring its persistence, rather than in the browser's memory. In contrast, sessionStorage exists solely in memory, guaranteeing that it will not endure browser reopenings.

Answer 4

It's important to note that localStorage is persistent across browser re-openings, unlike sessionStorage, which does not survive even a tab close. However, this persistence is specific to each browser profile.

When Chrome and Firefox sessions are created, they start with a fresh profile by default. This explains why your localStorage data was erased.

In the example provided, the entries made in the first session were saved, but once a new session started in a different profile, the localStorage appeared empty.

This default behavior of starting with a new profile makes sense because sharing or preserving localStorage between browser reopenings could lead to contamination from previous sessions, resulting in unexpected outcomes.

To override this default behavior, browsers can be launched with specific profiles for persistence if required.

While Chrome and Firefox begin with a new profile, Internet Explorer starts with a default one, potentially retaining localStorage. However, this is subject to confirmation :)

Contrary to common belief, localStorage is stored on the user's disk drive, ensuring its persistence, rather than in the browser's memory. In contrast, sessionStorage exists solely in memory, guaranteeing that it will not endure browser reopenings.

Answer 5

Answer №3

When it comes to where data is stored, the answer lies within the browser itself, not Selenium. Once you close the final tab or window, the data vanishes into thin air.

If you utilize localStorage.setItem in a browser and then open another tab or window in the same session, the data remains accessible. However, once that last tab or window is closed, say goodbye to your precious information.

In essence, to ensure continuity of data usage across browser windows, make sure to manage it before shutting down that final window or tab.

Answer 6

When it comes to where data is stored, the answer lies within the browser itself, not Selenium. Once you close the final tab or window, the data vanishes into thin air.

If you utilize localStorage.setItem in a browser and then open another tab or window in the same session, the data remains accessible. However, once that last tab or window is closed, say goodbye to your precious information.

In essence, to ensure continuity of data usage across browser windows, make sure to manage it before shutting down that final window or tab.

Using LocalStorage within the Selenium Webdriver

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

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