Solving the “Could Not Find Chrome” Error in Puppeteer for Node.js Standalone Executable Applications (SEAs)

If you’re reading this article, chances are you’ve stumbled upon the frustrating “Could not find Chrome” error while trying to use Puppeteer in your Node.js standalone executable application (SEA). Fear not, dear developer, for we’re about to embark on a journey to conquer this pesky issue and get your Puppeteer-powered SEA up and running in no time!

What’s Going On?

Before we dive into the solution, let’s take a step back and understand why this error occurs. Puppeteer, a popular Node.js library developed by the Chrome team, relies on Chrome to perform its browser automation magic. When you create a Node.js SEA using tools like Electron or pkg, the executable file may not have access to the system’s Chrome installation. This leads to the “Could not find Chrome” error, causing your SEA to fail miserably.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, make sure you have the following installed:

• Node.js (obviously!)
• Puppeteer installed via npm or yarn (npm install puppeteer or yarn add puppeteer)
• A Node.js SEA creation tool like Electron (npm install electron) or pkg (npm install pkg)
• A basic understanding of Node.js, JavaScript, and HTML (we’ll keep it simple, though!)

Solution 1: Bundle Chrome with Your SEA (Recommended)

One approach to solving the “Could not find Chrome” error is to bundle Chrome with your SEA. This ensures that Chrome is always available, even when your SEA is run on a system without Chrome installed.

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Create a new directory for your project and navigate into it in your terminal/command prompt.
2. Install Puppeteer using npm or yarn (npm install puppeteer or yarn add puppeteer).
3. Run the following command to download a compatible Chrome version:

   node node_modules/puppeteer/install.js

4. Create a new file called main.js and add the following code:

   const puppeteer = require('puppeteer');
   
   (async () => {
     const browser = await puppeteer.launch({ executablePath: './node_modules/puppeteer/.local-chromium/win64-884014/chrome-win/chrome.exe' });
     const page = await browser.newPage();
     await page.goto('https://example.com');
     await browser.close();
   })();
   

5. Modify the executablePath to match the path to the Chrome executable in your project directory.
6. Use Electron or pkg to create your SEA, specifying the main.js file as the entry point.

By bundling Chrome with your SEA, you ensure that Chrome is always available, and the “Could not find Chrome” error is avoided.

Solution 2: Use a Chrome Binary Server

Another approach is to use a Chrome binary server, which provides a Chrome instance over a socket. This method allows your SEA to connect to a remote Chrome instance, eliminating the need to bundle Chrome locally.

To set up a Chrome binary server, follow these steps:

1. Install the chrome-binary-server package using npm or yarn (npm install chrome-binary-server or yarn add chrome-binary-server).
2. Run the following command to start the Chrome binary server:

   npx chrome-binary-server

3. Create a new file called main.js and add the following code:

   const puppeteer = require('puppeteer');
   
   (async () => {
     const browser = await puppeteer.connect({ browserWSEndpoint: 'ws://localhost:4444' });
     const page = await browser.newPage();
     await page.goto('https://example.com');
     await browser.close();
   })();
   

4. Use Electron or pkg to create your SEA, specifying the main.js file as the entry point.

By using a Chrome binary server, you can decouple the Chrome dependency from your SEA and avoid the “Could not find Chrome” error.

Solution 3: Specify the Chrome Executable Path (SEA-Specific)

This solution is specific to Electron and involves specifying the Chrome executable path when creating your SEA.

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Create a new file called main.js and add the following code:

   const { app, BrowserWindow } = require('electron');
   const puppeteer = require('puppeteer');
   
   let win;
   
   (async () => {
     app.on('ready', async () => {
       win = new BrowserWindow({ width: 800, height: 600 });
       win.loadURL(`file://${__dirname}/index.html`);
   
       const browser = await puppeteer.launch({ executablePath: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Google\\Chrome\\Application\\chrome.exe' });
       const page = await browser.newPage();
       await page.goto('https://example.com');
       await browser.close();
     });
   })();
   
   app.on('window-all-closed', () => {
     if (process.platform !== 'darwin') {
       app.quit();
     }
   });
   
   app.on('activate', () => {
     if (win === null) {
       createWindow();
     }
   });
   

2. Modify the executablePath to match the path to the Chrome executable on your system.
3. Use Electron to create your SEA, specifying the main.js file as the entry point.

By specifying the Chrome executable path, you can ensure that Electron uses the correct Chrome instance, avoiding the “Could not find Chrome” error.

Additional Tips and Considerations

Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when working with Puppeteer in Node.js SEAs:

• Chrome Version Compatibility: Ensure that the Chrome version used by Puppeteer is compatible with the system’s Chrome installation, if present.
• Chrome Binary Server Security: When using a Chrome binary server, ensure that the server is secure and not exposed to the public internet to prevent potential security risks.
• SEA Size and Performance: Bundling Chrome with your SEA can significantly increase its size. Optimize your SEA’s performance by using efficient packaging and compression techniques.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the “Could not find Chrome” error in Puppeteer for Node.js SEAs can be resolved using one of the three solutions outlined in this article: bundling Chrome with your SEA, using a Chrome binary server, or specifying the Chrome executable path (for Electron-based SEAs). By following these instructions and considering the additional tips and considerations, you’ll be well on your way to creating seamless and efficient Node.js SEAs using Puppeteer.

Happy coding, and may your SEAs be Chrome-error-free!

Solution	Description
Bundler Chrome with SEA	Bundle Chrome with your SEA to ensure Chrome is always available.
Use Chrome Binary Server	Use a Chrome binary server to provide a Chrome instance over a socket.
Specify Chrome Executable Path (Electron-specific)	Specify the Chrome executable path when creating your SEA using Electron.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask in the comments below!

Here are 5 Questions and Answers about “Puppeteer ‘could not find Chrome’ node js standalone executable application (SEA)” :

Frequently Asked Question

Having trouble with your Puppeteer application? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here are some frequently asked questions to help you resolve the “could not find Chrome” error in your Node.js standalone executable application (SEA).

I hope this helps! Let me know if you need any further assistance.