One post tagged with "visual-regression"

When it comes to visual regression testing, Playwright's .toHaveScreenshot() method has become a popular choice for developers. However, there's a growing need for more sophisticated screenshot management that goes beyond simple file-based storage. This is where Webshot Archive comes in, offering a centralized, team-friendly approach to visual testing.

The Core Difference: Centralized vs Distributed​

Playwright's Approach​

Playwright stores screenshot files directly in your Git repository alongside your test code. While this keeps everything in one place, it comes with several limitations:

• Repository Bloat: Screenshots accumulate over time, making your repository larger and slower to clone
• Git History Pollution: Every screenshot change creates a new commit, cluttering your Git history
• Limited Collaboration: Screenshots are tied to specific branches and commits, making it hard to share across teams

Webshot Archive's Approach​

Webshot Archive provides a centralized, hosted repository for all your visual regression screenshots:

• Clean Repositories: Keep your code repository focused on code, not binary assets
• Dedicated Infrastructure: Optimized storage and retrieval for screenshot data
• Global Accessibility: Team members can access screenshots regardless of their local Git state