Local Execution

Local execution runs your tests on your own machine, using browsers and devices installed through the Robonito environment manager. It gives you immediate access to services running on localhost and lets you watch tests live in a real browser window.

When to Use Local Execution

SituationUse Local
Testing against localhost or a private intranet✅ Yes
Debugging a failing test step-by-step✅ Yes
Watching the test run live in a browser✅ Yes
Unattended overnight regression pipeline❌ Use Cloud
Running tests in CI/CD without a desktop app❌ Use Cloud
Parallel execution across multiple browsers❌ Use Cloud

Running a Test Locally

From a Single Test Case

  1. Open the test case in the editor.
  2. Click Execute.
  3. In the execution dialog, set Runs on to Local.
  4. Select an Environment from the dropdown.
  5. Click Run.

Robonito launches a browser window on your machine and replays every recorded step in sequence. You can watch it run in real time.

Requirement: The Robonito desktop application must be open and you must be signed in for local execution to work. If the app is closed, scheduled local runs will not fire.

Execution dialog with Local selected, Environment dropdown highlighted, and Run button

From a Suite

  1. Open the suite in the test explorer.
  2. Click Execute in the suite toolbar.
  3. Select Local and choose an environment.
  4. All test cases in the suite run sequentially on your machine.

Local Execution Behavior

  • Sequential — test cases run one after another, not in parallel.
  • Same browser session — each test case gets a fresh browser instance.
  • Live browser window — a real visible browser opens for each test. You can watch every step execute.
  • No VPN required — because the test runs on your machine, it can reach any host your machine can reach, including localhost and private network hosts.

Available Browsers (Local)

Browsers must be installed via the Browser Management → page before they are available for local runs.

BrowserNotes
ChromeDefault. Most compatible.
FirefoxExcellent for cross-browser testing.
EdgeWindows systems installed via a separate installer.
WebKit (Safari)macOS only. Requires macOS installation.

Headless Mode

The browser node in your test case has a Headless Mode toggle. When enabled, the browser runs invisibly in the background — no window opens. Useful for fast background validation when you do not need to watch the run.

Viewing Results

When the run completes, Robonito automatically opens the execution report. You can also find it later in Reports → Execution Type: Test Case filtered to your local runs.

Local execution reports show the same step-level detail as cloud reports: pass/fail per step, screenshots on failure, DOM state, and assertion results.

Troubleshooting Local Runs

SymptomSolution
"Browser not found" errorInstall the browser in Environment Manager → Browser Management
Test hangs and never completesCheck that the target URL is reachable from your machine
Steps fail that pass in cloudCheck for timing differences — cloud machines may be faster/slower; add Wait steps
Local scheduled run didn't fireConfirm the Robonito app was open and signed in at the scheduled time
Video / network capture missingEnable capture in the Browser node options of the test case