ChromeOptions configuration in Selenium Java

Introduction

ChromeOptions lets you set up how Chrome browser opens during tests. It helps control browser behavior like starting maximized or running without UI.

When you want Chrome to start in full screen for better visibility.

When you need to run tests without opening the browser window (headless mode).

When you want to disable browser notifications during tests.

When you want to add custom arguments like disabling extensions.

When you want to set a specific user profile or preferences.

Syntax

Selenium Java

ChromeOptions options = new ChromeOptions();
options.addArguments("argument");
// Example: options.addArguments("--start-maximized");

WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver(options);

Use addArguments to add command line switches to Chrome.

Pass the configured ChromeOptions object when creating ChromeDriver.

Examples

This opens Chrome maximized for better test visibility.

Selenium Java

ChromeOptions options = new ChromeOptions();
options.addArguments("--start-maximized");
WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver(options);

This runs Chrome without opening a window, useful for running tests on servers.

Selenium Java

ChromeOptions options = new ChromeOptions();
options.addArguments("--headless");
WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver(options);

This disables browser notifications so they don't interrupt tests.

Selenium Java

ChromeOptions options = new ChromeOptions();
options.addArguments("--disable-notifications");
WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver(options);

Sample Program

This test opens Chrome maximized and disables notifications. It navigates to example.com, prints the page title, then closes the browser.

Selenium Java

import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeOptions;

public class ChromeOptionsTest {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        ChromeOptions options = new ChromeOptions();
        options.addArguments("--start-maximized");
        options.addArguments("--disable-notifications");

        WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver(options);
        driver.get("https://www.example.com");

        String title = driver.getTitle();
        System.out.println("Page title is: " + title);

        driver.quit();
    }
}

Important Notes

Make sure ChromeDriver version matches your installed Chrome browser version.

Use --headless=new for the latest headless mode in recent Chrome versions.

You can add multiple arguments by calling addArguments multiple times or passing a list.

Summary

ChromeOptions lets you customize Chrome browser behavior for tests.

Use addArguments to add settings like start maximized or headless mode.

Pass ChromeOptions to ChromeDriver to apply these settings when launching the browser.