Chrome configuration in Selenium Python - Build an Automation Script

Configure Chrome browser to start maximized and disable notifications

Preconditions (2)

Step 1: Create a ChromeOptions object

Step 2: Add argument to start Chrome maximized

Step 3: Add argument to disable browser notifications

Step 4: Launch Chrome browser with these options

Step 5: Navigate to https://www.example.com

Step 6: Verify the browser window is maximized

Step 7: Verify no notification popups appear on the page

✅ Expected Result: Chrome browser opens maximized without showing any notification popups on https://www.example.com

Automation Requirements - Selenium with Python

Assertions Needed:

Verify browser window size matches screen size (maximized)

Verify no notification permission popup is present

Best Practices:

Use ChromeOptions to configure browser settings

Use explicit waits if needed

Use assertions from unittest or pytest

Close browser after test

Automated Solution

Selenium Python

from selenium import webdriver
from selenium.webdriver.chrome.service import Service
from selenium.webdriver.chrome.options import Options
import unittest

class TestChromeConfig(unittest.TestCase):
    def setUp(self):
        options = Options()
        options.add_argument('--start-maximized')
        options.add_argument('--disable-notifications')
        self.driver = webdriver.Chrome(options=options)

    def test_chrome_configuration(self):
        self.driver.get('https://www.example.com')

        # Verify window is maximized by comparing window size to screen size
        window_size = self.driver.get_window_size()
        screen_width = self.driver.execute_script('return screen.width')
        screen_height = self.driver.execute_script('return screen.height')

        self.assertEqual(window_size['width'], screen_width, 'Window width is not maximized')
        self.assertEqual(window_size['height'], screen_height, 'Window height is not maximized')

        # Verify no notification permission popup by checking absence of notification permission dialog
        # This is a simple check: no alert present
        try:
            alert = self.driver.switch_to.alert
            alert_text = alert.text
            self.fail(f'Unexpected alert present: {alert_text}')
        except Exception:
            # No alert present, pass
            pass

    def tearDown(self):
        self.driver.quit()

if __name__ == '__main__':
    unittest.main()

The setUp method creates a ChromeOptions object and adds two arguments: --start-maximized to open the browser maximized, and --disable-notifications to block notification popups.

The test navigates to https://www.example.com. It then checks the browser window size matches the screen size by running JavaScript to get screen width and height and comparing to the window size.

To verify no notification popup appears, it tries to switch to an alert. If an alert is present, the test fails. If no alert is found, it passes.

The tearDown method closes the browser after the test.

This structure uses unittest framework for clear setup, test, and cleanup phases.

Common Mistakes - 4 Pitfalls

Not using ChromeOptions to configure browser

Using hardcoded window size values to check maximization

Ignoring notification popups by not checking alerts

Not closing the browser after test

Bonus Challenge

Now add data-driven testing to launch Chrome with different sets of options: maximized only, disable notifications only, and both combined.

Show Hint

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using Options() in Selenium with Chrome?

easy

A. To locate elements on the web page

B. To handle exceptions during test execution

C. To write assertions for test validation

D. To customize Chrome browser settings before starting tests

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of Options()

   The Options() class in Selenium is used to set Chrome browser configurations like headless mode, window size, or disabling notifications before launching the browser.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from other Selenium features

   Locating elements, writing assertions, and handling exceptions are separate tasks unrelated to browser configuration.

3. Final Answer:

   To customize Chrome browser settings before starting tests -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Options() = Customize browser [OK]

Hint: Options() sets browser behavior before tests run [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Options() with element locators
• Thinking Options() handles test assertions
• Assuming Options() manages exceptions

2. Which of the following is the correct way to add headless mode to Chrome using Selenium in Python?

easy

A. options.add_argument('--headless')

B. options.set_headless(True)

C. options.add_argument('headless')

D. options.headless = True

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall correct syntax for headless argument

   In Selenium, Chrome headless mode is enabled by adding the argument '--headless' with two dashes.

2. Step 2: Check each option's correctness

   options.add_argument('headless') misses dashes, options.set_headless(True) and D are invalid methods or attributes for Chrome Options.

3. Final Answer:

   options.add_argument('--headless') -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Headless argument needs '--' prefix [OK]

Hint: Use '--headless' with add_argument() for headless mode [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting dashes in argument string
• Using non-existent methods like set_headless()
• Assigning headless attribute directly

3. What will be the effect of the following code snippet?

from selenium import webdriver
from selenium.webdriver.chrome.options import Options
options = Options()
options.add_argument('--incognito')
driver = webdriver.Chrome(options=options)
driver.get('https://example.com')

medium

A. Chrome opens in incognito mode and loads example.com

B. Chrome opens in normal mode and loads example.com

C. Chrome opens but fails to load example.com

D. Code raises a syntax error

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the use of add_argument('--incognito')

   The code adds the '--incognito' argument to Chrome options, which launches the browser in incognito mode.

2. Step 2: Confirm driver behavior

   The driver is created with these options and navigates to 'https://example.com' successfully without errors.

3. Final Answer:

   Chrome opens in incognito mode and loads example.com -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   --incognito argument = incognito mode [OK]

Hint: Adding '--incognito' opens Chrome in private mode [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming incognito disables page loading
• Thinking code causes syntax errors
• Confusing incognito with headless mode

4. Identify the error in this Selenium Chrome configuration code:

from selenium import webdriver
from selenium.webdriver.chrome.options import Options
options = Options()
options.add_argument('disable-notifications')
driver = webdriver.Chrome(options=options)

medium

A. No error, code runs fine

B. Missing double dashes in argument string

C. webdriver.Chrome() does not accept options parameter

D. Options() class is not imported correctly

Solution

1. Step 1: Check argument syntax for disabling notifications

   The argument to disable notifications must start with two dashes: '--disable-notifications'. The code misses these dashes.

2. Step 2: Verify other parts of the code

   Options() is imported correctly and webdriver.Chrome accepts options parameter, so no errors there.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing double dashes in argument string -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Arguments need '--' prefix [OK]

Hint: Always prefix Chrome arguments with '--' [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting dashes in argument strings
• Assuming options parameter is invalid
• Misimporting Options class

5. You want to run Chrome in headless mode and disable pop-up notifications during tests. Which code snippet correctly sets both options?

hard

A. options = Options()
options.headless = True
options.add_argument('disable-notifications')

B. options = Options()
options.add_argument('--headless')
options.add_argument('disable-notifications')

C. options = Options()
options.add_argument('--headless')
options.add_argument('--disable-notifications')

D. options = Options()
options.set_headless(True)
options.add_argument('--disable-notifications')

Solution

1. Step 1: Confirm correct syntax for headless and disabling notifications

   Both arguments must have double dashes: '--headless' and '--disable-notifications'. options = Options() options.add_argument('--headless') options.add_argument('--disable-notifications') uses both correctly.

2. Step 2: Check invalid methods or missing dashes in other options

   options = Options() options.add_argument('--headless') options.add_argument('disable-notifications') misses dashes for disable-notifications, options = Options() options.headless = True options.add_argument('disable-notifications') assigns headless attribute incorrectly, options = Options() options.set_headless(True) options.add_argument('--disable-notifications') uses non-existent set_headless() method.

3. Final Answer:

   options.add_argument('--headless') and options.add_argument('--disable-notifications') -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Use '--' prefix for all Chrome options [OK]

Hint: Use '--' before all Chrome option arguments [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Missing dashes in argument strings
• Using invalid methods like set_headless()
• Assigning headless as attribute instead of argument