Check your Edge version: edge://version
Download matching driver from: https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/tools/webdriver/
Extract msedgedriver.exe and either:
- Add its location to your PATH
- Set MSEDGEDRIVER_PATH environment variable
- Place it in your home directory (C:\Users\YourName\)

3. Install npm dependencies

cd client
npm install

4. Build the Tauri app

npm run tauri:build

The tests require a built binary. Debug builds also work:

cd src-tauri && cargo build

Running Tests

Run all native tests

npm run test:native

Build and test in one command

npm run test:native:build

macOS Native Testing (Appium mac2)

Tauri does not ship a macOS WebDriver server, so native macOS tests use Appium.

Prerequisites (macOS)

Install Appium 2:

npm install -g appium

Install the mac2 driver:

appium driver install mac2

Install Xcode and Command Line Tools, then accept the license:

sudo xcodebuild -license accept

If needed, point CLI tools to Xcode:

sudo xcode-select -s /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer

Enable Developer Mode (System Settings → Privacy & Security → Developer Mode).

You can also enable dev tools access via CLI:

sudo /usr/sbin/DevToolsSecurity -enable
sudo dseditgroup -o edit -a "$(whoami)" -t user _developer

Log out and back in after enabling Developer Mode.

Enable Automation Mode (required by XCTest UI automation):

sudo automationmodetool enable-automationmode-without-authentication

Approve the system prompt when it appears.

Grant Accessibility permissions:

Terminal (or your shell app)
Xcode Helper (/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/Library/Xcode/Agents/Xcode Helper.app)

Build the Tauri app bundle:

npm run tauri:build

Start Appium:

appium --base-path / --log-level error

Run macOS native tests

npm run test:native:mac

Test Structure

e2e-native/
├── fixtures.ts       # Test helpers and utilities
├── app.spec.ts       # Core app tests
├── screenshots/      # Failure screenshots
└── README.md         # This file

Writing Tests

Tests use WebdriverIO's Mocha framework:

import { waitForAppReady, navigateTo, invokeCommand } from './fixtures';

describe('Feature', () => {
  before(async () => {
    await waitForAppReady();
  });

  it('should do something', async () => {
    await navigateTo('/settings');

    // Direct Tauri IPC
    const result = await invokeCommand('get_preferences');
    expect(result).toBeDefined();
  });
});

Available Fixtures

Function	Description
`waitForAppReady()`	Wait for React app to mount
`navigateTo(path)`	Navigate to a route
`isTauriAvailable()`	Check if Tauri IPC works
`invokeCommand(cmd, args)`	Call Tauri command directly
`waitForLoadingComplete()`	Wait for spinners to clear
`clickButton(text)`	Click button by text
`fillInput(selector, value)`	Fill an input field
`waitForToast(pattern)`	Wait for toast notification
`takeScreenshot(name)`	Save screenshot

Comparison: Playwright vs WebdriverIO Native

Aspect	Playwright (e2e/)	WebdriverIO (e2e-native/)
Target	Web dev server	Built Tauri app
IPC	Mock adapter	Real Rust commands
Audio	Not available	Real device access
Speed	Fast	Slower (app launch)
CI	Easy	Needs Windows runner

Troubleshooting

"Tauri binary not found"

Build the app first:

npm run tauri:build

"Connection refused" on port 4444

Ensure tauri-driver is installed and no other WebDriver is running on port 4444.

"EPERM" or "Operation not permitted" on localhost ports

Grant Local Network access to your terminal (or the app running tests) in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network. Also check that no firewall or network filter blocks 127.0.0.1:4723.

Tests hang on Windows

Check Windows Firewall isn't blocking tauri-driver.exe.

WebView2 not found

Install Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime from: https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/webview2/