We’re thrilled to announce that Cypress now supports automating Firefox using the new WebDriver BiDi protocol! This milestone, released in Cypress 14.1.0, reflects our ongoing commitment to staying ahead with the latest browser versions in the testing industry.
What Is WebDriver BiDi?
WebDriver BiDi (Bidirectional) is an emerging, cross-browser automation protocol that combines the best aspects of WebDriver Classic and the Chrome DevTools Protocol (CDP). With bi-directional communication built-in, it delivers fast, efficient interactions and provides low-level control over browser automation.
Why the Change?
Historically, Cypress used CDP to automate Firefox. However, starting with Firefox 129, CDP was deprecated in Firefox. In Firefox 135 and above, Cypress now defaults to using WebDriver BiDi. This change not only aligns us with Firefox’s future direction but also underscores our commitment to leveraging the most modern and capable testing protocols.
This release is a result of close collaboration with the Firefox team. Their dedicated work to implement WebDriver BiDi, alongside Cypress’s team efforts to expand support across our API, has made it possible to deliver comprehensive automation capabilities for Firefox.
Transition Plan
Although WebDriver BiDi is our default for Firefox in Cypress 14.1.0, you can still opt to use CDP by setting the FORCE_FIREFOX_CDP=1 environment variable. Note that support for CDP in Firefox is planned for removal in Cypress 15.
What’s Next for Cypress?
Our transition to WebDriver BiDi in Firefox is just the beginning. We’re committed to continuing our close work with browser vendors and the testing community to ensure Cypress remains at the forefront of automation technology. Expect further enhancements and updates as we refine our support for WebDriver BiDi and expand its capabilities across more browsers.
Thank you for being a part of the Cypress community. We’re excited to see how you leverage these new capabilities in your testing workflows.