cli
QA Wolf CLI is a terminal tool for running end-to-end test automation flows locally or in CI/CD pipelines. It integrates with the QA Wolf platform for flow creation and cloud execution but can also run flows standalone after local setup.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | qawolf/cli |
| Owner | qawolf |
| Primary language | TypeScript |
| License | Apache-2.0 — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 3.4k |
| Forks | 139 |
| Open issues | 4 |
| Latest release | v1.1.0 (2026-07-01) |
| Last updated | 2026-07-07 |
| Source | https://github.com/qawolf/cli |
What cli is
TypeScript-based CLI for executing Playwright-driven E2E test flows defined in `.flow.ts` format. Supports local execution via npm/yarn/pnpm or standalone binaries (Linux/macOS/Windows); Node 20.19+ required for npm installation. Integrates with QA Wolf platform API for authentication, flow syncing, and run management.
Get the cli source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/qawolf/cli.gitcd cli# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- Ensure Node 20.19+ (preferably 22+) is available; standalone binaries available for environments without Node.js.
- Require QA Wolf platform account and API key (`QAWOLF_API_KEY` env var) for most workflows; set up in CI using secrets.
- Flows are stored in `.qawolf/<env>` cache and synced via `qawolf flows pull`; design CI to manage cache invalidation and dependency installation.
- Standalone flows created with `qawolf init` work offline; platform-synced flows require network access for initial pull.
- Browser runtime dependencies installed via `qawolf install` (Playwright browsers); ensure CI agent has disk space and network access.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- No QA Wolf Platform Account Required But Limited Solo Use — While `qawolf init` allows local-only projects, most features (flow creation, AI generation, team collaboration, cloud execution) require a QA Wolf platform account at qawolf.com.
- Not a Unit/Integration Test Runner — This is strictly for E2E browser automation via Playwright; if you need unit or API testing frameworks, this is not the tool.
- Node 20 EOL (April 2026) — Upgrade Path Risk — Node 20 reached end-of-life in April 2026; the CLI still supports it but only for legacy environments. New projects should use Node 22+.
- Vendor Lock-In Considerations — Core feature set (flow creation, AI generation, team collaboration, managed cloud execution) lives in the proprietary QA Wolf platform; flows are not easily portable to other frameworks.
License & commercial use
Apache-2.0 license. Permissive, OSI-approved license allowing commercial use, modification, and distribution with attribution and liability disclaimer.
Apache-2.0 is a permissive license; commercial use of the CLI itself is permitted. However, most valuable platform features (flow generation, cloud execution, team collaboration) are part of the proprietary QA Wolf platform, which has its own commercial terms. Verify QA Wolf platform licensing separately.
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active |
| Documentation | Strong |
| License clarity | Clear |
| Deployment complexity | Low |
| DEV.co fit | Strong |
| Assessment confidence | High |
API key (`QAWOLF_API_KEY`) required for platform integration; must be stored securely as a CI secret. Vulnerability reporting process documented in SECURITY.md. No explicit security audit or threat model provided; assess based on your risk profile and the proprietary platform's security posture (outside this CLI repo).
Alternatives to consider
Playwright Test (native)
Direct Playwright test runner; lower lock-in, no platform dependency, but requires manual test authoring and no built-in cloud execution or AI generation.
Cypress CLI
Popular E2E runner with CI support and lower vendor lock-in. Does not include AI-powered test generation or cloud execution.
Testcafe CLI
Browser automation CLI with good CI/CD support. No platform-integrated flow generation or cloud execution; less opinionated than QA Wolf.
Build on cli with DEV.co software developers
Evaluate QA Wolf CLI for your team's test infrastructure. Start with a free platform account at qawolf.com or run `npx @qawolf/cli --help` to explore locally.
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cli FAQ
Can I run QA Wolf flows without a platform account?
What Node.js versions are supported?
How do I authenticate in CI?
Are flows portable to other test frameworks?
Software development & web development with DEV.co
DEV.co helps companies turn open-source tools like cli into production software. Our software development services cover the full lifecycle — architecture, web development, integration, and maintenance — delivered by software developers and web developers who ship. Engage our software development agency to implement or customize it for your open-source testing stack.
Ready to automate E2E testing?
Evaluate QA Wolf CLI for your team's test infrastructure. Start with a free platform account at qawolf.com or run `npx @qawolf/cli --help` to explore locally.