chromium
Launch the Chromium web browser
TLDR
Open a specific URL or file
Open in incognito mode
Open in a new window
Open in application mode (without toolbars, URL bar, buttons, etc.)
Use a proxy server
Open with a custom profile directory
Open without CORS validation (useful to test an API)
Open with a DevTools window for each tab opened
SYNOPSIS
chromium [options] [URL]...
PARAMETERS
--version
Display the version number and exit.
--help
Display help information.
[URL]
Open the specified URL(s) in new tabs.
--incognito
Launches Chromium in incognito mode.
--new-window
Opens each provided URL in a new window instead of a new tab.
--app=URL
Opens the specified URL as an application in a separate window (application mode).
--kiosk
Launches Chromium in kiosk mode (fullscreen, limited functionality).
--disable-extensions
Disables all installed extensions.
--user-data-dir=path
Specifies the directory where user data (profiles, settings, etc.) are stored.
DESCRIPTION
Chromium is an open-source web browser project that forms the basis for Google Chrome. It provides a core set of functionalities for browsing the web, including tab management, bookmarks, history, and rendering web pages.
When invoked from the command line, `chromium` starts a new Chromium browser instance. You can pass various command-line flags to control its behavior, such as opening specific URLs, disabling extensions, or setting debugging options.
It is frequently used by developers for testing and debugging web applications. Chromium allows fine-grained control over browser settings and is an excellent tool for automated testing and reproducing browser-specific issues. Command line usage can include automation with shell scripts. The open-source nature of Chromium encourages community development, providing an alternative to commercial web browsers.
CAVEATS
The specific command-line options available with `chromium` can vary depending on the Chromium version and build. Some options may be experimental or intended for developer use. The user-data-dir parameter is essential when using chromium to do isolated automation tests. In addition you need to configure the appropriate settings to avoid UI automation from failing due to missing configurations. Chrome and Chromium tend to have UI incompatibilities depending on the version.
DEBUGGING
Chromium provides extensive debugging capabilities through its built-in Developer Tools. You can access them by right-clicking on a web page and selecting 'Inspect' or by pressing F12. Chromium also support debugging extensions.
AUTOMATION
Chromium can be controlled programmatically using tools such as Puppeteer and Selenium. This enables automated testing, web scraping, and other tasks that require programmatic interaction with a web browser.
HISTORY
Chromium was first released in 2008. It serves as the open-source project behind Google Chrome. It was developed to provide a transparent and community-driven platform for browser development. Originally, it was focused on a modular design and HTML5 support. Over time, it has become a dominant force in web browsing and has evolved with the ever-changing demands of the web. Development continues actively with contributions from Google and the open-source community.
SEE ALSO
google-chrome(1), firefox(1)