lighthouse
google's automated web auditing tool
TLDR
SYNOPSIS
lighthouse url [options]
DESCRIPTION
lighthouse is Google's automated web auditing tool. Tests performance, accessibility, best practices, SEO, and progressive web app features. Generates detailed reports with improvement recommendations. Simulates mobile devices by default.Lighthouse requires a Chrome or Chromium installation which it launches to perform audits. The tool is also available built into Chrome DevTools and as a Node.js module for programmatic use in CI pipelines.
PARAMETERS
--output format
Output format (html, json, csv).--output-path file
Path to save report.--only-categories list
Categories to audit.--chrome-flags flags
Chrome launch flags.--preset preset
Audit preset (desktop, perf).--view
Open report in browser.--quiet
Suppress output.--port PORT
Port to use for the debugging protocol.--form-factor FACTOR
Emulate mobile or desktop (mobile|desktop).--save-assets
Save artifacts (screenshots, trace, devtoolslogs).--budget-path FILE
Path to a performance budget JSON file.--verbose
Enable verbose logging.
CAVEATS
Requires Node.js and a compatible Chrome/Chromium install. Results can vary between runs due to network conditions and system load; run multiple audits for stability. Mobile emulation is used by default unless --preset=desktop is specified.
HISTORY
Lighthouse was developed by Google and first released around 2016 as part of the Chrome DevTools ecosystem. Originally focused on Progressive Web Apps, it has grown into a comprehensive web quality auditing tool covering performance, accessibility, SEO, and best practices.
SEE ALSO
chromium(1), google-chrome(1), puppeteer(1)
