Add --network host to Playwright Docker containers for localhost access #7158

Copilot · 2025-12-21T18:55:31Z

Playwright MCP servers running in Docker containers couldn't access localhost services because containers are network-isolated by default. This blocked workflows like multi-device documentation testing from connecting to preview servers at localhost:4321.

Changes

Added --network host to Docker run args across all engine renderers:
- JSON format: renderPlaywrightMCPConfigWithOptions() in mcp-config.go
- TOML format: renderPlaywrightMCPConfigTOML() in mcp-config.go and renderPlaywrightTOML() in mcp_renderer.go

Example

Before:

docker run -i --rm --init mcr.microsoft.com/playwright/mcp

After:

docker run -i --rm --init --network host mcr.microsoft.com/playwright/mcp

This enables Playwright containers to reach host network services, allowing browser automation workflows to test locally-served applications.

Warning

Firewall rules blocked me from connecting to one or more addresses (expand for details)

I tried to connect to the following addresses, but was blocked by firewall rules:

https://api.github.com/user
- Triggering command: /usr/bin/gh gh api user --jq .login runs/20251221-191242-23690/test-1584857714/.github/workflows GOPROXY 0/x64/bin/node l GOWORK 64/pkg/tool/linu--show-toplevel /tmp/gh-aw-test-version vers�� 16/create_discussion.js 64/pkg/tool/linuGO111MODULE e/git l grep 64/bin/go e/git (http block)
- Triggering command: /usr/bin/gh gh api user --jq .login ithub/workflows -dwarf=false /usr/bin/gh go1.25.0 -c=4 -nolocalimports /usr/bin/gh api om/actions/checkout.git (http block)
- Triggering command: /usr/bin/gh gh api user --jq .login it/ref/tags/v5 -trimpath da76f48ef715b273c01bf20029c1a8136f4/log.json -p main -lang=go1.25 git 0/x6�� om/actions/create-github-app-token.git (http block)

If you need me to access, download, or install something from one of these locations, you can either:

Configure Actions setup steps to set up my environment, which run before the firewall is enabled
Add the appropriate URLs or hosts to the custom allowlist in this repository's Copilot coding agent settings (admins only)

Original prompt

This section details on the original issue you should resolve

<issue_title>🔍 Multi-Device Documentation Testing - Technical Limitation Report</issue_title>
<issue_description>## Summary

Triggered by: @pelikhan
Workflow Run: https://github.com/githubnext/gh-aw/actions/runs/20407814676
Date: 2025-12-21
Status: ⚠️ Unable to complete - Technical limitation

Build Status

✅ Documentation Build: Successfully completed

Generated 121 lab workflows

Built 68 pages with Mermaid diagrams

Created search index with Pagefind

All internal links validated

✅ Preview Server: Successfully started

Running at: `(redacted)

Server confirmed responsive via curl

Build artifacts ready for testing

Testing Plan

The comprehensive multi-device testing plan included:

Mobile Devices

iPhone 12 (390×844)

iPhone 12 Pro Max (428×926)

Pixel 5 (393×851)

Galaxy S21 (360×800)

Tablet Devices

iPad (768×1024)

iPad Pro 11 (834×1194)

iPad Pro 12.9 (1024×1366)

Desktop Devices

HD (1366×768)

FHD (1920×1080)

4K (2560×1440)

Test Coverage

For each device, the plan included:

✅ Layout responsiveness testing

✅ Navigation functionality

✅ Search feature testing

✅ Interactive element verification

✅ Accessibility audits

✅ Visual rendering checks

✅ Screenshot capture

Technical Limitation

❌ Playwright Network Isolation Issue

The Playwright MCP server cannot connect to localhost services:
Error: page.goto: net::ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED at (redacted)
Root Cause: The Playwright browser instance runs in a sandboxed environment that blocks access to localhost network services, even though:

The preview server is confirmed running (PID verified)

Server responds successfully to curl requests

Server is bound to 127.0.0.1:4321

Attempted Solutions:

✅ Server restart with explicit host binding

✅ Alternative localhost addresses (localhost, 127.0.0.1)

✅ Playwright viewport configuration

✅ Direct browser navigation and code execution

❌ All attempts resulted in ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED

Recommendations

Option 1: Deploy to Test Environment (Recommended)

Deploy the documentation to a publicly accessible URL (e.g., GitHub Pages preview, Netlify deploy preview) where Playwright can access it without localhost restrictions.

Option 2: Alternative Testing Tools

Consider using testing tools that support localhost access:

Puppeteer with custom launch options

Selenium WebDriver

Cypress (if it supports the testing requirements)

Option 3: Docker Network Bridge

Configure Playwright to run in a Docker container with proper network bridge configuration to access host services.

Option 4: Manual Testing

Perform manual testing across devices using:

Browser DevTools device emulation

Real device testing via BrowserStack/Sauce Labs

Responsive design testing tools

Files Generated

The documentation build generated:

dist/ - Static site ready for deployment (69 pages)

dist/pagefind/ - Search index

public/slides/ - Presentation slides

Multiple Mermaid diagrams rendered

Next Steps

Deploy preview: Set up a temporary deployment for testing

Rerun workflow: Execute multi-device tests against deployed URL

Document findings: Create comprehensive test report with screenshots

Fix issues: Address any responsive design or accessibility issues found

Technical Details

Environment:

Node.js build: ✅ Successful

Astro v5.15.9: ✅ Running

Preview server: ✅ Active (PID: 8402)

Playwright: ⚠️ Network isolation

Build Output:

Total pages: 68

Indexed words: 5,167

Build time: 18.84s

Link validation: ✅ All valid

Would you like me to:

Set up a GitHub Pages preview deployment?

Generate a manual testing checklist?

Explore alternative testing configurations?

AI generated by Multi-Device Docs Tester

Comments on the Issue (you are @copilot in this section)
@pelikhan /q fix playwright configuration issue

Fixes 🔍 Multi-Device Documentation Testing - Technical Limitation Report #7122

✨ Let Copilot coding agent set things up for you — coding agent works faster and does higher quality work when set up for your repo.

Co-authored-by: mnkiefer <8320933+mnkiefer@users.noreply.github.com>

github-actions · 2025-12-21T19:26:35Z

🤖 DIAGNOSTIC COMPLETE: Smoke Copilot No Firewall STATUS: ALL_UNITS_OPERATIONAL. MISSION_SUCCESS.

github-actions · 2025-12-21T19:26:36Z

📰 VERDICT: Smoke Copilot has concluded. All systems operational. This is a developing story. 🎤

github-actions · 2025-12-21T19:26:38Z

🎉 Yo ho ho! Changeset Generator found the treasure and completed successfully! ⚓💰

github-actions · 2025-12-21T19:26:38Z

🎬 THE END — Smoke Claude MISSION: ACCOMPLISHED! The hero saves the day! ✨

github-actions · 2025-12-21T19:26:39Z

✨ The prophecy is fulfilled... Smoke Codex has completed its mystical journey. The stars align. 🌟

github-actions · 2025-12-21T19:26:40Z

✅ Firewall validation complete... Smoke Codex Firewall confirmed network sandboxing is operational. 🛡️

github-actions · 2025-12-21T19:28:55Z

Smoke Test Results for Run 20414699417

Last 2 Merged PRs:

Comment out lock-for-agent annotation in compiled workflow files #7156: Comment out lock-for-agent annotation in compiled workflow files
Add short trigger syntax for labeled events with explicit item types #7153: Add short trigger syntax for labeled events with explicit item types

Test Results:

✅ GitHub MCP Testing (retrieved PR data)
✅ File Writing Testing (created /tmp/gh-aw/agent/smoke-test-copilot-20414699417.txt)
✅ Bash Tool Testing (verified file creation)
✅ GitHub MCP Default Toolset (confirmed get_me NOT available - expected 403)
✅ Cache Memory Testing (created /tmp/gh-aw/cache-memory/smoke-test-20414699417.txt)

Overall Status: PASS ✅

cc @pelikhan

📰 BREAKING: Report filed by Smoke Copilot fer issue #7158 🗺️

github-actions · 2025-12-21T19:29:10Z

Tests:

PRs: Comment out lock-for-agent annotation in compiled workflow files #7156 Comment out lock-for-agent annotation in compiled workflow files; Add short trigger syntax for labeled events with explicit item types #7153 Add short trigger syntax for labeled events with explicit item types
OpenAI curl: ✅ blocked (DNS)
GitHub MCP merged PRs fetch: ✅
File write/read /tmp/gh-aw/agent/smoke-test-codex-firewall-20414699429.txt: ✅
Blocked domain curl example.com: ✅ blocked (DNS)
Network: SANDBOXED
Overall: PASS

🔥 Firewall tested by Smoke Codex Firewall fer issue #7158 🗺️

github-actions · 2025-12-21T19:29:11Z

Smoke Test Results: Copilot (No Firewall)

Last 2 Merged PRs:

Comment out lock-for-agent annotation in compiled workflow files #7156: Comment out lock-for-agent annotation in compiled workflow files
[WIP] Add agent for parsing GitHub Actions trigger shorthand #7159: [WIP] Add agent for parsing GitHub Actions trigger shorthand

Test Results:

✅ GitHub MCP - Retrieved PR titles
✅ File Writing - Created test file successfully
✅ Bash Tool - Verified file content
✅ Playwright - GitHub page title contains "GitHub"
❌ Safe Input gh - No GITHUB_TOKEN in environment

Overall: PASS (4/5 tests successful)

🤖 DIAGNOSTIC REPORT GENERATED BY Smoke Copilot No Firewall fer issue #7158 🗺️

github-actions · 2025-12-21T19:29:54Z

Merged PRs: #7156 Comment out lock-for-agent annotation in compiled workflow files; #7151 Enhance Dev Hawk with deep PR analysis and automatic agent task creation
GitHub MCP check: ✅
Agent file write/read (/tmp/gh-aw/agent/...): ✅
Playwright title contains "GitHub": ✅
Cache memory file write/read: ✅
safeinputs-gh "gh issues list --limit 3": ❌ (command not found)
Overall: FAIL

🔮 The oracle has spoken through Smoke Codex fer issue #7158 🗺️

github-actions · 2025-12-21T19:29:54Z

Smoke Test Results - Claude Engine

Recent PRs:

Comment out lock-for-agent annotation in compiled workflow files #7156: Comment out lock-for-agent annotation in compiled workflow files
[WIP] Add agent for parsing GitHub Actions trigger shorthand #7159: [WIP] Add agent for parsing GitHub Actions trigger shorthand

Test Results:

✅ GitHub MCP: Retrieved 2 recent merged PRs
✅ File Writing: Created test file in /tmp/gh-aw/agent/
✅ Bash Tool: Verified file creation successful
✅ Playwright MCP: Navigated to github.com (title: "GitHub · Change is constant. GitHub keeps you ahead. · GitHub")
✅ Cache Memory: Created and verified test file in /tmp/gh-aw/cache-memory/
❌ Safe Input gh Tool: Tool not available in current environment

Overall Status: PASS (5/6 core tests passed)

💥 [THE END] — Illustrated by Smoke Claude fer issue #7158 🗺️

github-actions · 2025-12-21T19:31:37Z

🎉 Yo ho ho! Smoke Copilot Safe Inputs found the treasure and completed successfully! ⚓💰

github-actions · 2025-12-21T19:34:07Z

Smoke Test Results

✅ File Writing: Created /tmp/gh-aw/agent/smoke-test-copilot-20414699428.txt
✅ Bash Tool: Verified file content successfully
❌ Safe Input gh Tool: Tool safeinputs-gh not available in environment

Overall Status: FAIL

The safeinputs-gh tool is not available in the current environment.

Ahoy! This treasure was crafted by 🏴‍☠️ Smoke Copilot Safe Inputs fer issue #7158 🗺️

Initial plan

f71dc29

Copilot AI assigned Copilot and mnkiefer Dec 21, 2025

Copilot started work on behalf of mnkiefer December 21, 2025 18:56 View session

Copilot AI and others added 2 commits December 21, 2025 19:10

Add --network host to Playwright Docker container for localhost access

d0c0674

Co-authored-by: mnkiefer <8320933+mnkiefer@users.noreply.github.com>

Complete Playwright localhost access fix with validation

d36311a

Co-authored-by: mnkiefer <8320933+mnkiefer@users.noreply.github.com>

Copilot AI changed the title ~~[WIP] Report technical limitations in multi-device documentation testing~~ Add --network host to Playwright Docker containers for localhost access Dec 21, 2025

Copilot AI requested a review from mnkiefer December 21, 2025 19:20

Copilot finished work on behalf of mnkiefer December 21, 2025 19:20

pelikhan added the smoke label Dec 21, 2025

github-actions bot added the smoke-copilot label Dec 21, 2025

github-actions bot added smoke-codex-firewall smoke-copilot-no-firewall labels Dec 21, 2025

github-actions bot added the smoke-claude label Dec 21, 2025

pelikhan marked this pull request as ready for review December 21, 2025 19:43

pelikhan merged commit af88982 into main Dec 21, 2025
64 checks passed

pelikhan deleted the copilot/report-multi-device-testing-limitations branch December 21, 2025 19:43

mnkiefer added campaign:docs-quality-maintenance-project69 labels Jan 4, 2026

Add --network host to Playwright Docker containers for localhost access #7158

Add --network host to Playwright Docker containers for localhost access #7158

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Changes

Example

I tried to connect to the following addresses, but was blocked by firewall rules:

Build Status

Testing Plan

Mobile Devices

Tablet Devices

Desktop Devices

Test Coverage

Technical Limitation

Recommendations

Option 1: Deploy to Test Environment (Recommended)

Option 2: Alternative Testing Tools

Option 3: Docker Network Bridge

Option 4: Manual Testing

Files Generated

Next Steps

Technical Details

Comments on the Issue (you are @copilot in this section)

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Smoke Test Results for Run 20414699417

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Smoke Test Results: Copilot (No Firewall)

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Smoke Test Results - Claude Engine

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