![\"Chrome\"](\"https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/extension-js/media@db5deb23fbfa85530f8146718812972998e13a4d/browser_logos/svg/chrome.svg\")
\n\n- By default checks only `stable`. Optionally can cascade to `beta` / `dev` / `canary`.\n- Supports macOS / Windows / Linux\n- Works both as an ES module or CommonJS\n\n## Installation\n\n```bash\nnpm i chrome-location2\n```\n\n## Usage\n\n**Via Node.js (strict by default):**\n\n```js\nimport chromeLocation from 'chrome-location2'\n\n// Strict (Stable only)\nconsole.log(chromeLocation())\n// => \"/Applications/Google Chrome.app/Contents/MacOS/Google Chrome\" or null\n\n// Enable fallback (Stable / Beta / Dev / Canary; includes Chromium on macOS/Windows; Chromium/Chromium-browser on Linux)\nconsole.log(chromeLocation(true))\n// => first found among Stable/Beta/Dev/Canary (or Chromium) or null\n\n// Throw with an install guide when not found (path-only resolution; never executes the browser)\nimport {locateChromeOrExplain, getInstallGuidance, getChromeVersion} from 'chrome-location2'\ntry {\n const path = locateChromeOrExplain({allowFallback: true})\n console.log(path)\n\n // Cross-platform version (no exec by default)\n const v = getChromeVersion(path)\n console.log(v) // e.g. \"120.0.6099.109\" or null\n\n // Opt-in: allow executing the binary to fetch version on platforms without metadata (e.g. Linux)\n const v2 = getChromeVersion(path, {allowExec: true})\n console.log(v2)\n} catch (e) {\n console.error(String(e))\n // Or print getInstallGuidance() explicitly\n}\n```\n\n**CommonJS:**\n\n```js\nconst api = require('chrome-location2')\nconst locateChrome = api.default || api\n```\n\n**Via CLI:**\n\n```bash\nnpx chrome-location2\n# Strict (Stable only)\n\nnpx chrome-location2 --fallback\n# Enable cascade (Stable / Beta / Dev / Canary)\n\n# Short flag\nnpx chrome-location2 -f\n\n# Respect environment overrides\nCHROME_FOR_TESTING_PATH=/custom/path/to/chrome npx chrome-location2\n\n# Print Chrome version instead of path (no exec by default)\nnpx chrome-location2 --chrome-version\n\n# Allow executing the binary if metadata is unavailable (mainly Linux)\nnpx chrome-location2 --chrome-version --allow-exec\n```\n\nExit behavior:\n\n- Prints the resolved path on success\n- Exits with code 1 and prints a guidance message if nothing suitable is found\n- When `--chrome-version` is used: prints version or exits with code 2 if not determinable without exec and `--allow-exec` was not provided\n\nNotes:\n\n- Output is colorized when printed to a TTY (green success, red error)\n- After you run `npx @puppeteer/browsers install chrome@stable` once, we auto-detect Chrome for Testing from Puppeteer's cache on all platforms. No env vars needed.\n\n### When nothing is found\n\nWhen nothing is found, the helper throws with this message:\n\n```\nWe couldn't find a Chrome/Chromium browser on this machine.\n\nTo install one:\n\n1) Install Chrome for Testing (recommended)\n npx @puppeteer/browsers install chrome@stable\n\nRe-run your command afterward and it will be detected automatically.\n\nAlternatively, install Chromium via your system's package manager and re-run.\n```\n\n## Support table\n\nBy default, only the Stable channel is checked. When fallback is enabled, Beta, Dev, and Canary (plus Chromium where applicable) are also checked (in that order) and the first existing path is returned.\n\nDefault locations checked per platform and channel
\n\n| Platform | \nChannel | \nPaths checked | \n
|---|---|---|
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/extension-js/media@db5deb23fbfa85530f8146718812972998e13a4d/platform_logos/macos.png\") macOS | \n Chrome (Stable) | \n\n
| \n
| Chrome Beta | \n\n
| \n |
| Chrome Dev | \n\n
| \n |
| Chrome Canary | \n\n
| \n |
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/extension-js/media@db5deb23fbfa85530f8146718812972998e13a4d/platform_logos/windows.png\") Windows | \n Chrome (Stable) | \n\n
| \n
| Chrome Beta | \n\n
| \n |
| Chrome Dev | \n\n
| \n |
| Chrome Canary | \n\n
| \n |
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/extension-js/media@db5deb23fbfa85530f8146718812972998e13a4d/platform_logos/linux.png\") Linux/other | \n Chrome (Stable) | \n\n
| \n
| Chrome Beta | \n\n
| \n |
| Chrome Unstable | \n\n
| \n |
| Chromium | \n\n
| \n