How to Use the Command 'pageres' (with Examples)

Pageres is a powerful command-line tool designed to capture screenshots of websites in various resolutions. It is particularly useful for developers and designers who need to test and display how websites render across different devices and screen sizes. One of Pageres’ key strengths is its flexibility, allowing users to customize the output through a range of options such as specifying element selectors or customizing filenames. Below are several practical use cases that demonstrate the versatility of this tool.

Use Case 1: Take Multiple Screenshots of Multiple URLs at Different Resolutions

Code:

pageres https://example.com/ https://example2.com/ 1366x768 1600x900  

Motivation:

This use case is vital for web developers and designers who need to ensure that their websites maintain visual integrity and functionality across various devices and screen sizes. By capturing screenshots at multiple resolutions, developers can quickly identify design issues or inconsistencies in responsive layouts.

Explanation:

• pageres: This is the command-line tool being used to capture screenshots.
• https://example.com/ https://example2.com/: These are the URLs of the websites from which screenshots will be captured. Multiple URLs can be specified to take screenshots of several websites at once.
• 1366x768 1600x900: These are the resolutions at which screenshots will be taken. The command will capture a screenshot for each combination of URL and resolution provided.

Example output:

Output consists of several image files, named according to the URL and resolution, such as:

• example.com-1366x768.png
• example.com-1600x900.png
• example2.com-1366x768.png
• example2.com-1600x900.png

Use Case 2: Provide Specific Options for a URL, Overriding Global Options

Code:

pageres [https://example.com/ 1366x768 --no-crop] [https://example2.com/ 1024x768] --crop

Motivation:

Sometimes you may want different settings for specific URLs. This use case is beneficial when a particular website has design elements that do not fit well with a general configuration. For instance, a site might have important content that stretches beyond the standard viewport, which might necessitate different cropping settings.

Explanation:

• [https://example.com/ 1366x768 --no-crop]: This is a specific command set to capture a screenshot of https://example.com/ at the resolution 1366x768 without cropping.
• [https://example2.com/ 1024x768]: This captures a screenshot of https://example2.com/ at the resolution 1024x768. It inherits the global crop setting.
• --crop: This is the global option that will crop the screenshots by default unless overridden by specific URL options.

Example output:

You will get two image files:

• example.com-1366x768.png (not cropped)
• example2.com-1024x768.png (cropped)

Use Case 3: Provide a Custom Filename Template

Code:

pageres https://example.com/ 1024x768 --filename='<%= date %> - <%= url %>'

Motivation:

Customizing filenames can be crucial for organizing screenshots effectively, especially when dealing with large volumes. A meaningful filename can help in keeping track of the timeline of changes and makes it easier to correlate screenshots with different versions or updates of the website.

Explanation:

• https://example.com/ 1024x768: Captures a screenshot of this URL at the specified resolution.
• --filename='<%= date %> - <%= url %>': This option sets the filename format. <%= date %> inserts the current date, and <%= url %> includes the URL of the screenshot, making filenames descriptive and organized.

Example output:

Screenshot file with a name like:

• 2023-10-10 - example.com.png

Use Case 4: Capture a Specific Element on a Page

Code:

pageres https://example.com/ 1366x768 --selector='.page-header'

Motivation:

Capturing only specific elements is essential when you want to focus on particular parts of a webpage, such as a header, footer, or any specific content area without needing the entire page. This feature helps in scrutinizing design and functionality changes in targeted sections of the website.

Explanation:

• https://example.com/ 1366x768: Specifies the URL and resolution for the screenshot.
• --selector='.page-header': Limits the capture to only this CSS selector, allowing for a more focused and precise screenshot of specific content on the page.

Example output:

Screenshot file, perhaps named example.com-1366x768.png, containing only the .page-header element.

Use Case 5: Hide a Specific Element

Code:

pageres https://example.com/ 1366x768 --hide='.page-header'

Motivation:

Sometimes you might need to take a screenshot of a webpage without displaying certain elements, such as ads, banners, or navigation menus that might obscure relevant parts of a page. This use case allows for cleaner screenshots without unnecessary clutter.

Explanation:

• https://example.com/ 1366x768: Specifies the URL and resolution for the screenshot.
• --hide='.page-header': Hides the element specified by this CSS selector before taking the screenshot, keeping it out of the final image.

Example output:

Screenshot file, such as example.com-1366x768.png, where the .page-header element is not visible.

Use Case 6: Capture a Screenshot of a Local File

Code:

pageres local_file_path.html 1366x768

Motivation:

Testing and capturing screenshots of local HTML files can be essential during the development process, enabling developers to work offline without needing a web hosting service. It’s helpful for documenting progress and reviewing the visual layout without deploying the site online.

Explanation:

• local_file_path.html: The path to the local HTML file you want to capture. This allows you to screenshot local pages just like any public webpage.
• 1366x768: The resolution for the screenshot.

Example output:

Screenshot of the local HTML file, for instance, local_file_path-1366x768.png.

Conclusion:

Pageres is an invaluable tool for anyone needing to capture crisp, precise screenshots of websites or local HTML files in various scenarios. Its flexibility in setting resolutions, customizing filenames, focusing or hiding specific elements, and capturing local files makes it an essential utility for both web developers and designers. Using Pageres, you can streamline your workflow, ensuring your web projects are efficiently and effectively evaluated across multiple viewing environments.