Workspace Weekly: Automating Desktop Connectors on Linux with Playwright

June 10, 2025

This week’s Workspace Weekly highlights an experimental proof of concept built with Microsoft Playwright on Linux to automate desktop connectors.

In this case study, a Citrix StoreFront flow was scripted, but the real takeaway is how straightforward it is to capture any web-based login sequence, turn it into a reusable script, and run it as a Login Enterprise Virtual User.

Why Linux + Playwright Unlocks Endless Possibilities

By combining Playwright’s powerful browser-automation with Linux Launchers, you can record almost any connection workflow: Citrix, Microsoft portals, Omnissa, SaaS applications or internal dashboards, and turn it into a scalable, maintainable test.

There is no Windows licensing required, and you can leverage existing Linux servers, VMs, or thin clients to run parallel tests on a massive scale. Which opens the door to unlimited connector scenarios and performance checks in your environment.

A Peek into What Was Created

• Setup of Playwright alongside the Login Enterprise Launcher on a Linux host.
• Execution of the Playwright recorder to capture the login and launch steps in Chromium.
• Transformation of that recording into a Node.js script accepting command-line flags for domain, username, password and resource.
• Deployment of the script via Login Enterprise, which supplied the parameters and ran it on the Linux launcher.

Proof of Concept Example: Citrix StoreFront

Figure 1: The connector spins up a new session on the Linux launcher via Login Enterprise, completely driven by command-line parameters.

Benefits of a Linux Launcher-Playwright Approach

• Speed – Capture and script your first connector in minutes, not hours.
• Scalability – Deploy the same script to dozens of Linux launchers for parallel load tests, production health checks, or global CI/CD validation.
• Versatility – Automate connections to Citrix brokers, Microsoft portals, Omnissa, custom SaaS apps or internal dashboards = multi-factor flows included.
• Maintainability – Change URL, credentials or resources via simple flags at runtime, automatically supplied by Login Enterprise.
• Cost-Effectiveness – Leverage existing Linux infrastructure, no extra Windows licenses required, and your thin or zero clients can double as test endpoints, even in an office!

Think of the Possibilities

• Automated Performance Testing – Schedule nightly runs that log into every published desktop and measure login times.
• CI/CD Integration – Trigger connector tests on every commit to catch issues early.
• Distributed Lab Environments – Use Linux-based thin clients to test global VDI deployments without Windows overhead.
• Rapid Prototyping – Spin up a brand-new connector for any web flow in under 10 minutes using Playwright record + play.
• Automated Load Testing – Run hundreds of simultaneous connector scripts across multiple launchers to stress-test your environment.
• Production Health Checks – Schedule periodic runs to verify new golden images before they reach users.

This method extends Login Enterprise testing to any target environment, without limits. This proof of concept showcases the power and flexibility of Linux-based Playwright connectors.

We’d love to share the approach, scripts and tips for getting started. If you’re curious to explore the possibilities, please reach out, and stay tuned for next week’s Workspace Weekly!