How to Install Cypress using CYPRESS_INSTALL_BINARY

Cypress_Install_Binary helps enable faster setup, offline installations, specific version usage, etc., by allowing you to specify the source of the binary package.

Overview

What is Cypress_Install_Binary

Cypress_Install_Binary is an environment variable used when Cypress is installed to specify the location of the Cypress binary.

Benefits of Cypress_Install_Binary

Custom Installation Sources
Reduced Installation Time
Flexibility in Version Management

This article discusses in detail on how to use Cypress_install_binary, along with its usage and features.

What is Cypress_Install_Binary?

Cypress_Install_Binary is an environment variable used during the installation of Cypress to specify the location of the Cypress binary.
By default, when Cypress is installed via npm or yarn, it downloads the binary from the official Cypress CDN.

However, by using “Cypress_Install_Binary”, the customization of the process can be done by pointing to a local or alternative binary source.

This variable is used to avoid downloading binary due to network restrictions or when some specific Cypress version is needed, which may not be available through the default installation method.

When to use Cypress_Install_Binary?

There are several use cases where using Cypress_Install_Binary can be useful, such as:

1. Default Installation Failure

If the standard “npm_install_cypress” command fails due to network issues or restrictions, then a local path can be specified to a pre-downloaded binary.

2. Bypassing Corporate Firewalls

If there are issues while installing Cypress through the standard “npm_install_cypress” command due to a firewall, then “cypress_install_binary” can be used as an external URL to host the Cypress binary.

Example:

CYPRESS_INSTALL_BINARY=https://company.domain.com/cypress.zip npm install cypress

3. Local Installation from Pre-Downloaded Binary

If Cypress binary is already installed in the system, then “cypress_install_binary” can be used to point out the file instead of downloading it again. This is particularly useful in CI/CD environments where minimizing download times is critical.

CYPRESS_INSTALL_BINARY=/local/path/to/cypress.zip npm install cypress

How to Install Cypress with CYPRESS_INSTALL_BINARY?

To install “cypress_install_binary”, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Download the Cypress Binary

First, download the desired version of Cypress from the official site and save it locally.

Step 2: Open Terminal

Access the command line interface (CLI).

Step 3: Redirect to the Project Directory

Use the “cd” command to change to your project directory.

Example: cd /path/to/your/project/directory

Step 4: Set cypress_install_binary and Install

Setting the CYPRESS_INSTALL_BINARY environment variable sees to it that Cypress uses the specified binary during installation. Thus, it simplifies the setup process for custom or offline installations.

For Mac:

CYPRESS_INSTALL_BINARY=/path/to/cypress.zip npm install cypress --save-dev

For Windows:

set CYPRESS_INSTALL_BINARY=C:\path\to\cypress.zip

npm install cypress --save-dev

Step 5: Verify the Installation

After installation, verify that Cypress is installed correctly by running:

npx cypress open

How do you make Cypress Skip Installing the Binary Application?

In some cases, it may be necessary to skip installing the Cypress binary altogether. This can be useful in CI environments where tests are not executed during every build.

If the CI pipeline does not run any Cypress tests during certain builds, skipping the installation can save time and resources.

Here are the steps to be followed for skipping installation:

Step 1: Open Terminal

Step 2: Redirect to the Project Directory by using “cd” before.

Step 3: Set CYPRESS_INSTALL_BINARY to 0 and Install.

CYPRESS_INSTALL_BINARY=0 npm install cypress --save-dev

Advantages of Using CYPRESS_INSTALL_BINARY

Listed down are some advantages of CYPRESS_INSTALL_BINARY that make it a powerful option:

Custom Installation Sources: “CYPRESS_INSTALL_BINARY” allows developers to specify custom sources for the Cypress binary, such as local files or URLs.
Reduced Installation Time: By using a pre-downloaded binary, especially in continuous integration (CI) environments, the installation time can be reduced.
Flexibility in Version Management: Developers can easily manage different versions of Cypress by specifying the desired version through “CYPRESS_INSTALL_BINARY”.

Limitations of CYPRESS_INSTALL_BINARY

Here are some drawbacks of CYPRESS_INSTALL_BINARY that you need to keep in mind:

Manual Management Required: Developers must manually ensure that the correct version of the binary is downloaded and managed.
Potential Compatibility Issues: Using a custom binary might lead to compatibility issues if the specified version does not match the expected dependencies or if there are breaking changes in newer versions.

Why run Cypress Tests on BrowserStack Automate?

BrowserStack Automate provides a powerful and efficient solution for developers and testers looking to enhance their testing capabilities.

Talk to an Expert

Here are several reasons to consider using BrowserStack for your Cypress testing needs:

Key Features of BrowserStack Automate

Seamless Integration with Cypress: The BrowserStack SDK allows for easy integration with your existing Cypress test suites. It helps in setting up environment without any code changes.
Access to Real Devices and Browsers: It offers a real-device cloud that provides instant access to over 3500+ real desktop and mobile devices, including the latest iOS and Android models.
Parallel Test Execution: Hundred of tests can be run parallely, to reduce the overall execution time of your test suite. This feature helps accelerate your release cycles by enabling faster feedback on code changes.
Efficient Debugging Tools: Each test run captures detailed logs, including screenshots, video recordings, and network logs.

Best Practices for Using Cypress_Install_Binary

To maximize efficiency while using “cypress_install_binary”, follow these practices:

Keep Binaries Updated: Regularly update your local binaries to match new releases and features.
Use this approach in CI/CD Wisely: Only skip installations when necessary; ensure that tests run as expected in all environments.
Maintain a Local Cache: To speed up installations, consider maintaining a local cache of the Cypress binaries using “cypress_cache_folder” as an environment variable.

Conclusion

The “CYPRESS_INSTALL_BINARY” environment variable is a powerful tool for managing how Cypress is installed in your projects. By understanding its functionality and applying best practices, developers can streamline their testing processes while maintaining flexibility and control over their testing environments.

Also, by using BrowserStack Automate, you can run Cypress tests within a testing infrastructure that improves efficiency, reliability, and security.

Try BrowserStack Automate Now

Useful Resources for Cypress

Understanding Cypress

Use Cases

Tool Comparisons

Automation Tests on Real Devices & Browsers

Seamlessly Run Automation Tests on 3500+ real Devices & Browsers

How to Install Cypress using CYPRESS_INSTALL_BINARY