Remote Runners

Remote Runners

Run tests on remote machines by deploying runners that connect back to your Lastest server via HTTP polling.

Architecture

How it works: The Lastest server queues test commands into SQLite (runner_commands table). Remote runners poll POST /api/ws/runner every 3-5 seconds, claim pending commands, execute them with Playwright, and upload screenshots + results back over the same channel. Authentication uses Bearer tokens (SHA256 hashed in DB).

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Setup

1. Register a runner in Settings > Runners
2. Copy the token (shown only once)

3. Install and run on your target machine:

   :::bash

   Install from npm

   npm install -g @lastest/runner

   Start as daemon

   lastest-runner start -t YOUR_TOKEN -s https://your-lastest-server

   Or run in foreground

   lastest-runner run -t YOUR_TOKEN -s https://your-lastest-server

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Runner CLI

lastest-runner start -t <token> -s <server-url>  # Start as background daemon
lastest-runner stop                               # Stop the daemon
lastest-runner status                             # Show runner status
lastest-runner log [-f] [-n <lines>]              # View logs (-f to follow)
lastest-runner run -t <token> -s <server-url>     # Run in foreground

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Capabilities

Capability	Description
Run	Execute tests remotely
Record	Record new tests on remote machines
Parallel	Configurable max parallel tests per runner
System Info	Automatic OS, architecture, memory, and CPU reporting

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Runner v2 Features

• Concurrent multi-task support -- run multiple tests simultaneously
• SHA256 code integrity verification -- ensures test code hasn't been tampered with
• Remote recording -- record tests on remote machines
• Heartbeat polling with command queuing -- reliable connection management
• Per-test abort support -- cancel individual tests without affecting others

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Configuration

Runner config is stored in ~/.lastest/:

• runner.pid -- daemon process ID
• runner.log -- runner log file
• runner.config.json -- saved configuration

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Managing Runners

In the Lastest UI (Settings > Runners, admin only):

• Register new runners
• View connected runners and their status
• See system info (OS, CPU, memory)
• Configure parallel execution limits
• Remove runners