From 1169db06495a41aed146ede05b5f45487e3c2499 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Titus Fortner <titus.fortner@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2026 10:51:59 -0500
Subject: [PATCH] [docs] Add ADR: a static install method downloads the driver
 and browser

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 create mode 100644 docs/decisions/17704-install-driver-and-browser.md

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+# 17704. A static `install` method downloads the driver and browser
+
+- Status: Proposed
+- Discussion: https://github.com/SeleniumHQ/selenium/pull/17704
+
+## Context
+
+By default Selenium Manager doesn't execute until a driver session is being started, so the
+first session pays the download cost for any missing driver or browser, and a missing or
+offline binary isn't discovered until then.
+
+Warming the cache ahead of time is useful whenever that cost or failure should happen at a
+controlled point rather than on first use: provisioning a CI image, a test suite's setup
+step, or simply confirming a binary is available before relying on it. It can be done today,
+but only through the internal `DriverFinder` resolution API, which is shaped differently in
+each binding and not meant as public surface:
+
+| Binding    | Current way to trigger an early download |
+|------------|------------------------------------------|
+| Java       | `new DriverFinder(service, options).getBrowserPath()` |
+| Python     | `DriverFinder(service, options).get_browser_path()` |
+| Ruby       | `DriverFinder.new(options, service).browser_path` |
+| .NET       | `await new DriverFinder(options).GetBrowserPathAsync()` |
+| JavaScript | `driverFinder.getBinaryPaths(capabilities)` |
+
+This record proposes a convenient public method instead. It does not propose changing
+Selenium Manager behavior.
+
+## Decision
+
+Each binding adds a static `install`, idiomatic in spelling and async per language, on the
+classes whose binaries Selenium Manager can download:
+
+- **On the driver class** (e.g. `Chrome::Driver.install!`, `ChromeDriver.InstallAsync()`):
+  downloads the browser and its driver.
+- The driver-class method **accepts an optional options instance**, so a caller can target a
+  specific browser version or binary; environment variables alone can't express that.
+- **On the service class** (e.g. `Chrome::Service.install!`): downloads the driver.
+
+Calling it triggers Selenium Manager to download whatever is missing. Default behaviors apply
+and can be adjusted using existing defined environment variables for Selenium Manager (e.g.,
+`SE_FORCE_BROWSER_DOWNLOAD`, `SE_SKIP_BROWSER_IN_PATH`, and `SE_SKIP_DRIVER_IN_PATH`).
+
+Returning the resolved paths is a permitted implementation choice, but not the intent: the
+method exists for its side effect, a warmed cache, not for a value callers should depend on.
+
+The method exists only where Selenium Manager downloads the binaries; browsers that use a
+system driver or browser (Safari, IE) don't get it.
+
+## Considered options
+
+- **No public method (Rejected).** Leaves callers reaching into internal APIs.
+- **An instance method (Rejected).** Warming happens before a session exists; a static is
+  where users start one.
+- **Defaults only, no options instance (Rejected).** Environment variables can adjust
+  download behavior but can't select a specific browser version or binary.
+- **A single method on only the driver or only the service class (Rejected).** Each is the
+  natural entry point for the binaries it owns; offering only one makes a caller holding the
+  other construct it first.
+
+## Consequences
+
+- Provisioning binaries ahead of a session becomes a supported, one-call operation.