Release notes for 19.9.0b1

Author: aaltat

docs/releasenotes/Browser-19.9.0b1.rst

@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+========================
+Browser library 19.9.0b1
+========================
+
+
+.. default-role:: code
+
+
+Browser_ is a web testing library for `Robot Framework`_ that utilizes
+the Playwright_ tool internally. Browser library 19.9.0b1 is a new release with
+enhancements for distributing NodeJS dependencies as part of the wheel
+BrowserBatteries wheel. Because of this, there is changes to packaging and
+releasing. Other enhancements and fixes are listed below. All issues targeted
+for Browser library v19.9.0 can be found from the `issue tracker`_.
+For first time installation with pip_ and BrowserBatteries just run
+::
+   pip install robotframework-browser robotframework-browser-batteries
+   rfbrowser install
+to install the latest available release. If you upgrading
+from previous release with pip_, run
+::
+   pip install --upgrade robotframework-browser robotframework-browser-batteries
+   rfbrowser clean-node
+   rfbrowser install
+For first time installation with pip_ with Browser library only, just run
+::
+   pip install robotframework-browser
+   rfbrowser init
+If you upgrading from previous release with pip_, run
+::
+   pip install --upgrade robotframework-browser
+   rfbrowser clean-node
+   rfbrowser init
+Alternatively you can download the source distributions from PyPI_ and
+install it manually. Browser library and BrowserBatteries 19.9.0b1 was
+released on Sunday September 28, 2025. Browser and BrowserBatteries
+supports Python 3.9+, Node 20/22/24 LTS and Robot Framework 5.0+.
+Library was tested with Playwright 1.55.1
+
+.. _Robot Framework: http://robotframework.org
+.. _Browser: https://github.com/MarketSquare/robotframework-browser
+.. _Playwright: https://github.com/microsoft/playwright
+.. _pip: http://pip-installer.org
+.. _PyPI: https://pypi.python.org/pypi/robotframework-browser
+.. _issue tracker: https://github.com/MarketSquare/robotframework-browser/issues?q=state%3Aclosed%20milestone%3Av19.9.0
+
+
+.. contents::
+   :depth: 2
+   :local:
+
+Most important enhancements
+===========================
+
+Distribute NodeJS as part of the wheel (`#4303`_, beta 1)
+---------------------------------------------------------
+Because difficulties with installing NodeJS and npm dependencies, specially in corporate
+environments, NodeJS and the NodeJS dependencies are now distributed as part of the BrowserBatteries
+wheel. This makes the installation much easier and more reliable. Playwright browsers
+binaries are still distributed separately and need to be installed with `rfbrowser install`
+command. But if user has previously just used Browser library, user can now install
+BrowserBatteries and run `rfbrowser install` to get everything working and user does not
+need to install NodeJS separately.
+
+Please note that BrowserBatteries may not be available for all platforms and architectures.
+Also note that if user have extensions that require NodeJS or NodeJS dependencies, those
+need to be installed separately. If you have issues with BrowserBatteries, please
+open an issue to the `issue tracker`_ or use Slack #browser channel.
+
+Move rfbrowser coverage command to use Merge Coverage Reports internally (`#4383`_, beta 1)
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+The "rfbrowser coverage" command now uses "Merge Coverage Reports" keyword internally. This
+should not affect users, but it makes the implementation cleaner and more maintainable.
+
+Update grpcio and grpcio-tools to version 1.75.1 (`#4428`_, beta 1)
+-------------------------------------------------------------------
+Update grpcio and grpcio-tools to version 1.75.1 to address Python 3.14 support. This removes
+one blocker for Python 3.14 support, but we will wait for the official release of Python 3.14,
+before this projects supports it.
+
+Full list of fixes and enhancements
+===================================
+
+.. list-table::
+    :header-rows: 1
+
+    * - ID
+      - Type
+      - Priority
+      - Summary
+      - Added
+    * - `#4303`_
+      - enhancement
+      - critical
+      - Distribute NodeJS as part of the wheel
+      - beta 1
+    * - `#4383`_
+      - enhancement
+      - critical
+      - Move rfbrowser coverage command to use Merge Coverage Reports internally
+      - beta 1
+    * - `#4428`_
+      - bug
+      - high
+      - Update grpcio and grpcio-tools to version 1.75.1
+      - beta 1
+
+Altogether 3 issues. View on the `issue tracker <https://github.com/MarketSquare/robotframework-browser/issues?q=milestone%3Av19.9.0>`__.
+
+.. _#4303: https://github.com/MarketSquare/robotframework-browser/issues/4303
+.. _#4383: https://github.com/MarketSquare/robotframework-browser/issues/4383
+.. _#4428: https://github.com/MarketSquare/robotframework-browser/issues/4428