Ui.Vision: Open Source RPA That Works Like Selenium IDE
If you've ever wished Selenium IDE could do more than just test websites — like actually automate repetitive browser tasks — Ui.Vision might be exactly what you're looking for. It's an open source RPA (Robotic Process Automation) tool that runs as a browser extension for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. And yes, it’s compatible with Selenium IDE scripts, so you’re not starting from scratch.
What It Does
Ui.Vision lets you record, replay, and automate browser-based workflows. Think form filling, data extraction, file downloads, and even cross-site automation. It uses a visual flow editor (like a flowchart) to define steps, but you can also write custom JavaScript or use Selenium IDE commands directly. The extension runs locally so no cloud dependency, and you can schedule tasks or trigger them via command line.
Under the hood, it’s built on the same core as Selenium IDE but extended for automation beyond testing. The GitHub repo has the full source code, a desktop application for managing complex workflows, and a CLI for headless execution.
Why It’s Cool
- Selenium IDE compatible. Import your existing .side files and run them as automation scripts. No rewriting needed.
- Visual flow editor. For people who prefer drag and drop over writing code. Still lets you drop into JavaScript when needed.
- Cross-browser. Chrome, Edge, Firefox — single extension that works across the big three.
- Headless mode. Run automations in the background without a visible browser. Useful for server side or scheduled tasks.
- Open source. MIT licensed, no vendor lock in. You can look at the code, fork it, or submit PRs.
- Local execution. No cloud accounts, no API keys, no subscription fees. It all runs on your machine.
Use cases range from simple data entry automation to scraping public sites, generating reports from web apps, or syncing data between online tools like CRM and spreadsheets.
How to Try It
- Visit the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons. Edge users can install the Chrome extension directly.
- Click the icon to open the Ui.Vision toolbar, then hit "Record" to start capturing your actions.
- After recording, replay it or edit steps in the visual flow editor.
- For headless or scheduled runs, check the GitHub repo’s CLI section.
If you’re coming from Selenium IDE, just import your .side file via the “Open” button. It should work with minimal tweaks.
Final Thoughts
Ui.Vision is a solid, no-nonsense RPA tool if you already live in the browser. It doesn’t try to be a full enterprise automation suite — it stays focused on what a browser extension can do well: automate web interactions. The Selenium IDE compatibility is a big win for developers who have test scripts lying around and want to repurpose them for real automation. The visual editor is a nice bonus for less technical teammates.
It’s not going to replace UiPath or Power Automate for complex desktop app integrations, but for browser based automation, it’s surprisingly capable, free, and open. Worth a look if you’re tired of paying for RPA tools that require a login just to scrape a table.
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