# Checkly CLI 8: ESM-only, cancellable Playwright check runs, and recording by default | Checkly Changelog

> Checkly changelog: ESM-only and updated Node.js requirements, CTRL+C now cancels running Playwright Check Suites, --record now defaults to true

Source: https://www.checklyhq.com/changelog/checkly-cli-8/

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# Checkly CLI 8: ESM-only, cancellable Playwright check runs, and recording by default

Published May 27, 2026

## ESM-only and updated Node.js requirements

The Checkly CLI is now distributed as ESM only instead of CommonJS, and CLI 8 requires Node.js `^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0`. Make sure your local development, CI, and deployment environments run a compatible Node.js version before upgrading; your own projects can still use CommonJS. The CLI also switches its TypeScript loader from `ts-node` to `jiti`, which is now bundled as a direct dependency.

```
npm install checkly@latest
```

## CTRL+C now cancels running Playwright Check Suites

Pressing `CTRL+C` during `test`, `pw-test`, or `trigger` now cancels in-flight test sessions instead of leaving them running in the background. If you want the previous keep-running-in-the-cloud behavior, run in detached mode with `--detach` or `-d`.

## --record now defaults to true

The `test` and `trigger` commands now record results by default. To disable recording, pass `--no-record`; if your scripts relied on recording being off by default, update them before upgrading.

## Also shipped

- **Engines:** From CLI 8.1.0, Playwright Check Suites pick a compatible Node (22, 24, 26) or Bun (1.3) version from your project's version files, with an `engine` property to override detection.
- **.env files:** The CLI now automatically loads a `.env` file when present; set `CHECKLY_NO_DOTENV=1` to disable it.
- **Include patterns:** Playwright check `include` patterns now resolve relative to your Playwright config file's directory instead of the project root, matching Playwright's own behavior.
- **RCA:** `checkly rca run` now supports `--test-session-error-group` (`-te`) to trigger a Root Cause Analysis on Test Session Error Groups.