How to start WinAppDriver programmatically in the remote machine - automation

Question

My test setup consist of 2 windows machines, first one test runner which will have the my test code in c# and the second one test agent machine where winappdriver is installed along with application under test.
I would like to start the winappdriver in the test agent through the C# code and the code would run on the test runner. Also, I would like to close the winappdriver once test execution is over.
How this could be done? Appreciate any lead on this.

Answer 1

For Java specific projects: You can Do it in following ways-
Assumin WinAppDriver is installed in default location-i.e. C:/Program Files (x86)/Windows Application Driver
1st:
String command = "C:/Program Files (x86)/Windows Application Driver/WinAppDriver.exe";
Runtime.getRuntime().exec(command);
2nd:
String command = "C:/Program Files (x86)/Windows Application Driver/WinAppDriver.exe";
ProcessBuilder builder = new ProcessBuilder(command).inheritIO();
Process process = builder.start();
Dont forget to dispose it by-
winDriver.close();
winDriver.quit();
or for 2nd approach-
process.destroy();
Convert them as part of you init or BeforeTest Methods as needed.

Answer 2

You can use [BeforeTestRun] attribute in your Test initialize class. Assuming the winappdriver is installed in the same path in the test machines. I use it in my azure agents
[BeforeTestRun]
public static void TestSetup()
{
Process.Start(#"C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Application Driver\WinAppDriver.exe");
Process.Start(#"Your application Path");
}
After the test run, if you want to close the Winappdriver, you can use AfterTestRun Attribute. Basepage has the static instance of the WinappDriver
[AfterTestRun]
public static void TearDownReport()
{
BasePage.WindowsDriver.Close();
BasePage.WindowsDriver.Dispose();
}