Google has released Lighthouse v13.1.0, a minor update focusing on web platform compatibility and enhanced tracing. This version, updated from v13.0.3 on April 7, 2026, brings valuable additions for performance and security testing. For a full list of changes, refer to the official changelog. Expect its integration into Chrome 149 DevTools and PageSpeed Insights within two weeks.

TL;DR

  • New Baseline Compatibility Audit now part of the default configuration.
  • Enhanced tracing with the addition of a WebDX feature usage category.
  • Reverted strict network request wrapping, improving stability.

Key Changes

New Audits & Features: The most significant addition is the Baseline Compatibility Audit. This new audit helps identify if web features used on a page are part of the Web Baseline, ensuring broader browser compatibility. It includes visual icons in the Lighthouse report and details the web-feature version in its description. This is crucial for QA engineers focusing on web standards and cross-browser testing. Additionally, a new WebDX feature usage trace category has been implemented. This provides deeper insights into how web platform features are being utilized, aiding in performance analysis and debugging.

Core Improvements: A notable change in the core is the reversion of strict wrapping for network requests. This adjustment aims to improve the stability and accuracy of network data collection during audits. Minor updates also include dependency upgrades and client-side build fixes.

Impact for QA Teams

QA engineers tracking performance tools will find Lighthouse v13.1.0 particularly useful for validating web standards compliance and gaining granular insights into feature usage. The Baseline Compatibility Audit directly supports efforts in ensuring broad web compatibility, a key aspect of modern web quality. For more on optimizing web performance, see our article on Lighthouse Performance Testing.

FAQ

Q: What is the main new audit in v13.1.0? A: The primary new audit is the Baseline Compatibility Audit, which checks if web features used on a page are part of the Web Baseline.

Q: When can I expect to use Lighthouse v13.1.0? A: It is expected to ship in Chrome 149 DevTools and be available in PageSpeed Insights within two weeks.

Q: Why is the WebDX feature usage trace category important? A: It provides more detailed data on how web platform features are used, assisting QA in performance analysis and identifying potential compatibility issues.