[BUG] When editing config | projects settings while running UI Mode, then UI Mode need restart to pickup changes

[jaktestowac]

System info

• Playwright Version: [v1.38.1]
• Operating System: [Windows 11]

Source code

• [x ] I provided exact source code that allows reproducing the issue locally.

Config file

// playwright.config.ts
import { defineConfig } from "@playwright/test";

export default defineConfig({
  projects: [
    {
      name: "setup",
      grep: /@setup/,
    },
    {
      name: "chromium",
      grep: /@chromium/,
    },
  ],
});

Test file (self-contained)

// tests/example.spec.ts
import { expect, test } from "@playwright/test";

test("run @setup", async ({ page }) => {
  console.log("Test setup executed");
});

test("run @chromium", async ({ page }) => {
  console.log("Test chromium executed");
});

Steps

• Run UI Mode
• Delete one project object form playwright.config.ts i.e:

    {
      name: "chromium",
      grep: /@chromiumx/,
    },

• Use Reload button in UI Mode

Expected

New configuration of projects is imported, tests and projects are correctly displayed

Actual

Nothing changes in recognized tests
When running whole file with tests, test run chromium is marked as broken but no more info provided

Proposed solution
Best: Reload button load new config
Simple: Restart button for UI Mode

[jaktestowac]

Added separate feature request for restart button since this bug resolution can be done in other way #27367
Other issue what can be connected: #27258