Bug Report: `plotly.io.install_chrome()` documented but doesn't exist

[JasperCraeghs]

The official Plotly documentation shows plotly.io.install_chrome() as a method for installing Chrome for static image export, but this method doesn't actually exist in the plotly.io module, causing AttributeError when users try to use it.

Documentation vs Reality

📖 What the docs show:

import plotly.io as pio
pio.install_chrome()

Source: https://plotly.com/python/static-image-export/#chrome

💥 What actually happens:

AttributeError: module 'plotly.io' has no attribute 'install_chrome'

✅ What actually works:

plotly_get_chrome

Steps to Reproduce

1. Follow the official static image export documentation
2. Try to run plotly.io.install_chrome()
3. Observe the AttributeError

Expected Behavior

Either:

• The plotly.io.install_chrome() method should exist and work as documented, OR
• The documentation should be corrected to only show the working plotly_get_chrome command

Current Workaround

Users must use the command-line tool instead:

import subprocess
subprocess.run(["plotly_get_chrome", "-y"], check=True)

Environment

• Plotly version: 5.x+ (affects current versions)
• Kaleido>=1.0
• Python: 3.9+
• OS: All platforms

Impact

• User confusion: Official docs lead users to non-working code
• Development friction: Users waste time debugging non-existent methods
• Documentation credibility: Undermines trust in other documented APIs

Suggested Fix

Option 1 (Preferred): Implement the missing method

# Add to plotly/io/__init__.py
def install_chrome():
    """Install Chrome for static image export using Kaleido."""
    import subprocess
    subprocess.run(["plotly_get_chrome", "-y"], check=True)

Option 2: Update documentation to remove the non-existent method and only show the working command-line approach.

Related Files

• Documentation: https://plotly.com/python/static-image-export/
• API Reference: Missing from plotly.io module
• Working CLI tool: plotly_get_chrome command

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This issue affects users trying to automate Chrome installation for static image export in CI/CD pipelines and development environments.