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Poku

poku.io

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Spec score 7.5 #13 of 23 in JavaScript Testing Frameworks

What it is

Poku is a free, open-source JavaScript test runner for Node.js, Bun, and Deno. It runs ESM and CommonJS tests, with TypeScript usage documented, and isolates test files. An assertion API based on Node.js assert methods provides human-readable output. Helpers start services and scripts, manage processes and ports, and handle containers during tests. Official coverage plugins support c8, Monocart, Istanbul, and one-double-zero. React and Vue plugins add component testing with DOM environments and Testing Library helpers. The Multi Suite plugin runs separately configured suites sequentially and creates a consolidated report. Shared Resources can expose stateful resources such as database connections across files and processes. Custom plugins and reporters are supported. Poku documents running one suite across all three runtimes for compatibility checks. It is licensed under MIT.

Spec sheet

Product
Poku is a cross-platform test runner for JavaScript.Read 4 Oct 2026 · poku.io
Assertions
Poku includes an assertion API based on Node.js assert methods, with human-readable output.Read 4 Oct 2026 · poku.io
Background services
Poku provides helpers for starting services and scripts, handling processes and ports, and managing containers during tests.Read 4 Oct 2026 · poku.io
Coverage integrations
The coverage option can load official plugins for c8, Monocart, Istanbul, or one-double-zero.Read 4 Oct 2026 · poku.io
Customizability
Poku supports custom plugins and custom reporters through its documented plugin and reporter APIs.Read 4 Oct 2026 · poku.io
Framework integrations
Official plugins support React and Vue component tests with DOM environments and Testing Library helpers.Read 4 Oct 2026 · poku.io
Isolation
Poku runs test files with isolation, as shown in its test runner comparison.Read 4 Oct 2026 · poku.io
License and security
Poku is under the MIT License, and its documentation directs users to a GitHub security policy.Read 4 Oct 2026 · poku.io
Multi-suite testing
The Multi Suite plugin runs independently configured test suites sequentially and produces a consolidated report.Read 4 Oct 2026 · poku.io
Notable limitation
The project says it does not aim to replace native test runners or to be the lightest or fastest runner.Read 4 Oct 2026 · poku.io
Runtime support
The documentation describes running Poku with Node.js, Bun, and Deno.Read 4 Oct 2026 · poku.io
Shared resources
The Shared Resources plugin can share stateful resources such as database connections across test files and processes.Read 4 Oct 2026 · poku.io
Test formats
Poku supports ESM and CommonJS tests, and its site also documents TypeScript usage.Read 4 Oct 2026 · poku.io
Use case
The site describes running the same test suite across Node.js, Bun, and Deno for package compatibility testing.Read 4 Oct 2026 · poku.io

Plans and prices

Poku Free Free and open-source MIT License · Node.js, Bun, and Deno support Read 4 Oct 2026 · poku.io

Every Poku plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports Node.js, Bun, and Deno
  • Isolates test files
  • Official coverage and component plugins
  • Helpers manage services and containers
  • Custom plugins and reporters supported

Limits

  • Not intended to replace native test runners
  • Not designed as the lightest or fastest runner
  • No free trial listed

Who it suits

Poku suits JavaScript developers targeting Node.js, Bun, and Deno, including teams testing package compatibility or React and Vue components.

Verdict

Poku combines cross-runtime execution with isolation, service helpers, coverage, and component-testing plugins. Its stated scope is broader than a minimal runner, while the project explicitly does not target replacing native runners or being the lightest or fastest.

Where Specifiction places it

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