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Pure Test

github.com

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Spec score 8.0 #6 of 23 in JavaScript Testing Frameworks

What it is

Pure Test is a free, minimal test runner for projects using JavaScript runtimes and browsers. It supports Node.js, Deno, Bun, Cloudflare Workers, and browsers, and its API includes test suites, assertions, lifecycle hooks, spies, fake timers, and retry and timeout options. The CLI provides multiple reporters, test filters, file watching, sharding, and fail-fast execution. For CI, `--shard` splits test files across jobs and exits cleanly when a shard has no files. TypeScript test discovery requires `--ts` on Node.js; it is automatic on Deno and Bun. A Deno adapter registers tests as `Deno.test()` calls for use with `deno test` and its filtering and IDE workflows. The README includes migration guides for Jest and Vitest and notes compatibility with common mock methods. Pure Test does not isolate tests, so lifecycle hooks are recommended for managing state. The project is beta, and its APIs may change. It is Apache-2.0 licensed, with no paid plans stated.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Pure Test is a minimal, zero-dependency, cross-runtime test runner.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · github.com
License
The repository identifies the project as Apache-2.0 licensed.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
CI use
The CLI supports `--shard` to split test files across jobs and exits cleanly for empty shards.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
CLI
The CLI supports multiple reporters, test filters, file watching, sharding, and fail-fast execution.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Deno integration
A Deno adapter registers tests as `Deno.test()` calls for use with `deno test` and its filtering and IDE workflows.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Excluded features
The README says the runner will not support module mocking, snapshot testing, built-in coverage, worker isolation, or configuration files.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Installation
The README gives `npm install @igorjs/pure-test --save-dev` as the installation command.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Isolation limitation
The runner does not isolate tests; the README recommends using lifecycle hooks to manage test state.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Jest and Vitest migration
The README provides migration guides and says mock APIs are compatible for common methods such as `mockReturnValue` and `mock.calls`.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maker and company details
The opened repository page identifies the owner as `igorjs` but does not state a maker name, headquarters, or founding date.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Project status
The README identifies the project as beta and says its APIs may change.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Runtime support
The project says it works on Node.js, Deno, Bun, Cloudflare Workers, and browsers.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Testing features
Its API includes test suites, assertions, lifecycle hooks, spies, fake timers, and retry and timeout options.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
TypeScript
TypeScript test discovery is opt-in with `--ts` on Node.js and automatic on Deno and Bun.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Apache-2.0 open-source software Free No paid plans or pricing stated Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every Pure Test plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports five runtimes and browsers
  • CLI includes filters, watching, and sharding
  • Deno adapter integrates with deno test
  • Apache-2.0 licensed and free

Limits

  • Tests are not isolated
  • Module mocking and snapshot testing are excluded
  • Project is beta; APIs may change

Who it suits

Pure Test suits developers who want a small runner across several JavaScript runtimes, including browser and edge environments. Its CLI and sharding options may also suit teams running tests in CI.

Verdict

Pure Test provides core test-running tools and a CLI across several runtimes, without dependencies. Its beta status and lack of isolation, module mocking, snapshots, and built-in coverage are important limits to weigh.

Where Specifiction places it

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