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AVA

A test runner for Node.js with a concise API and detailed error output.

GitHub Download v8.3.0
Stars
20.8k
Forks
1.5k
Licence
MIT
Language
JavaScript
Last update
5 days ago
Type
Dev tool

What it is

AVA is a testing tool for JavaScript code that runs on Node.js. You write small test functions, run one command, and it reports which checks passed or failed, with clear diffs showing the difference between expected and actual values. Its README highlights running tests concurrently and giving each test file its own isolated environment.

  • Write unit tests for a Node.js module using the test() function and t.is() or t.pass() assertions
  • Run tests in watch mode with npx ava --watch while you edit code
  • Run test files in parallel across CI builds using automatic CI detection
  • Test async code, including Promises and async functions, without extra setup

Great for

  • Node.js developers who want a small, straightforward test runner
  • Projects that use ES modules, which the README says the documentation assumes
  • Teams running tests in CI who want automatic splitting of test files across parallel builds
  • Developers who want built-in TypeScript definitions and async or Promise test support

Not ideal for

  • People who need a browser-only testing tool; the README lists browser testing only as a recipe, not a core feature
  • Projects that must run AVA globally, since the README says AVA cannot be run globally and must be installed locally
  • Anyone on an unsupported Node.js version, since AVA only supports the latest release of each Node.js major version that Node.js itself supports
Step-by-step guide: how to use AVAInstall, first run, examples, tips and FAQs
AVA alternativesAVA vs JestAVA vs MochaAVA vs Vitest

How to get it

  1. 1

    Install with a package manager

    You'll need: Node.js (the README does not state a specific version beyond supporting the latest release of each supported major version) · npm or Yarn

    Set up AVA in a project (recommended)

    npm init ava

    Install manually with npm

    npm install --save-dev ava

    Install with Yarn

    yarn add ava --dev
  2. 2

    Run it

    • Run npm init ava to install and configure AVA in your project
    • Create a test.js file in the project root with a test() call
    • Run npm test or npx ava to execute the tests
    • Run npx ava --watch to re-run tests automatically while you edit
  3. 3

    Get the most out of it

    • Use watch mode (npx ava --watch) during development to re-run tests on change
    • Configure CI to take advantage of automatic parallel runs across builds
    • Read the docs for writing tests, assertions, and snapshot testing in the docs directory
    • Follow the TypeScript recipe if your project uses TypeScript
    • Use the Debugging recipes for Chrome DevTools, VSCode, or WebStorm when a test fails

Downloads

Source code (.zip)main branch · straight from GitHubRelease v8.3.0Release notes and source

Strengths

  • The README describes a concise API with detailed, syntax-highlighted diffs on failure
  • Tests run concurrently and each test file gets an isolated environment
  • Includes TypeScript definitions and a TAP reporter

Trade-offs

  • Must be installed locally in each project; it cannot be run globally
  • Documentation assumes ES modules, which may need adjustment for older CommonJS projects
  • The README is truncated here, so some details of configuration and advanced features are not covered in this entry

How it compares

ProjectStarsTypeLevelUpdatedBest for
ava (this)20.8kDev toolbeginner5 days agoNode.js developers who want a small, straightforward test runner
jest45.5kLibrarybeginner4 days agoJavaScript or TypeScript developers who want a testing setup that works with little configuration
mocha22.9kLibraryintermediate5 days agoJavaScript and Node.js developers who want automated tests for their code
vitest17.3kLibraryintermediate4 days agoJavaScript or TypeScript developers already using Vite
solid36.2kLibraryintermediate4 days agoDevelopers who want fine-grained control over what re-renders in a web UI
async28.1kLibraryintermediate4 days agoJavaScript developers who need to run many asynchronous operations over a collection of items

Stats synced from GitHub. The assessment above was drafted with AI from the project's README on 2026-10-29 and may miss recent changes — check the README before relying on a command. MIT licence: free to use, modify and distribute, including commercially, as long as you keep the copyright notice.