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Overview
Karate is a test-automation framework that combines API testing, mocking, and performance testing. Its Gherkin-style DSL supports JSON and XML assertions, while v2 is built around Java 21+ and JUnit 6 integration for parallel test execution.
Features and best fit
Based on official documentation; not hands-on tested · Content checked:
Key features
Describe HTTP requests and JSON/XML assertions in a Gherkin-style DSL
Feature and Scenario files can define URLs, requests, HTTP methods, status checks, and response matching so API behavior and assertions remain together.
Sources: [3]
Use the same toolchain for mock servers and performance testing
v2 lists a built-in HTTP mock server and performance testing as core capabilities, allowing functional scenarios to be extended into load-oriented workflows.
Sources: [3]
Best fit
Before adoption
Karate 2.1.3 targets Java 21+ and JUnit 6
The v2.1.3 POM targets Java release 21 and JUnit 6.1.3, and the project publishes a karate-junit6 artifact. Existing v1/JUnit5 projects should review runtime and runner migration.
Browser automation from v1 is not yet part of v2
README_V2 explicitly says web-browser automation existed in v1 and will be added to v2 later. Do not assume current v2 releases provide the same UI-automation scope.
Sources: [3]
Official sources
- [1]karatelabs/karate repository(2026-09-30)
- [2]Karate README(2026-09-30)
- [3]Karate v2 README(2026-09-30)
- [4]Karate v2.1.3 parent POM(2026-09-30)
- [5]Karate v2.1.3 JUnit 6 POM(2026-09-30)
- [6]Karate v2.1.3 release(2026-09-30)
- [7]Karate MIT license(2026-09-30)
Supplemental curator note
Karate 2.1.3 is a stable v2 release combining API testing, mock servers, and performance testing. v2 targets Java 21+ and JUnit 6 integration. The v2 README says browser automation from v1 will be added later, so current evaluation should focus on API-oriented automation.
Try it in 3 steps
- 1
Add Karate JUnit 6 2.1.3
Add the v2 JUnit 6 integration as a test dependency in a Java 21+ Maven project.
<dependency><groupId>io.karatelabs</groupId><artifactId>karate-junit6</artifactId><version>2.1.3</version><scope>test</scope></dependency> - 2
Write an API scenario in a feature file
Start with one HTTP request and a status assertion.
Feature: API Scenario: health Given url "https://example.com" When method get Then status 200 - 3
Run the feature from JUnit 6
Place the runner next to the feature package and execute it with mvn test.
@Karate.Test Iterable<DynamicNode> testApi() { return Karate.run("api").relativeTo(getClass()); }
Growth
Growth trends · Last 30 days
8,972 Stars
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Categories and tags
Categories
GitHub data
GitHub dataView detailed GitHub data
GitHub Topics
- api-testing
- assertions
- automated-testing
- automation
- bdd
- contract-testing
- cucumber
- developer-tools
- load-testing
- microservices
- mock-server
- test-automation
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