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Concordion
What it is
Concordion is a free, open-source tool for Specification by Example and living documentation. It turns specification examples into executable checks against a system under test; running those checks also creates documentation. Results identify passing and failing assertions and show expected and actual values when a check fails. Generated specifications can include tables and links to other specifications. Concordion offers Java options using Markdown or HTML specifications, as well as C# options; Java fixtures use JUnit, and Concordion.NET is documented with NUnit. Integrations include IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, Gradle, Maven, command-line execution, Jenkins, and Spring. The IntelliJ plugin supports HTML and Markdown, while Eclipse support is for HTML, not Markdown. Extensions can add commands, event listeners, or documentation changes, with examples including Excel specifications, parallel runs, screenshots, and logging tools. The project uses Apache License 2.0 and is maintained by volunteers. Its Jenkins reports may be limited by Content Security Policy settings that block inline CSS and JavaScript.
For and against
For
- Open source under Apache License 2.0.
- Generated results show expected and actual values.
- Java and C# options are listed.
- Integrations include Gradle, Maven, and Jenkins.
- Extensions include parallel runs and screenshots.
Against
- Eclipse plugin support excludes Markdown specifications.
- Jenkins security settings can limit report functionality.
- The project is maintained by volunteers.
The verdict
Concordion combines specification checks with generated documentation and supports several development workflows. Teams using Jenkins should account for the documented Content Security Policy limitation.
Who it suits
Concordion is aimed at stakeholders, analysts, developers, and testers who want executable specifications that also produce documentation. It may suit teams using Java or C# and the listed build and IDE integrations.
Plans and prices
Open source
Java library · Apache License 2.0
Read 5 Oct 2026 · concordion.org
On the record
- Application interfaces
- Concordion can invoke application code directly or drive deployed application interfaces through libraries such as Selenium WebDriver, JAX/WS, JAX/RS or JDBC.concordion.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The site identifies stakeholders, analysts, developers and testers as intended users.concordion.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Build integrations
- The Java integrations page documents Gradle, Maven, command-line execution and Jenkins report publishing.concordion.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Build requirement
- Java downloads are available through Gradle and Maven, and the page says JUnit Vintage is also needed to use concordion:run with a JUnit 4 fixture.concordion.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Documentation output
- Generated specifications highlight passing and failing assertions, show expected and actual values on failure, and can include tables and links to other specifications.concordion.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Executable specifications
- Concordion instruments examples in specifications as automated checks that run against the system under test.concordion.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Extensions
- Extensions add functionality such as new commands, event listeners, and changes to generated documentation; listed examples include Excel specifications, parallel runs, screenshots, and logging tools.concordion.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- How it works
- Concordion turns specifications into executable checks that generate documentation when the checks run.concordion.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- IDE integrations
- The site describes an IntelliJ IDEA plugin with completion, navigation and test-running support, plus an Eclipse plugin for HTML specifications.concordion.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- IDE support
- The IntelliJ plugin supports HTML and Markdown specifications, while the Eclipse plugin supports HTML but not Markdown.concordion.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The Java integration page lists IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, Gradle, Maven, command line, Jenkins, and Spring integrations.concordion.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The site identifies stakeholders, analysts, developers, and testers as users Concordion is for.concordion.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Java distribution
- The Java page lists version 4.0.1 for Gradle and Maven and offers a full distribution ZIP with source code and dependencies.concordion.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Jenkins limitation
- The integrations page warns that Jenkins Content Security Policy settings can prevent Concordion reports from working fully because reports use inline CSS and JavaScript.concordion.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- License and maintenance
- The FAQ states that Concordion is licensed under Apache License 2.0, and the site says it is maintained by volunteers.concordion.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The site privacy policy says it uses Google Analytics cookies and describes collecting browser, language, referring site, date, time, and visitor-request location data.concordion.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Concordion is an open-source tool for automating Specification by Example and creating living documentation.concordion.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Results
- Generated documentation highlights passing and failing assertions and shows expected and actual values on failure.concordion.org · read 5 Oct 2026
