Poku
What it is
Poku is a free, open-source test runner for JavaScript, with support for Node.js, Bun, and Deno. It runs tests written as ESM or CommonJS, and its documentation also covers TypeScript. Poku isolates test files and includes an assertion API based on Node.js assert methods, with human-readable output. Helpers can start services and scripts, manage processes and ports, and handle containers during tests. Official coverage plugins are available for c8, Monocart, Istanbul, and one-double-zero. React and Vue plugins support component tests with DOM environments and Testing Library helpers. The Multi Suite plugin runs independently configured suites in sequence and produces a combined report; Shared Resources can share resources such as database connections across test files and processes. Developers can also create custom plugins and reporters. One described use is running the same suite across Node.js, Bun, and Deno to check package compatibility. Poku is under the MIT License. Its project says it is not meant to replace native test runners or to be the lightest or fastest runner.
For and against
For
- Supports Node.js, Bun, and Deno
- Runs ESM and CommonJS tests
- Official plugins support React and Vue component tests
- Coverage plugins include c8 and Istanbul
- Free and open source under MIT License
Against
- Does not aim to replace native test runners
- Does not aim to be the lightest or fastest runner
The verdict
Poku offers runtime support, isolation, assertion tools, and plugins for coverage and component testing. Its stated scope is not to replace native test runners or to compete on being the lightest or fastest.
Who it suits
Poku suits JavaScript developers who want to run tests across Node.js, Bun, and Deno. It also supports component tests, coverage integrations, and custom plugins and reporters.
Plans and prices
Poku
MIT License · Node.js, Bun, and Deno support
Read 4 Oct 2026 · poku.io
On the record
- Assertions
- Poku includes an assertion API based on Node.js assert methods, with human-readable output.poku.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Background services
- Poku provides helpers for starting services and scripts, handling processes and ports, and managing containers during tests.poku.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Coverage integrations
- The coverage option can load official plugins for c8, Monocart, Istanbul, or one-double-zero.poku.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Customizability
- Poku supports custom plugins and custom reporters through its documented plugin and reporter APIs.poku.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Framework integrations
- Official plugins support React and Vue component tests with DOM environments and Testing Library helpers.poku.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Isolation
- Poku runs test files with isolation, as shown in its test runner comparison.poku.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- License and security
- Poku is under the MIT License, and its documentation directs users to a GitHub security policy.poku.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Multi-suite testing
- The Multi Suite plugin runs independently configured test suites sequentially and produces a consolidated report.poku.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Notable limitation
- The project says it does not aim to replace native test runners or to be the lightest or fastest runner.poku.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Product
- Poku is a cross-platform test runner for JavaScript.poku.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Runtime support
- The documentation describes running Poku with Node.js, Bun, and Deno.poku.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Shared resources
- The Shared Resources plugin can share stateful resources such as database connections across test files and processes.poku.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Test formats
- Poku supports ESM and CommonJS tests, and its site also documents TypeScript usage.poku.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Use case
- The site describes running the same test suite across Node.js, Bun, and Deno for package compatibility testing.poku.io · read 4 Oct 2026
