lit
A Software Testing Tool
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you are working with LLVM, Clang, or a project that already uses lit for testing. The package is stable, has no dependencies, and installs easily. However, do not install expecting active maintenance or new features—development is dormant. For new test infrastructure projects, consider whether lit's LLVM-centric design fits your needs or whether a more actively maintained alternative would be safer.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires LLVM utilities (not, FileCheck) to be built and available in PATH for full test suite execution.
- Low install friction with no runtime dependencies.
- Maintenance status is dormant—780 days since last release—so expect no active bug fixes or feature development, though the package remains functional for its core use case.
License · maintenance · safety
Apache-2.0 with LLVM exception (permissive) — Licensed under Apache-2.0 with LLVM exception (permissive). Safe for commercial and private use with minimal attribution requirements.
last release 2024-06-25 (780 days)
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 3,427,839 downloads/mo, #2,625 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install lit
lit --path /path/to/llvm/build/bin /path/to/test/suite- Whether lit works with modern Python versions beyond what the fact sheet specifies.
- Current state of LLVM integration and whether the package remains compatible with recent LLVM releases.
- Whether parallel test execution performance scales meaningfully for large test suites.
What it is and what it does
lit is a lightweight, portable test runner originally designed for LLVM and Clang test suites. It discovers tests, executes them in parallel, and provides a summary of results with clear failure reporting. The package has no runtime dependencies, making it simple to install and deploy.
lit is primarily used by LLVM developers and projects that adopt LLVM's test infrastructure. It supports multiple test formats and flexible test discovery, allowing projects to define custom test runners. The tool is designed for simplicity and portability across operating systems, though its active development has stalled—the last release was 780 days ago and maintenance status is dormant.
Use it for
- Run LLVM and Clang test suites locally or in CI pipelines with parallel execution.
- Execute custom test suites that follow LLVM's test format conventions in projects that adopt lit.
- Integrate lit into build systems for projects that depend on LLVM toolchain testing.
- Discover and run tests across multiple directories with flexible, configurable test discovery rules.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you are working with LLVM, Clang, or a project that already uses lit for testing.
The package is stable, has no dependencies, and installs easily. However, do not install expecting active maintenance or new features—development is dormant. For new test infrastructure projects, consider whether lit's LLVM-centric design fits your needs or whether a more actively maintained alternative would be safer.
Install
lit on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with no runtime dependencies. Maintenance status is dormant—780 days since last release—so expect no active bug fixes or feature development, though the package remains functional for its core use case.
Requires LLVM utilities (not, FileCheck) to be built and available in PATH for full test suite execution.
License in practice
Licensed under Apache-2.0 with LLVM exception (permissive). Safe for commercial and private use with minimal attribution requirements.
Quickstart
pip install lit
lit --path /path/to/llvm/build/bin /path/to/test/suiteVerify before relying
- Whether lit works with modern Python versions beyond what the fact sheet specifies.
- Current state of LLVM integration and whether the package remains compatible with recent LLVM releases.
- Whether parallel test execution performance scales meaningfully for large test suites.
Package facts
| License | Apache-2.0 with LLVM exception permissive |
| Python support | Not specified |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Dormant 780 days since the last release |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 3,427,839 / month, #2,625 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 3 - AlphaEnvironment :: ConsoleIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: Apache Software LicenseNatural Language :: EnglishOperating System :: OS IndependentProgramming Language :: PythonTopic :: Software Development :: Testing |
Evidence: lit-18.1.8-py3-none-any.whl
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See also llvm-testing-tools · filecheck · llvmlite · clangd-tidy · clang-tidy · atheris · clang · concurrencytest · libclang · pyclang