pytest-bdd
BDD for pytest
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes. pytest-bdd is actively maintained, permissively licensed, has no known vulnerabilities, and integrates cleanly into pytest workflows. Install it if you need BDD-style testing, want to document requirements as executable scenarios, or need to bridge technical and non-technical stakeholders. The low install friction and mature codebase make it a safe choice for projects already using pytest.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.9 or later; feature files must follow Gherkin syntax and be discoverable by pytest.
- Low install friction with a pure-Python wheel and seven runtime dependencies.
- The package is actively maintained with recent releases, 1460 repository stars, and support for modern Python versions (3.9–3.13).
License · maintenance · safety
MIT (permissive) — MIT license is permissive; you can use, modify, and distribute this package freely in both open-source and commercial projects with minimal restrictions.
last release 2024-12-05 (617 days) · last repo commit 2026-08-10 · 1,460 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 3,611,297 downloads/mo, #2,558 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install pytest-bdd
from pytest_bdd import scenario, given, when, then
@scenario('example.feature', 'Example scenario')
def test_example():
pass
@given('a precondition')
def precondition():
return True- Whether the package's Gherkin subset covers the full range of Gherkin constructs needed for your project.
- Performance characteristics when running large numbers of scenarios or with complex step definitions.
- Integration compatibility with other pytest plugins beyond those listed as runtime dependencies.
What it is and what it does
pytest-bdd is a pytest plugin that brings Gherkin-style behavior-driven development (BDD) testing into the pytest ecosystem. It lets you write human-readable feature files describing application behavior, then map those steps to Python test functions using decorators. Unlike standalone BDD tools, it integrates directly with pytest, so you can reuse pytest fixtures, combine BDD and unit tests in the same project, and avoid maintaining a separate test runner.
The package supports step parameters with multiple parser types (string, parse, cfparse, regex), step aliases for readability, and dependency injection through pytest fixtures. It handles the full BDD workflow—Given/When/Then steps, scenario outlines, and step argument parsing—while letting you leverage pytest's reporting, plugins, and configuration.
Use it for
- Write acceptance tests in plain Gherkin that non-technical stakeholders can read and understand.
- Unify functional and unit tests in a single pytest suite, reducing test infrastructure complexity.
- Reuse existing pytest fixtures as setup and action steps in BDD scenarios via dependency injection.
- Parameterize BDD steps with multiple data types using parse or cfparse parsers for scenario coverage.
- Maintain feature documentation that stays synchronized with executable tests.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes.
pytest-bdd is actively maintained, permissively licensed, has no known vulnerabilities, and integrates cleanly into pytest workflows. Install it if you need BDD-style testing, want to document requirements as executable scenarios, or need to bridge technical and non-technical stakeholders. The low install friction and mature codebase make it a safe choice for projects already using pytest.
Install
pytest-bdd on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with a pure-Python wheel and seven runtime dependencies. The package is actively maintained with recent releases, 1460 repository stars, and support for modern Python versions (3.9–3.13).
Requires Python 3.9 or later; feature files must follow Gherkin syntax and be discoverable by pytest.
License in practice
MIT license is permissive; you can use, modify, and distribute this package freely in both open-source and commercial projects with minimal restrictions.
Quickstart
pip install pytest-bdd
from pytest_bdd import scenario, given, when, then
@scenario('example.feature', 'Example scenario')
def test_example():
pass
@given('a precondition')
def precondition():
return TrueVerify before relying
- Whether the package's Gherkin subset covers the full range of Gherkin constructs needed for your project.
- Performance characteristics when running large numbers of scenarios or with complex step definitions.
- Integration compatibility with other pytest plugins beyond those listed as runtime dependencies.
Package facts
| License | MIT permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.9 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 7 packagesMakogherkin-officialpackagingparseparse-typepytesttyping-extensions |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 617 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 3,611,297 / month, #2,558 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 6 - MatureIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: MIT LicenseOperating System :: MacOS :: MacOS XOperating System :: Microsoft :: WindowsOperating System :: POSIXProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Topic :: Software Development :: LibrariesTopic :: Software Development :: TestingTopic :: Utilities |
Evidence: pytest_bdd-8.1.0-py3-none-any.whl
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See also behave · radish-bdd · vedro · terraform-compliance · behave-django · gherkin-official · cucumber-expressions · cucumber-tag-expressions · allure-pytest-bdd · behavex