pytest-dotenv
A py.test plugin that parses environment files before running tests
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
No—not for new projects. The package is archived and abandoned since 2020, with no maintenance or security updates. While it may still work with older pytest and Python versions, there is significant risk of incompatibility with modern tooling. Consider using python-dotenv directly in your test fixtures or conftest.py, or look for actively maintained alternatives that provide the same functionality.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires pytest and python-dotenv as runtime dependencies; no known system-level blockers.
- Installation is straightforward with low friction.
- However, the package is archived and abandoned—the last release was in 2020, over 2250 days ago.
License · maintenance · safety
permissive license (permissive) — Licensed under MIT (permissive), so there are no restrictions on commercial or private use, modification, or redistribution.
last release 2020-06-16 (2250 days) · last repo commit 2025-07-30 · 210 stars · archived
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 5,523,005 downloads/mo, #2,082 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install pytest-dotenv
# In pytest.ini or tox.ini:
[pytest]
env_files = .env
# Or run: pytest --envfile .env- Whether the package remains compatible with pytest versions released after 2020
- Whether python-dotenv's API changes since 2020 affect this plugin's functionality
- Active community forks or maintained alternatives that provide the same functionality
What it is and what it does
pytest-dotenv is a pytest plugin that integrates python-dotenv to automatically load environment variables from .env files before tests run. It detects .env files in the working directory or ancestor directories and populates os.environ without overriding existing system variables by default. The plugin supports multiple configuration files (e.g., .env, .test.env, .deploy.env) defined in pytest config files like pytest.ini or tox.ini, and can be controlled via command-line flags.
The package depends on pytest and python-dotenv as its only runtime dependencies, making installation lightweight. However, it is archived and abandoned—the last release was in June 2020, and there have been no updates since. While it remains popular (top 5000 packages), the lack of maintenance means it may not be compatible with recent pytest or Python versions, and security or compatibility issues will not be addressed.
Use it for
- Load test-specific environment variables from .env files without modifying system environment during CI/CD pipelines
- Manage multiple environment configurations (.env, .test.env, .deploy.env) for different test scenarios
- Automatically populate pytest fixtures or test code with environment-based configuration without manual setup
- Override environment variables selectively during test runs while preserving production settings in the base environment
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
No—not for new projects.
The package is archived and abandoned since 2020, with no maintenance or security updates. While it may still work with older pytest and Python versions, there is significant risk of incompatibility with modern tooling. Consider using python-dotenv directly in your test fixtures or conftest.py, or look for actively maintained alternatives that provide the same functionality.
Install
pytest-dotenv on PyPI
Before you install
Installation is straightforward with low friction. However, the package is archived and abandoned—the last release was in 2020, over 2250 days ago. While it has maintained a stable position in the top 5000 PyPI packages, no active maintenance means security updates or compatibility fixes are unlikely.
Requires pytest and python-dotenv as runtime dependencies; no known system-level blockers.
License in practice
Licensed under MIT (permissive), so there are no restrictions on commercial or private use, modification, or redistribution.
Quickstart
pip install pytest-dotenv
# In pytest.ini or tox.ini:
[pytest]
env_files = .env
# Or run: pytest --envfile .envVerify before relying
- Whether the package remains compatible with pytest versions released after 2020
- Whether python-dotenv's API changes since 2020 affect this plugin's functionality
- Active community forks or maintained alternatives that provide the same functionality
Package facts
| License | permissive license permissive |
| Python support | Not specified |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 2 packagespytestpython-dotenv |
| Maintenance | Abandoned 2,250 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | repository archived |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 5,523,005 / month, #2,082 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 4 - BetaIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: MIT LicenseNatural Language :: EnglishProgramming Language :: Python :: 2Programming Language :: Python :: 2.6Programming Language :: Python :: 2.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.4Programming Language :: Python :: 3.5Programming Language :: Python :: 3.6Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8 |
Evidence: pytest_dotenv-0.5.2-py3-none-any.whl
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See also pytest-env · pytest-pythonpath · poetry-dotenv-plugin · python-dotenv · dotenv · load-dotenv · django-dotenv · environ-config · everett · dump-env