pytest-timeout

pytest plugin to abort hanging tests

pytest-timeout Permissive license MIT Active ★ 255 v2.4.0 released 2025-05-05

Install

pytest-timeout on PyPI

pip

pip install pytest-timeout

uv

uv add pytest-timeout

poetry

poetry add pytest-timeout

Package facts

License	MIT (permissive)
Python support	supports the current Python release (>=3.7)
Install friction	low — pure-Python wheel
Runtime dependencies	1 — pytest
Maintenance	actively maintained — 465 days since the last release
Last repo commit	2026-06-30
First released	2012-02-27
Popularity	one of the top 1,000 most-downloaded packages on PyPI (30-day window, as of 2026-08-13)
Known vulnerabilities	none known (OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-13)

Evidence: pytest_timeout-2.4.0-py3-none-any.whl

Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableEnvironment :: ConsoleEnvironment :: PluginsFramework :: PytestIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: DFSG approvedLicense :: OSI Approved :: MIT LicenseOperating System :: OS IndependentProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3 :: OnlyProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Programming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonProgramming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: PyPyTopic :: Software Development :: Testing

About pytest-timeout

from the package's own PyPI description — quoted content, verbatim

============== pytest-timeout ==============

.. |version| image:: https://img.shields.io/pypi/v/pytest-timeout.svg :target: https://pypi.python.org/pypi/pytest-timeout

.. |anaconda| image:: https://img.shields.io/conda/vn/conda-forge/pytest-timeout.svg :target: https://anaconda.org/conda-forge/pytest-timeout

.. |ci| image:: https://github.com/pytest-dev/pytest-timeout/workflows/build/badge.svg :target: https://github.com/pytest-dev/pytest-timeout/actions

.. |python| image:: https://img.shields.io/pypi/pyversions/pytest-timeout.svg :target: https://pypi.python.org/pypi/pytest-timeout/

.. |pre-commit| image:: https://results.pre-commit.ci/badge/github/pytest-dev/pytest-timeout/master.svg :target: https://results.pre-commit.ci/latest/github/pytest-dev/pytest-timeout/master

.. warning::

Please read this README carefully and only use this plugin if you understand the consequences. This plugin is designed to catch excessively long test durations like deadlocked or hanging tests, it is not designed for precise timings or performance regressions. Remember your test suite should aim to be fast, with...

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AI interpretation — verify before relying

AI-generated interpretation of the package facts above; every digit, version, license, or vulnerability id it cites is grounded in the facts already shown on this page

A pytest plugin that terminates tests exceeding a specified duration, useful for catching hanging or deadlocked tests during continuous integration or local test runs.

Low friction install with a single lightweight runtime dependency on pytest. The package is actively maintained with recent releases and has been stable since 2012, with no known vulnerabilities.

MIT license (permissive) allows free use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions, making it suitable for both open-source and proprietary projects.

Usage

pip install pytest-timeout

pytest --timeout=300

# Or per-test via decorator:
import pytest

@pytest.mark.timeout(60)
def test_foo():
    pass

Requires Python 3.7 or higher. On POSIX systems, the signal method (default) may interfere with code under test that uses SIGALRM; use the thread method as fallback.

Verdict: A mature, well-maintained pytest plugin with no security issues and permissive licensing. Install is straightforward. Best suited as a safety net for detecting hung tests rather than for precise performance measurement; read the documentation carefully to understand termination behavior on your platform.

Needs verification

Whether the thread termination method's overhead is acceptable for large test suites
Compatibility with other pytest plugins that manipulate process signals or threading

pytest test timeoutabort hanging teststest duration limitpytest deadlock detectiontest execution timeoutpytest long-running testtest suite timeout control