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radish-bdd

Behaviour-Driven-Development tool for Python

radish-bdd v0.18.4 179.0K downloads/30d#10,184 on PyPI194
Permissive license MIT Active released

What it is and what it does

radish is a Python-based BDD framework that reads and executes Gherkin feature files—the human-readable test specifications used across the BDD ecosystem. It parses Given-When-Then scenarios and maps them to Python step definitions you write, then runs them and reports results. Beyond standard Gherkin, radish adds preconditions, scenario loops, constants, and expression support, giving you more flexibility in how you structure tests.

You install it via pip, write feature files in plain Gherkin syntax, define step implementations as decorated Python functions, and invoke the radish command-line tool to run your test suite. It works on Windows, Mac, and Linux, supports Python versions from 3.7 onward, and depends on a small set of utilities for command parsing, colored output, tag filtering, type parsing, and human-readable formatting.

Use it for:

  • Write acceptance tests in plain English (Gherkin) that non-technical stakeholders can read and understand.
  • Automate API or web application testing by mapping feature scenarios to Python step definitions.
  • Build test suites with reusable steps and data-driven scenarios using scenario loops and constants.
  • Integrate BDD tests into CI/CD pipelines to verify behavior before deployment.
  • Document system behavior through executable feature files that stay in sync with actual code.

Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying

radish is a Behavior Driven Development (BDD) test framework written in Python that executes Gherkin-style feature files and supports standard BDD patterns plus extensions like preconditions, scenario loops, and constants.

Yes, if you need a Python-native BDD framework. radish is actively maintained, has no known vulnerabilities, low install friction, and works across major platforms and recent Python versions. It's mature (since 2013) and suitable for teams wanting to write acceptance tests in Gherkin. Choose it if you prefer a Python-focused alternative to tools like Behave or Cucumber.

Install

radish-bdd on PyPI

pip

pip install radish-bdd

uv

uv add radish-bdd

poetry

poetry add radish-bdd

Installing radish-bdd

Before you install

Low friction install with five runtime dependencies (docopt, colorful, tag-expressions, parse_type, humanize). Actively maintained with recent commits and no known vulnerabilities.

License in practice

MIT license permits free use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions—suitable for both open-source and commercial projects.

Quickstart

pip install radish-bdd

# Create a feature file (e.g., features/example.feature)
# Feature: Example
#   Scenario: Test
#     Given a step

# Create steps file (features/steps.py)
from radish import given

@given('a step')
def step_impl(step):
    pass

# Run tests
# radish features/

Requires Python 3 or later (supports 3.7 through 3.14); feature files and step definitions must follow Gherkin conventions.

Verify before relying

  • Whether the 'unconventional' BDD features (preconditions, scenario loops, constants, expressions) are documented with examples in the fact sheet.
  • Performance characteristics when running large numbers of scenarios or complex step definitions.

Package facts

License MIT (permissive)
Python support supports the current Python release (>=3)
Install friction low — pure-Python wheel
Runtime dependencies 5 — docopt, colorful, tag-expressions, parse_type, humanize
Maintenance actively maintained — 171 days since the last release
Last repo commit
First released
Downloads 178,951/month — #10,184 on PyPI (30-day window, as of 2026-08-14)
Known vulnerabilities none known (OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14)

Evidence: radish_bdd-0.18.4-py2.py3-none-any.whl

Development Status :: 6 - MatureEnvironment :: ConsoleIntended Audience :: DevelopersIntended Audience :: EducationIntended Audience :: Other AudienceLicense :: OSI Approved :: MIT LicenseNatural Language :: EnglishOperating System :: MacOS :: MacOS XOperating System :: Microsoft :: WindowsOperating System :: OS IndependentOperating System :: POSIXOperating System :: POSIX :: LinuxProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.14Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Programming Language :: Python :: ImplementationTopic :: Education :: TestingTopic :: Software DevelopmentTopic :: Software Development :: Testing

Tags

BDD testing framework PythonGherkin feature file runnerbehavior driven development toolPython test automation BDDscenario testing frameworkacceptance test framework Pythonfeature file execution
bddgherkinacceptance-testing

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