VS Code Extension | Plus · Pro · Enterprise tiers

Karate testing,
zero setup required.

Write, run, and debug Karate tests directly in VS Code. Native Test Explorer integration, gutter run buttons, breakpoint debugging, and a single-binary CLI mode: no Maven, no Gradle, no setup.

Install Extension Documentation

VS Code Marketplace & Open VSX • Local-first: your tests and code stay on your machine

users.feature · karate-tests

VS Code

users.feature

▶

Feature: User API Tests

Background:
  * url 'https://api.example.com'

Scenario: Create user
  Given path '/users'
  And request { name: 'Jane' }
  When method post
  Then status 201

main* Karate UTF-8 Ln 6, Col 18

By the Numbers

Hours of test authoring, in minutes

Auto-complete, breakpoint debugging, and Test Explorer integration, right inside VS Code, Cursor, or your remote dev container.

Less Code

60%

Karate tests are ~60% shorter than the equivalent RestAssured + JUnit setup.

Time per API test

1 hr vs 4 hr

Author a single API test in ~1 hour instead of the 4 it takes with traditional Java tooling.

One Editor

API + UI + Perf

Author API, UI, performance tests, and mocks in the same Gherkin syntax, no tool-switch.

Runs Anywhere

Local · Remote · Cloud

Works in VS Code, Cursor, VSCodium, GitHub Codespaces, Gitpod, and Devcontainers.

Write tests faster

Auto-complete for Karate keywords, JSON paths, and built-in functions, with real-time diagnostics that catch errors as you type.

Debug without leaving VS Code

Set breakpoints in .feature files and step through embedded JavaScript, with hot-reload of a live session on the Pro tier.

Works wherever you code

Available on the VS Code Marketplace and Open VSX. Runs in remote dev containers and ephemeral environments, ready for whatever your team adopts next.

Trusted by developers, QA engineers, and Fortune 500 enterprises · 8,800+ GitHub stars →

See It in Action

From first test to advanced debugging in minutes

Watch real walkthroughs of the Plus and Pro tiers. No sign-up, no demo requests, just hands-on videos from our team.

Plus Tier Install & run your first test

Plus Walkthrough

Run your first Karate test in VS Code

Syntax highlighting, gutter run buttons, native VS Code Test Explorer integration, structure view, and in-IDE results: the essentials for authoring Karate tests in your editor.

Paid · Pro Tier Auto-complete, debugging & diagnostics

Pro Walkthrough

Auto-complete, debugging & code navigation

Auto-complete, code folding, jump to references, real-time diagnostics, breakpoint debugging through Karate and embedded JavaScript, and seamless integration with Red Hat's Java debug extension: full IDE-class developer experience.

Want more tutorials? Visit our YouTube channel →

What's Inside

Built native to VS Code

Karate's VS Code extension feels at home in the editor, from Test Explorer to the command palette to launch configurations.

Native Test Explorer

Karate features and scenarios show up in VS Code's built-in Test Explorer with run, debug, and watch controls. Pass/fail updates live as the run progresses, no separate panels.

Run from Gutter

Click the gutter ▶ icon to run any scenario, or press Ctrl+F5 / Cmd+F5 to fire it instantly.

Pro

Step Debugging

Set breakpoints in .feature files and step through embedded JavaScript. Hot-reload a live session without restart.

Smart Auto-Complete

Context-aware suggestions for Karate keywords, built-ins, JSON paths, and variables. Real-time diagnostics catch errors as you type.

Three Run Modes

Auto-detect Maven/Gradle, use the standalone karate-cli single binary, or integrate with Red Hat's Java extension, whichever fits your project.

Launch Configurations

Custom launch.json profiles for environment switching, tags, and threads, no run-mode toggling required.

JSON Utilities

One-click reformat, simplify, or strictify JSON. Convert between single-line and multi-line. Align Examples table columns instantly.

Command Palette

First-class VS Code commands: Karate: Setup, Karate: New Feature File, Karate: Sign In. Discover everything via Cmd+Shift+P.

Local-First, Private

Available on VS Code Marketplace and Open VSX (for VSCodium & Cursor). Tests and code stay on your machine. Anonymous usage events respect your VS Code telemetry setting.

Pricing Tiers

Pick the tier that fits your workflow.

Three tiers to match your team's needs, from hobbyists writing their first test to enterprises running thousands of tests in CI.

Plus

Paid

$100 / year

For individual developers getting started

Syntax coloring
Run feature & single scenarios
Test Explorer integration
Launch configurations
Outline view & structure
Code formatting & JSON utilities

Get Plus

Pro

Paid

Per-user license

Advanced debugging & productivity

Everything in Plus, plus:

Auto-complete & diagnostics
Code folding
Jump to references
Run all tests in folder
Breakpoint debugging (Karate & JS)
Debug Karate & Java together
Kafka & add-on runner

Get Pro

Enterprise

Contact Sales

Custom pricing

For organizations with scale & compliance needs

Everything in Pro, plus:

OpenAPI / Swagger import (coming soon)
Priority support & SLA
SSO / SAML authentication
Offline license & volume licensing
Dedicated onboarding

Talk to Sales

Same tiers are also available for the IntelliJ plugin →

Get Started

Up and running in 60 seconds

Three steps from marketplace to your first test run.

Install

Open VS Code → Extensions (Cmd+Shift+X) → search "Karate" → click Install.

VS Code Marketplace →

Run setup (optional)

Open the command palette and run Karate: Setup. The extension will install karate-cli automatically if your project needs it.

Run your first test

Open any .feature file and click the gutter ▶ icon, or hit Ctrl+F5 / Cmd+F5. That's it.

Or install from the command line

$ code --install-extension karatelabs.karate

Also available on Open VSX Registry for VSCodium, Cursor, and other open editors.

Need the full setup walkthrough, keyboard shortcuts, and feature deep-dives? Read the VS Code extension docs →

Karate testing, zero setup required.