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

3 MB • VS Code Marketplace & Open VSX • Local-first, data stays 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 Global 2000 enterprises · 8,500+ 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. 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

Just 3 MB. Available on VS Code Marketplace and Open VSX (for VSCodium & Cursor). All data stays on your machine — no telemetry.

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-seat 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.