IntelliJ IDEA 2020.1 Help

Run/Debug Configuration: Karma

Run | Edit Configurations | Add New Configuration | Karma

In this dialog, create configurations for running and debugging JavaScript unit tests using the Karma test runner.

Before you start

  1. Download and install Node.js.

  2. Install the Karma test runner as described in Karma.

  3. Install the Karma plugin on the Plugins page as described in Manage plugins.

Karma-specific configuration settings

Item

Description

Configuration file

In this field, specify the location of the Karma configuration file. Normally, the file has the extensions .conf.js

Karma options

In this field, specify the command-line options that you want to pass to Karma to override the default settings from the karma.conf.js configuration file.

For example, to run or debug tests in Headless Chrome, type --browsers ChromeHeadless in the Karma options field. See Automated testing with Headless Chrome for details.

To see all the available CLI options, type karma start --help in the Terminal Alt+F12.

Node interpreter

In this field, specify the Node.js interpreter to use. This can be a local Node.js interpreter or a Node.js on Windows Subsystem for Linux.

Node options

In this field, type the Node.js-specific command-line options to be passed to the Node.js executable file.

  • Use --require coffee-script/register to have CoffeeScript files compiled into JavaScript on the fly during run.

    This mode requires that the register.js file, which is a part of the coffee-script package, is located inside the project. Therefore you need to install the coffee-script package on the Node.js page locally, as described in npm and Yarn.

  • Use --inspect or --inspect-brk parameter when you are using Node.js v7 for Chrome Debugging Protocol support. Otherwise, by default the debug process will use V8 Debugging Protocol.

Karma package

In this field, specify the Karma installation home /npm/node_modules/karma. If you installed Karma regularly through the Node Package Manager, IntelliJ IDEA detects the Karma installation home itself. Alternatively, type the path to executable file manually, or click Browse the Browse button and select the location in the dialog, that opens.

Working directory

In this field, specify the working directory of the application. By default, the Working directory field shows the project root folder. To change this predefined setting, specify the path to the desired folder or choose a previously used folder from the list.

Environment variables

In this field, optionally specify the environment variables for executing commands.

Tests

In this area, specify the tests to be executed. The available options are:

  • All tests: choose this option to run all the tests from the karma.conf.js configuration file.

  • Test file: choose this option to run only the tests from one file and specify the path to this file in the Test file field.

  • Suite: choose this option to run individual suites from a test file and specify the path to this file in the Test file field. Click the Suite name field and configure a list of suites to run. To add a suite to the list, click the Add button and type the name of the required suite. To remove a suite, select it in the list and click minusSign.png

  • Test: choose this option to run individual tests from a test file and specify the path to this file in the Test file field. Click the Test name field and configure a list of tests to run. To add a test to the list, click the Add button and type the name of the required test. To remove a test, select it in the list and click minusSign.png

Common

When you edit a run configuration (but not a run configuration template), you can specify the following options:

Item

Description

Name

Specify a name for the run/debug configuration to quickly identify it when editing or running the configuration, for example, from the Run popup Shift+Alt+F10.

Store as project file

Save the file with the run configuration settings to share it with other team members. The default location is .idea/runConfigurations. However, if you do not want to share the .idea directory, you can save the configuration to any other directory within the project.

By default, it is disabled, and IntelliJ IDEA stores run configuration settings in .idea/workspace.xml.

Toolbar

The tree view of run/debug configurations has a toolbar that helps you manage configurations available in your project as well as adjust default configurations templates.

Item

Shortcut

Description

the Add buttonAlt+Insert

Create a run/debug configuration.

the Remove buttonAlt+Delete

Delete the selected run/debug configuration. Note that you cannot delete default configurations.

Copy Ctrl+D

Create a copy of the selected run/debug configuration. Note that you create copies of default configurations.

Save configuration

The button is displayed only when you select a temporary configuration. Click this button to save a temporary configuration as permanent.

Edit Templates

View and edit the template (that is, the default run/debug configuration settings). The templates are displayed under the Templates node and used for newly created configurations.

Method up/Method down

Alt+Up/Alt+Down

Move the selected run/debug configuration up and down in the list.

The order of configurations in the list defines the order, in which the configurations appear when you choose a run/debug configuration.

Default templates of run/debug configurations are always sorted alphabetically.

Move into new folder / Create new folder

Move into new folder / Create new folder. You can group run/debug configurations by placing them into folders.

To create a folder, select the configurations within a category, click Folder, and specify the folder name. If only a category is in focus, an empty folder is created.

Then, to move a configuration into a folder, between the folders or out of a folder, use drag or Move Up and Move Down buttons.

To remove grouping, select a folder and click Remove Configuration.

Sort configurations

Click this button to sort configurations in the alphabetical order.

Before Launch

In this area you can specify tasks that must be performed before starting the selected run/debug configuration. The tasks are performed in the order they appear in the list.

Item

Shortcut

Description

the Add buttonAlt+Insert

Click this icon to add one of the following available tasks:

  • Run External tool: select to run an external application. In the dialog that opens, select one or multiple applications you want to run. If it is not defined in IntelliJ IDEA yet, add its definition. For more information, see External tools and External Tools.

  • Run Another Configuration: select to execute another run/debug configuration. In the dialog that opens, select the configuration to be run.

  • Build Artifacts: select this option to build an artifact or artifacts. In the dialog that opens, select the artifact or artifacts that should be built.

  • Launch Web Browser: select this option to have a browser started. In the dialog that opens, select the type of the browser and provide the start URL. Also, specify if you want the browser be launched with JavaScript debugger.

  • Run Ant target: select this option to run an Ant target. In the dialog that opens, select the target to be run.

  • Run Grunt task: select this option to run a Grunt task.

    In the Grunt task dialog that opens, specify the Gruntfile.js where the required task is defined, select the task to execute, and specify the arguments to pass to the Grunt tool.

    Specify the location of the Node.js interpreter, the parameters to pass to it, and the path to the grunt-cli package.

  • Run Gulp task: select this option to run a Gulp task.

    In the Gulp task dialog that opens, specify the Gulpfile.js where the required task is defined, select the task to execute, and specify the arguments to pass to the Gulp tool.

    Specify the location of the Node.js interpreter, the parameters to pass to it, and the path to the gulp package.

  • Run Maven Goal: select this option to run a Maven goal. In the dialog that opens, select the goal to be run.

  • Run npm Script: select this option to execute an npm script.

    In the NPM Script dialog that opens, specify the npm run/debug configuration settings.

  • Generate CoffeeScript Source Maps: select this option to generate the source maps for your CoffeeScript sources. In the dialog that opens, specify where your CoffeeScript source files are located.

  • Run Remote External tool: adds a remote SSH external tool.

the Remove buttonAlt+Delete

Click this icon to remove the selected task from the list.

Edit Enter

Click this icon to edit the selected task. Make the necessary changes in the dialog that opens.

Method up/Method down

Alt+Up/Alt+Down

Click these icons to move the selected task one line up or down in the list. The tasks are performed in the order that they appear in the list.

Show this page

Select this checkbox to show the run/debug configuration settings prior to actually starting the run/debug configuration.

Activate tool window

By default this checkbox is selected and the Run or the Debug tool window opens when you start the run/debug configuration.

Otherwise, if the checkbox is cleared, the tool window is hidden. However, when the configuration is running, you can open the corresponding tool window for it yourself by pressing Alt+4 or Alt+5.

Last modified: 15 April 2020
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