IntelliJ IDEA 2020.2 Help

Run tests

Quick way

If your tests don't require any specific actions before start and you don't want to configure additional options, such as code coverage, you can run them by using the following options:

  • Place the caret at the test class to run all tests in that class, or at the test method, and press Ctrl+Shift+F10. Alternatively, click the gutter icon next to the test class or test method.

    The gutter icon changes depending on the state of your test:

    • The the Run button gutter icon marks new tests.

    • The the Run test icon gutter icon marks successful tests.

    • The the Rerun the Run button gutter icon marks failed tests.

    Running a test using the gutter icon
  • To run all tests in a folder, select this folder in the Project tool window and press Ctrl+Shift+F10 or select Run Tests in 'folder' from the context menu.

Customizable way

When you run a test, IntelliJ IDEA creates a temporary run configuration. You can save temporary run configurations, change their settings, share them with other members of your team. For more information, refer to Run/debug configurations.

  1. Create a new run configuration or save a temporary one.

  2. From the list on the main toolbar, select the configuration you want to run.

  3. Click the Run button or press Shift+F10.

    Running a run/debug configuration for tests

After IntelliJ IDEA finishes running your tests, it shows the results in the Run tool window on the Test Runner tab. For more information on how to analyze test results, refer to Explore test results.

Running all tests in a folder, stopping, and rerunning a single test

Stop tests

Use the following options on the Run toolbar of the Test Runner tab:

  • Click the Stop button or press Ctrl+F2 to terminate the process immediately.

  • Click the Exit button to terminate the process gracefully, allowing shutdown hooks to run.

Rerun tests

Rerun a single test

  • To rerun a single test, right-click this test on the Test Runner tab of the Run tool window and select Run 'test name'.

Rerun all tests in a session

  • Click the Run button on the Run toolbar or press Ctrl+F5 to rerun all tests in a session.

Rerun failed tests

  • Click the Rerun Failed Tests button on the Run toolbar to rerun only failed tests.

    Hold Shift and click the Rerun Failed Tests button to choose whether you want to Run the tests again or Debug them.

    You can configure the IDE to trigger tests that were ignored or not started during the previous test run together with failed tests. Click the Settings button on the Test Runner toolbar and enable the Include Non-Started Tests into Rerun Failed option.

Rerun tests automatically

In IntelliJ IDEA, you can enable the autotest-like runner: any test in the current run configuration restarts automatically after you change the related source code.

  • Click Toggle auto-test Toggle auto-test on the Run toolbar to enable the autotest-like runner.

    This option is not available for Maven and Gradle run configurations for tests.

Debug failed tests

If you don't know why a test fails, you can debug it.

  1. In the editor, click the gutter on the line where you want to set a breakpoint.

    There are different types of breakpoints that you can use depending on where you want to suspend the program. For more information, refer to Breakpoints.

  2. Right-click the the Rerun the Run button gutter icon next to the failed test and select Debug 'test name'.

    The test that has failed will be rerun in the debug mode. After that, the test will be suspended, allowing you to examine its current state.

    You can step through the test to analyze its execution in detail.

    Debugging a test using the gutter icon
Last modified: 25 September 2020