Chorus BDD
Chorus BDD is free, open-source software for Behaviour Driven Development testing of distributed systems.
What Chorus BDD is
Chorus BDD is free, open-source software for Behaviour Driven Development testing of distributed systems. Tests are feature files written in Gherkin’s Given, When, Then format. During execution, Chorus can connect to processes in a test environment and discover step definitions at runtime, including components on local or remote servers. Java/JVM and JavaScript client libraries publish steps to the interpreter; the chorus-js client sends browser-based definitions over WebSocket. Chorus runs as a Java JUnit suite, Docker container, or standalone command-line installation. Its JUnit integration provides a JUnit 4-compatible runner that exposes scenarios as tests. Built-in handlers cover process control, SQL statements, and browser interaction through Selenium. Selenium can use a remote WebDriver or Selenium Grid, but the currently provided steps open a browser and navigate to a URL rather than exposing full Selenium capabilities. Chorus supports Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted use. Chorus 3.x requires JDK 8 or later; version 4.0 is built with JDK 17 while retaining Java 8 source and target compatibility. It is MIT licensed.
Good
- Open-source MIT-licensed project
- Gherkin Given-When-Then scenarios
- Discovers steps across local or remote processes
- Runs with JUnit, Docker, or command line
- Java and JavaScript client libraries
Watch out
- Selenium steps currently cover limited actions
- Requires JDK 8 or later
- No stated support plan or response time
Who it suits
Chorus BDD suits teams testing distributed applications with Gherkin scenarios and runtime-published steps. It fits Java, JavaScript, Docker, JUnit, command-line, and self-hosted workflows.
Verdict
Chorus BDD offers distributed test execution with several run modes and language clients. Its browser handler is narrower than full Selenium, so browser-heavy workflows should account for that scope.
The facts
Each one read from Chorus BDD's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- Browser integration
- The chorus-js client publishes browser-based JavaScript step definitions to Chorus over a WebSocket connection.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Browser testing
- The Selenium handler can open and interact with browsers and can be configured to use a remote WebDriver or Selenium Grid.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Browser testing limit
- The Selenium handler provides steps to open a browser and navigate to a URL, while the full Selenium capabilities are not exposed.checked 8 Oct 2026
What it does
- Built-in handlers
- Built-in handlers support process control, browser interaction through Selenium, and SQL statements.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Distributed components
- Client libraries let Java/JVM and JavaScript components publish test steps to Chorus.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Distributed testing
- It can discover and run test steps published by components running locally or on remote servers.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Execution options
- Chorus can run as a Java JUnit suite, a Docker container, or a standalone command-line install.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Java requirements
- The site says Chorus 3.x requires JDK 8 or later and describes Chorus 4.0 as built with JDK 17 while maintaining Java 8 source and target compatibility.checked 8 Oct 2026
- JavaScript integration
- The chorus-js client publishes step definitions to the interpreter over a WebSocket connection.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Java test integration
- The JUnit integration provides a JUnit 4 compliant runner that exposes each scenario as a test.checked 8 Oct 2026
- License
- The project describes itself as open source and licensed under the MIT license.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Chorus is an open-source Behaviour Driven Development test interpreter for distributed systems.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Run options
- Chorus can run as a Java JUnit suite, in a Docker container, or from the command line as a standalone installable package.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Runtime discovery
- The interpreter can connect to other processes in a test environment to discover step definitions at runtime.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Security
- The changelist says version 3.1.2 added support for secure JMX connections using a username and password in the Remoting handler configuration.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Selenium scope
- The Selenium handler currently provides steps to open a browser and navigate to a URL, while its full capabilities are not exposed.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The About page directs users with questions or suggestions to open an issue on GitHub.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Supported clients
- Chorus provides client libraries for Java/JVM and JavaScript components.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support information
- The opened maker pages describe documentation and downloadable run options but do not state a support plan or response time.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Test format
- Tests are written as feature files in Gherkin’s Given, When, Then format.checked 8 Oct 2026
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