
Intern
Intern is an open-source test system for JavaScript libraries and applications.
What Intern is
Intern is an open-source test system for JavaScript libraries and applications. Developers can write tests in JavaScript or TypeScript using approaches such as TDD or BDD, then run them in browsers, Node.js, or across multiple browsers and platforms with its test runner. It reports code coverage and can target web pages as well as native or hybrid iOS and Android applications. For browser automation, it supports WebDriver-compatible applications and services such as Selenium, Appium, and Selendroid. Listed cloud choices include Sauce Labs, BrowserStack, TestingBot, and a user's own Selenium Grid. The project also lists out-of-the-box connections to Travis CI, Jenkins, and TeamCity. Its architecture can be extended with custom test interfaces, executors, and reporters. Intern is free under the New BSD license; the project links to GitHub downloads and gives `npm install intern` as the install command. Community support is available through Stack Overflow, Gitter, and IRC. The project README states that Internet Explorer 9 is not supported.
Good
- Tests can be written in JavaScript and TypeScript.
- Runs tests in Node.js and web browsers.
- Provides code coverage reporting.
- Supports several cloud and CI integrations.
Watch out
- Internet Explorer 9 is not supported.
- Support is community-provided.
Who it suits
Intern suits developers testing JavaScript libraries, web pages, or native and hybrid mobile apps. It is also relevant to teams that need browser automation, coverage reports, or CI integration.
Verdict
Intern brings test authoring, execution, coverage, and integrations into one open-source system. Its stated IE9 limitation and community support model are worth considering for a project’s needs.
The facts
Each one read from Intern's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- Browser automation
- Intern supports WebDriver-compatible applications and services, including Selenium, Appium, and Selendroid.checked 4 Oct 2026
What it does
- CI integrations
- The homepage lists Travis CI, Jenkins, and TeamCity as out-of-the-box integrations.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Cloud integrations
- The homepage lists Sauce Labs, BrowserStack, TestingBot, and a user's own Selenium Grid for running tests.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Cloud testing
- Intern has built-in support for BrowserStack, CrossBrowserTesting, Sauce Labs, and TestingBot.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Code coverage
- Intern provides code coverage reporting.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Commercial help
- The homepage says SitePen offers workshops and On-Demand Development assistance for Intern.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limit
- The project README says Intern does not support Internet Explorer 9.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Coverage
- Intern provides code coverage reporting.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Documentation limitation
- The documentation page says its viewer requires JavaScript and links to Intern project repositories on GitHub.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Execution
- Tests can run in a browser, in Node.js, or across multiple browsers and platforms with the Intern test runner.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- Intern supports custom test interfaces and reporters.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Install
- The homepage links to GitHub downloads and says to install Intern with `npm install intern`.checked 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The homepage identifies Intern as New BSD licensed.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Local testing
- Intern supports a local Selenium server and a user's own Selenium Grid.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Mobile testing
- Intern can test native mobile application UIs through Appium, ios-driver, or Selendroid.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Intern is a JavaScript testing framework for websites and applications.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Security
- The GitHub repository links a security policy, but the opened product pages state no security certifications or compliance claims.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The homepage says free community support is available through Stack Overflow, Gitter, and IRC.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Test languages
- Intern supports writing tests in JavaScript and TypeScript.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Test targets
- The project README says Intern can test web pages and native or hybrid iOS and Android applications.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Test types
- Intern supports unit and functional testing, including tests run in browsers and Node.js.checked 8 Oct 2026
The company
- Maker
- The product site says Intern is created by SitePen and © 2022 OpenJS Foundation.checked 4 Oct 2026
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