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YAKS

C
C tier on BDD Testing ToolsScore 6.7 · #10 of 29
Android app
Not listed
Free plan
No
Runs on
Linux, Mac, self-hosted, Windows
citrusframework.org
The YAKS homepage
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Summary

YAKS is a free framework for behavior-driven testing of cloud-native applications on Kubernetes. Its tests are written as Gherkin feature specifications and run as Kubernetes pods after the YAKS operator prepares a runtime from a Test custom resource. The yaks command-line tool installs the operator and runs tests on a cluster. Built-in steps cover HTTP REST, JMS, Kafka, and Knative eventing. The yaks-http module can call REST endpoints and check responses, or provide an HTTP service that receives requests and simulates responses. Other modules support Apache Camel routes, Camel K integrations, and calls based on imported OpenAPI specifications. Tests can load credentials and connection URLs from Kubernetes secrets selected with YAKS labels. YAKS requires a Kubernetes or OpenShift cluster; setting up roles and custom resources may need administrator permissions. Full Windows support requires Windows Subsystem for Linux and a reboot. The project is published under the Apache-2.0 license.

Who it is for

YAKS suits developers testing cloud-native services and integrations in Kubernetes or OpenShift environments. It is especially relevant to teams that want to describe tests in Gherkin and exercise HTTP, messaging, Camel, or OpenAPI-based integrations.

What is good

  • Uses Gherkin feature specifications
  • Tests run as Kubernetes pods
  • Includes HTTP REST, JMS, Kafka, and Knative steps
  • Supports Camel routes and OpenAPI specifications
  • Can load credentials from Kubernetes secrets

What to know first

  • Requires access to a Kubernetes or OpenShift cluster
  • Custom resource setup may require administrator permissions
  • Full Windows support requires WSL and a reboot

Verdict

YAKS offers a free, cluster-based approach to BDD testing with several service and integration options. Teams need a Kubernetes or OpenShift environment, and Windows users have an additional setup requirement.

Compared on BDD testing tools

Free plan
Yescitrusframework.org
Gherkin support
Yescitrusframework.org
Execution mode
bothcitrusframework.org
Browser testing
Yescitrusframework.org
API access
Yescitrusframework.org

Facts

Purpose
YAKS is a framework for cloud-native behavior-driven development testing on Kubernetes.citrusframework.org · 1 Oct 2026
Execution model
Tests run as Kubernetes pods after the YAKS operator prepares a test runtime from a Test custom resource.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
Test language
YAKS tests use BDD feature specifications written in Gherkin syntax.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
CLI
The yaks CLI installs the operator and runs tests on a Kubernetes cluster.citrusframework.org · 1 Oct 2026
HTTP integration
The yaks-http module calls HTTP REST endpoints, verifies responses, and can provide an HTTP service that receives requests and simulates responses.citrusframework.org · 1 Oct 2026
Messaging integrations
Predefined steps support HTTP REST, JMS, Kafka, and Knative eventing transports.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
Camel integration
The yaks-camel module creates, starts, and stops Apache Camel routes and exposes more than 300 Camel components for testing.citrusframework.org · 1 Oct 2026
Camel K
YAKS provides bindings for creating and verifying Apache Camel K integrations running on Kubernetes or OpenShift.citrusframework.org · 1 Oct 2026
OpenAPI
The yaks-openapi module imports OpenAPI specifications and uses defined operations and test data to call HTTP REST endpoints.citrusframework.org · 1 Oct 2026
Secrets
Tests can load credentials and connection URLs from Kubernetes secrets selected with YAKS labels.citrusframework.org · 1 Oct 2026
Security controls
Managing custom resources requires Kubernetes roles and role bindings for the yaks-viewer and yaks-operator service accounts.citrusframework.org · 1 Oct 2026
Requirements
YAKS requires access to a Kubernetes or OpenShift cluster, and administrative rights may be needed to set up roles and custom resources.citrusframework.org · 1 Oct 2026
Windows support
Full Windows support requires enabling Windows Subsystem for Linux and rebooting the system.citrusframework.org · 1 Oct 2026
License
The YAKS repository is published under the Apache-2.0 license.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
Support
The Citrus team offers consulting, training, implementation help, patches, and custom features, with user and developer mailing lists.citrusframework.org · 1 Oct 2026
BDD syntax
YAKS tests use feature specifications written in Gherkin syntax.citrusframework.org · 1 Oct 2026
Citrus integration
YAKS builds on Citrus for connecting to endpoints as a client or server.citrusframework.org · 1 Oct 2026
Cloud integrations
The documentation includes steps for Apache Camel, Apache Camel K, Kamelets, Pipes and Kubernetes resources.citrusframework.org · 1 Oct 2026
Additional testing
YAKS documentation includes OpenAPI, Selenium and Testcontainers testing steps.citrusframework.org · 1 Oct 2026
Cluster requirement
Using YAKS requires access to a Kubernetes or OpenShift cluster.citrusframework.org · 1 Oct 2026
Windows requirement
Full YAKS support on Windows requires Windows Subsystem for Linux and a reboot after enabling it.citrusframework.org · 1 Oct 2026
Permissions
Installing YAKS custom resource definitions and roles may require cluster-admin permissions.citrusframework.org · 1 Oct 2026
Support channels
The project provides documentation, GitHub issues and a Zulip chat for questions and contributions.citrusframework.org · 1 Oct 2026
License warranty
The Apache license states that the software is provided on an AS IS basis without warranties unless required by law or agreed in writing.citrusframework.org · 1 Oct 2026

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