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Venom is an open-source CLI tool for writing and executing integration tests as YAML-based test suites. It supports multiple executor types (HTTP, scripts, web, IMAP) and assertions, generating xUnit-compatible reports. Built in Go and maintained by OVH.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | ovh/venom |
| Owner | ovh |
| Primary language | Go |
| License | Apache-2.0 — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 1.2k |
| Forks | 172 |
| Open issues | 41 |
| Latest release | v1.3.0 (2026-01-06) |
| Last updated | 2026-07-03 |
| Source | https://github.com/ovh/venom |
What venom is
Go-based integration testing framework that parses YAML test definitions and executes pluggable executors with variable interpolation and assertion chains. Supports custom executors, test data iteration, environment variable injection, and multi-format output (JSON, XML, TAP, YAML). No external runtime dependencies for basic functionality.
Get the venom source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/ovh/venom.gitcd venom# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- Test suites written in YAML; no programming required but YAML syntax familiarity needed. Variable interpolation and conditional logic must be learned.
- Executors are modular; custom executors can be added via Go plugins or shell scripts. Standard library includes HTTP, script, web, IMAP; evaluate if needed executor exists before integration.
- Dependency on external tools: web executor likely requires browser; script executor delegates to shell/subprocess. Ensure all dependent tools available in target environment.
- Test parallelization not explicitly documented in provided data; verify concurrent test execution capability for larger suites before adopting for high-volume scenarios.
- Docker image available (ovhcom/venom) but binaries also provided; choose deployment model based on CI/CD infrastructure.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- Heavy UI/frontend testing needs — While web executor exists, Venom is optimized for API and backend testing. More specialized tools (Cypress, Playwright) better suited for complex UI scenarios.
- Requiring tight load/performance testing — Venom is designed for functional integration tests, not load generation or performance benchmarking at scale.
- Needing extensive built-in reporting dashboards — Generates reports but lacks rich dashboarding. Results typically piped to external tools (Allure, Xray, etc.) for visualization.
- Highly specialized or proprietary protocol testing — Custom executors possible but require Go development. Out-of-box executors cover common cases (HTTP, script, IMAP, web).
License & commercial use
Apache License 2.0 (Apache-2.0). Permissive OSI-approved license allowing commercial use, modification, and distribution with Apache 2.0 standard terms (including patent protection and liability disclaimers). Requires license and copyright notice in derivative works.
Apache-2.0 is a permissive license suitable for commercial use. No restrictions on proprietary derivative works. Recommend review of your organization's legal policy for compliance with attribution and patent indemnification clauses. No commercial support or SLA information provided in available data.
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active |
| Documentation | Adequate |
| License clarity | Clear |
| Deployment complexity | Low |
| DEV.co fit | Good |
| Assessment confidence | High |
Variables can embed secrets; built-in secret variables noted but mechanism not detailed. YAML files containing sensitive data should be protected and not committed to public repos. Script and IMAP executors inherit security posture of underlying tools (subprocess, mail protocol). No WAF, encryption, or threat model discussion in provided data. For use in sensitive environments, audit executor implementations and variable handling.
Alternatives to consider
Postman/Newman
GUI-first API testing with strong collaboration features. Better for stateful API workflows and visual request building, but requires licensing for automation at scale.
Robot Framework
Keyword-driven testing in plain-text syntax, broader BDD/scenario support, and richer library ecosystem. Steeper learning curve but more powerful for non-technical stakeholders.
pytest (Python) + requests
Lightweight code-based testing with strong assertion syntax and plugin ecosystem. Better for teams comfortable with Python; less YAML overhead but requires programming.
Build on venom with DEV.co software developers
Venom enables cross-functional teams to author and automate API and integration tests as code. Evaluate a test suite in your CI/CD pipeline with our Docker image or binary today.
Talk to DEV.coRelated on DEV.co
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venom FAQ
Can I run Venom in a Docker container?
How do I integrate Venom with my CI/CD system?
Can non-developers write tests?
Does Venom support parallel test execution?
Software developers & web developers for hire
Our engineers ship open-source testing software for a living. DEV.co provides software development services, web development services, and ongoing support for teams standardizing on tools like venom.
Ready to streamline integration testing?
Venom enables cross-functional teams to author and automate API and integration tests as code. Evaluate a test suite in your CI/CD pipeline with our Docker image or binary today.