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Guide · Open source

How to use Pest: a PHP testing framework guide

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

Pest is an open-source testing framework for PHP, the language behind many websites and web apps. It lets you write automated tests that check whether your code behaves as expected, using a concise, readable style. This guide explains what Pest is, who it suits, and what the project's README does and does not tell you, so you know where to go next.

Pestpestphp/pest · ★ 11.8k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Confirm PHP is installed. Pest is a PHP testing framework, so PHP must be available on your machine before anything else.
  2. 2Clone the repository. Run the git clone command from the README to get the source code locally.
  3. 3Read the official docs. Open pestphp.com for installation and setup steps, which the README excerpt does not include.
  4. 4Write a first test. Following the docs, write a small test for one function in your project to see Pest's readable syntax in practice.
  5. 5Compare with your current tool. If you already use PHPUnit or another PHP testing tool, compare how the same test reads in each.

What Pest is and what it does

Pest is a testing framework for PHP. Automated tests are small programs that run your code and check that the results match what you expect, so you can catch breakages before users do.

The project describes Pest as built for PHP developers and AI agents. The README excerpt we reviewed does not explain its features in detail, so check the official docs at pestphp.com for specifics.

Who Pest is for

Pest is a good fit for PHP developers who want to add automated tests to a project, and for teams that already use a PHP testing tool but want a more readable syntax. It is also relevant if you are interested in a testing framework that works with AI agents.

  • PHP developers adding automated tests to a project
  • Teams already using PHP testing tools who want more readable syntax
  • Developers interested in a testing framework that works with AI agents

Get the source code from the README

The README excerpt gives one command for getting the code. It clones the repository from GitHub. Pest is a PHP project, so you will need PHP installed to work with it.

The README excerpt does not include full installation or setup steps, so do not assume the clone command alone gets a project running. Use the official documentation for setup.

  • Prerequisite: PHP
git clone https://github.com/pestphp/pest

Where to find setup and learning resources

The project's homepage is pestphp.com, which links to its docs. The creator, Nuno Maduro, also publishes videos and live coding sessions on YouTube and Twitch, linked from the README.

Pest is released under the MIT license, which is stated in the README and on the Packagist badge.

  • Docs: https://pestphp.com
  • Creator's YouTube channel: youtube.com/@nunomaduro
  • Creator's Twitch channel: twitch.tv/nunomaduro

Pest compared with PHPUnit

PHPUnit is the comparable project named in our analysis. Both are PHP testing tools. Pest's stated appeal is its concise, readable style, so it is worth trying both on a small piece of code to see which reads better for your team.

We have not benchmarked the two, and the README excerpt does not compare them, so treat that as a question to test yourself.

What people use it for

  • Adding automated tests to a PHP website or web app
  • Replacing a hard-to-read test suite with a more readable one
  • Writing tests for a project where AI agents also contribute code

Frequently asked questions

Is Pest free to use?

Yes. The README states that Pest is open-source software licensed under the MIT license. Check the license file in the repository for the full terms.

What do I need to use Pest?

The README indicates you need PHP. The excerpt does not list other requirements, so check the official docs at pestphp.com.

How do I install Pest?

The README excerpt only shows a git clone command for the repository. It does not include full install steps, so follow the setup instructions at pestphp.com.

Does Pest work with languages other than PHP?

No. Pest is a testing framework for PHP and only works with that language.

What is the alternative to Pest?

PHPUnit is the comparable PHP testing project named in our analysis. Try both on a small project to see which style suits you.

Where can I learn Pest beyond the docs?

The creator, Nuno Maduro, publishes weekly videos on YouTube and holds live coding sessions on Twitch, both linked from the README.

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Our verdict

Pest is a good choice if you write PHP and want automated tests with a concise, readable syntax, and it is MIT licensed. If you do not use PHP, or you need detailed install and setup steps, the README excerpt will not give you enough, so look at the official docs or a different tool.

Install options & downloads