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CoreBDD
What CoreBDD is
CoreBDD is a behavior-driven development framework for xUnit.net projects. It lets developers express tests as scenarios, either by giving each scenario its own class with Given, When, and Then methods, or by placing a scenario in one method and using step delegates. Method-based scenarios can also use xUnit InlineData for data-driven tests; class-based scenarios do not support that pattern yet.
Developers can start a .NET project from the CoreBDD template or add its NuGet package to an existing xUnit test project. An optional global dotnet CLI tool can run tests with Gherkin-style output, scaffold feature and scenario files, and convert between tests and Gherkin files. The optional CoreBDD.SpecGeneration library creates Gherkin feature files from tests, including after a test run. The README links to code snippets for VSCode. CoreBDD runs locally, supports Gherkin, and is distributed as source through a public GitHub repository as well as packages installed with dotnet commands. The project identifies its license as Apache-2.0 and its plan as free.
Who it suits
CoreBDD suits C# and .NET developers using xUnit.net who want to organize tests as behavior-focused scenarios with Gherkin support. It may be useful to teams that want optional command-line scaffolding or feature-file generation alongside their tests.
What it does well
- Free, open-source framework with an Apache-2.0 license.
- Supports scenario classes and method-based scenarios.
- Method-based scenarios support xUnit InlineData.
- Optional CLI runs tests with Gherkin-style output.
- Optional library generates Gherkin files from tests.
What to know first
- Class-based scenarios do not support data-driven tests yet.
- Designed for the xUnit.net testing framework.
Limits
The free plan is the BDD framework for xUnit.net. Class-based scenarios do not support data-driven tests; method-based scenarios support xUnit InlineData.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CoreBDD | BDD framework for xUnit.net | Free |
As github.com lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the public GitHub repository.
- Install the .NET project template, or add the CoreBDD NuGet package to an existing xUnit test project.
- Choose class-based scenarios with Given, When, and Then methods, or method-based scenarios with step delegates.
- Optionally install the global dotnet CLI tool for test output, scaffolding, and file generation.
- Optionally add CoreBDD.SpecGeneration to generate Gherkin feature files from tests.
Verdict
Choose CoreBDD if your C# or .NET project uses xUnit.net and you want behavior-oriented scenarios with Gherkin support. Look elsewhere if you need data-driven tests in the scenario-per-class style, which is not supported yet.
Questions
How much does CoreBDD cost?
The CoreBDD plan is free.
Is CoreBDD open source?
Yes. Its repository is public and identifies the license as Apache-2.0.
Which platforms does it support?
CoreBDD is self-hosted and runs locally in a .NET and xUnit.net project.
How can I install it?
The README describes a .NET project template and the CoreBDD NuGet package. It also documents an optional global dotnet CLI tool.
Does CoreBDD support Gherkin?
Yes. An optional CLI can work with Gherkin files, and CoreBDD.SpecGeneration can generate feature files from tests.
Facts from CoreBDD's own pages
- Command-line tool
- An optional CLI can run tests with Gherkin-style output, scaffold feature and scenario files, and generate tests or feature files from the other format. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Data-driven tests
- Method-based scenarios support data-driven tests using xUnit InlineData; class-based scenarios do not yet support them. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- CoreBDD is provided as source code in a public GitHub repository and as packages installed with dotnet commands. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Editor support
- The README links to code snippets for Visual Studio Code. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Gherkin generation
- The CoreBDD.SpecGeneration library can generate Gherkin feature specifications from tests. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The README documents installation through a dotnet project template, NuGet packages, and a global dotnet CLI tool. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Install options
- The README describes installing a .NET project template or adding the CoreBDD NuGet package to an existing xUnit test project. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The project is for developers writing BDD-style tests in xUnit.net, with repository topics including C#, .NET, and TDD. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository includes an Apache-2.0 license. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- CoreBDD is a behavior-driven development framework for xUnit.net. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Scenario styles
- Tests can be written as a scenario class with Given/When/Then methods or as scenarios in a single method. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Where CoreBDD stands on Freedom251
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