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Intern

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What Intern is

Intern is a free, open-source test system for JavaScript libraries and applications. Developers can write unit and functional tests in JavaScript or TypeScript, using TDD or BDD styles, and run them in Node.js or web browsers. Its test runner supports execution across multiple browsers and platforms, and Intern provides code coverage reporting.

The project can test web pages and native or hybrid iOS and Android application interfaces. For browser automation, it supports WebDriver-compatible tools and services, including Selenium, Appium, and Selendroid. Cloud testing options include BrowserStack, CrossBrowserTesting, Sauce Labs, and TestingBot; local runs can use a Selenium server or a user's own Selenium Grid. The homepage also lists integrations with Travis CI, Jenkins, and TeamCity. Custom test interfaces, executors, and reporters can be added through its extensible architecture.

Intern is available under the New BSD license. The product site links to GitHub downloads and provides `npm install intern` as the installation command. SitePen created Intern, and community support is available through Stack Overflow, Gitter, and IRC. The project README states that Intern does not support Internet Explorer 9.

Who it suits

Intern suits developers testing JavaScript libraries, web applications, or native and hybrid iOS and Android interfaces. It is also suited to teams that need browser or Node.js execution, code coverage, and integrations with a CI service or WebDriver-compatible testing setup.

What it does well

  • Free and open source under the New BSD license
  • Tests can be written in JavaScript or TypeScript
  • Runs tests in browsers and Node.js
  • Provides code coverage reporting
  • Supports cloud testing and local Selenium setups
  • Can be extended with custom interfaces, executors, and reporters

What to know first

  • Does not support Internet Explorer 9
  • Mobile application UI testing relies on tools such as Appium, ios-driver, or Selendroid

Getting started

  1. Open the Intern website and follow its GitHub downloads link
  2. Install Intern with `npm install intern`
  3. Write tests in JavaScript or TypeScript using a TDD or BDD style
  4. Run tests in Node.js, a browser, or across multiple browsers and platforms
  5. Connect a supported CI service, cloud testing service, or Selenium setup as needed

Verdict

Choose Intern if you need a free, extensible test system for JavaScript or TypeScript projects across Node.js, browsers, or mobile application interfaces. Teams that need Internet Explorer 9 support should look elsewhere.

Questions

Is Intern free?

Yes. Intern is free and open source under the New BSD license.

Which languages can I use to write tests?

Tests can be written in JavaScript or TypeScript, using styles such as TDD or BDD.

Where can Intern run tests?

Tests can run in Node.js and web browsers, including across multiple browsers and platforms. Intern can also test web pages and native or hybrid iOS and Android applications.

Which testing and CI integrations are available?

Listed options include Selenium, Appium, Selendroid, BrowserStack, CrossBrowserTesting, Sauce Labs, TestingBot, a local Selenium server, and a user's own Selenium Grid. The homepage also lists Travis CI, Jenkins, and TeamCity.

Does Intern support Internet Explorer 9?

No. The project README says Internet Explorer 9 is not supported.

Who created Intern?

The product site says Intern was created by SitePen and carries a © 2022 OpenJS Foundation notice.

Facts from Intern's own pages

Browser automation
Intern supports WebDriver-compatible applications and services, including Selenium, Appium, and Selendroid. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
CI integrations
The homepage lists Travis CI, Jenkins, and TeamCity as out-of-the-box integrations. · theintern.io, 8 Oct 2026
Cloud integrations
The homepage lists Sauce Labs, BrowserStack, TestingBot, and a user's own Selenium Grid for running tests. · theintern.io, 4 Oct 2026
Cloud testing
Intern has built-in support for BrowserStack, CrossBrowserTesting, Sauce Labs, and TestingBot. · theintern.io, 8 Oct 2026
Code coverage
Intern provides code coverage reporting. · theintern.io, 4 Oct 2026
Commercial help
The homepage says SitePen offers workshops and On-Demand Development assistance for Intern. · theintern.io, 8 Oct 2026
Compatibility limit
The project README says Intern does not support Internet Explorer 9. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Coverage
Intern provides code coverage reporting. · theintern.io, 8 Oct 2026
Documentation limitation
The documentation page says its viewer requires JavaScript and links to Intern project repositories on GitHub. · theintern.io, 8 Oct 2026
Execution
Tests can run in a browser, in Node.js, or across multiple browsers and platforms with the Intern test runner. · theintern.io, 4 Oct 2026
Extensibility
Intern supports custom test interfaces and reporters. · theintern.io, 8 Oct 2026
Install
The homepage links to GitHub downloads and says to install Intern with `npm install intern`. · theintern.io, 4 Oct 2026
License
The homepage identifies Intern as New BSD licensed. · theintern.io, 8 Oct 2026
Local testing
Intern supports a local Selenium server and a user's own Selenium Grid. · theintern.io, 8 Oct 2026
Maker
The product site says Intern is created by SitePen and © 2022 OpenJS Foundation. · theintern.io, 4 Oct 2026
Mobile testing
Intern can test native mobile application UIs through Appium, ios-driver, or Selendroid. · theintern.io, 8 Oct 2026
Purpose
Intern is a JavaScript testing framework for websites and applications. · theintern.io, 8 Oct 2026
Security
The GitHub repository links a security policy, but the opened product pages state no security certifications or compliance claims. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Support
The homepage says free community support is available through Stack Overflow, Gitter, and IRC. · theintern.io, 8 Oct 2026
Test languages
Intern supports writing tests in JavaScript and TypeScript. · theintern.io, 8 Oct 2026
Test targets
The project README says Intern can test web pages and native or hybrid iOS and Android applications. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Test types
Intern supports unit and functional testing, including tests run in browsers and Node.js. · theintern.io, 8 Oct 2026

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