YAKS

Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hostedWindows

What YAKS is

YAKS is a free framework for cloud-native behavior-driven testing on Kubernetes. Teams write tests as Gherkin feature specifications, then use the yaks command-line tool to install the operator and run those tests on a Kubernetes cluster. The operator prepares a runtime from a Test custom resource, and each test runs as a Kubernetes pod. Integrations cover HTTP REST, JMS, Kafka, and Knative eventing. The yaks-http module can call REST endpoints, verify responses, or provide a service that receives requests and simulates replies. The yaks-camel module manages Apache Camel routes and exposes more than 300 Camel components for testing, while Camel K bindings support integrations on Kubernetes or OpenShift. OpenAPI specifications can supply operations and test data for REST calls. Tests can load credentials and connection URLs from labeled Kubernetes secrets. YAKS also documents Selenium and Testcontainers testing, and builds on Citrus for endpoint connections. It requires Kubernetes or OpenShift access; roles and custom resources may need administrator rights. Full Windows support requires WSL and a reboot. The repository uses Apache-2.0 licensing.

Who it suits

YAKS suits teams writing Gherkin-based behavior tests for services and integrations running on Kubernetes or OpenShift. It is aimed at users who can provide cluster access and required permissions.

What it does well

Free framework
Gherkin feature specifications
HTTP, JMS, Kafka, and Knative steps
Apache Camel and Camel K integrations
OpenAPI-based REST testing

What to know first

Requires Kubernetes or OpenShift access
Setup may need administrator permissions
Full Windows support requires WSL and reboot
Tests run as Kubernetes pods

Getting started

Open the YAKS website
Ensure access to a Kubernetes or OpenShift cluster
Install the YAKS operator with the yaks CLI
Write BDD feature specifications in Gherkin
Create a Test custom resource for the test runtime
Run the tests with the yaks CLI

Verdict

YAKS combines Gherkin behavior testing with Kubernetes execution and integrations across REST, messaging, Camel, and OpenAPI. Cluster access and administrative setup are central requirements.

Questions

Is YAKS free?

Yes. YAKS has a free pricing model and a free plan.

Which systems can run YAKS?

YAKS supports Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted environments. Full Windows support requires enabling Windows Subsystem for Linux and rebooting.

What cluster does YAKS require?

YAKS requires access to a Kubernetes or OpenShift cluster. Installing custom resource definitions and roles may require cluster-admin permissions.

Which integrations are included?

Predefined steps support HTTP REST, JMS, Kafka, and Knative eventing. Modules cover Apache Camel, Camel K, and OpenAPI; documentation includes Selenium and Testcontainers testing steps.

What license does YAKS use?

The YAKS repository is published under the Apache-2.0 license.

Where can users get support?

Support channels include documentation, GitHub issues, and Zulip chat. The Citrus team also offers consulting, training, implementation help, patches, and custom features.

Facts from YAKS's own pages

Additional testing: YAKS documentation includes OpenAPI, Selenium and Testcontainers testing steps. · citrusframework.org, 1 Oct 2026
BDD syntax: YAKS tests use feature specifications written in Gherkin syntax. · citrusframework.org, 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
Citrus integration: YAKS builds on Citrus for connecting to endpoints as a client or server. · citrusframework.org, 1 Oct 2026
CLI: The yaks CLI installs the operator and runs tests on a Kubernetes cluster. · 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
Cluster requirement: Using YAKS requires access to a Kubernetes or OpenShift cluster. · 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
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
License: Citrus is published free of charge under the Apache License, Version 2.0, including use for commercial applications. · 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
Messaging integrations: Predefined steps support HTTP REST, JMS, Kafka and Knative eventing transports. · 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
Permissions: Installing YAKS custom resource definitions and roles may require cluster-admin permissions. · citrusframework.org, 1 Oct 2026
Purpose: YAKS is a framework for cloud-native behavior-driven development testing on Kubernetes. · 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
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
Support: The Citrus team offers consulting, training, implementation help, patches, and custom features, with user and developer mailing lists. · 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
Test language: YAKS tests use BDD feature specifications written in Gherkin syntax. · github.com, 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
Windows support: Full Windows support requires enabling Windows Subsystem for Linux and rebooting the system. · citrusframework.org, 1 Oct 2026

Where YAKS stands on Freedom251

BDD Testing Tools#25 of 30