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dotnet test

This article applies to: ✔️ .NET 6 SDK and later versions

Name

dotnet test - .NET test driver used to execute unit tests.

Description

The dotnet test command builds the solution and runs the tests with either VSTest or Microsoft Testing Platform (MTP). The test runner you use determines the available command-line options and behavior.

Note

Test runner selection is available starting with .NET 10 SDK. In earlier versions of .NET, tests are always executed with VSTest.

Choose a test runner

With the .NET 10 SDK and later versions, select Microsoft.Testing.Platform (MTP) in the global.json file:

{
    "test": {
        "runner": "Microsoft.Testing.Platform"
    }
}

Note

VSTest is a valid value for test runner. It is the current default and can be omitted.

Important

The dotnet test experience for MTP is only supported in Microsoft.Testing.Platform version 1.7 and later.

Starting with .NET 11 Preview 6, set the DOTNET_TEST_RUNNER environment variable to select the runner without changing global.json. The environment variable accepts VSTest or Microsoft.Testing.Platform, without regard to case, and overrides the global.json value:

$env:DOTNET_TEST_RUNNER = "Microsoft.Testing.Platform"
dotnet test

DOTNET_TEST_RUNNER=Microsoft.Testing.Platform dotnet test

If the environment variable is empty or contains an unrecognized value, dotnet test uses the global.json value. If neither setting selects a runner, dotnet test uses VSTest.

Test runner documentation

The available command-line options, behavior, and capabilities differ depending on which test runner you use:

  • dotnet test with VSTest - The traditional test platform, available in .NET 6 SDK and later. This is the default and only test runner in versions earlier than .NET 10 SDK. Provides comprehensive test discovery, filtering, and result reporting capabilities.

  • dotnet test with MTP - The modern testing platform, available in .NET 10 SDK and later. Offers faster test execution and more flexible test module selection.

Tip

For conceptual documentation about dotnet test, see Testing with dotnet test.

See also

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