atoum
Schedule commands to run later
TLDR
Initialize a configuration file
Run all tests
Run tests using the specified configuration file
Run a specific test file
Run a specific directory of tests
Run all tests under a specific namespace
Run all tests with a specific tag
Load a custom bootstrap file before running tests
SYNOPSIS
atoum [options...] [[directory|file]...]
PARAMETERS
-h, --help
Display help message
-V, --version
Show atoum version
--test-ext ext
Test file extension (default: .php)
-b, --bootstrap file
PHP bootstrap file path
--php path
PHP binary to execute
-d, --dir dir
Add test directory
-x, --exclude path
Exclude directory or file
-sf, --stop-on-failure
Halt on first failure
--coverage [format]
Generate coverage report
-r, --report reporter
Output format (dot, tap, etc.)
-c, --config file
Configuration file
-p, --php-path path
PHP path for tests
--min-coverage percent
Minimum coverage threshold
-l, --loop count
Loop tests N times
DESCRIPTION
Atoum is a simple, modern, and intuitive unit testing framework for PHP, emphasizing developer productivity and readable test code. The atoum command-line tool executes unit tests from specified files or directories, supporting fluent assertions, automatic mock generation, and loop testing for edge cases.
Key strengths include minimal boilerplate, natural PHP syntax without XML configs, and fast execution. It generates various reports (dot, TAP, xUnit, Clover) and integrates code coverage via Xdebug. Tests use a chainable API: $this->given($generator)->if($object->method()) for readable scenarios.
Ideal for TDD/BDD in PHP projects, atoum avoids PHPUnit's verbosity. It's standalone via PHAR, Composer-installable, and supports PHP 7.2+. Widely used in open-source and enterprise for its speed and simplicity, with CI/CD compatibility.
CAVEATS
Requires PHP 7.2+ and optional Xdebug for coverage. Not a standard Linux package; install via Composer (composer global require atoum/atoum) or PHAR. Tests must follow atoum conventions.
INSTALLATION
PHAR: curl -Lk https://github.com/atoum/atoum/releases/latest/download/atoum.phar -o atoum.phar
chmod a+x atoum.phar
Composer: composer require --dev atoum/atoum
BASIC EXAMPLE
atoum tests/ runs tests in tests/.
atoum.phar --bootstrap bootstrap.php --coverage=clover src/ for coverage.
ASSERTIONS
Uses fluent chains: $this->integer(42)->isEqualTo(42)
$this->mock(Class::class)->call('method')->returns('value')
HISTORY
Created by Frédéric Hardy in 2011 as a simpler PHPUnit alternative. First stable release 2012; evolved with PHP versions up to 8.3. Actively maintained on GitHub with 2k+ stars.
