Install k6

k6 has packages for Linux, Mac, and Windows. Alternatively, you can use a Docker container or a standalone binary.

You can also use k6 Studio, a desktop application that helps you generate k6 scripts from browser recordings without writing code. Learn more in the k6 Studio section.

Choose your platform

macOS
Linux
Windows
Docker
Binary

Install k6 using Homebrew:

brew install k6

Verify the installation:

k6 version

Upgrade k6

To upgrade to the latest version:

brew upgrade k6

Debian/Ubuntu
Fedora/CentOS

Add the k6 repository and install:

sudo gpg -k
sudo gpg --no-default-keyring --keyring /usr/share/keyrings/k6-archive-keyring.gpg --keyserver hkp://keyserver.ubuntu.com:80 --recv-keys C5AD17C747E3415A3642D57D77C6C491D6AC1D69
echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/k6-archive-keyring.gpg] https://dl.k6.io/deb stable main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/k6.list
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install k6

Verify the installation:

k6 version

Upgrade k6

To upgrade to the latest version:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install k6

Install using dnf (or yum on older versions):

sudo dnf install https://dl.k6.io/rpm/repo.rpm
sudo dnf install k6

Verify the installation:

k6 version

Upgrade k6

To upgrade to the latest version:

sudo dnf upgrade k6

Windows Package Manager
Chocolatey
MSI Installer

Install using the Windows Package Manager:

winget install k6 --source winget

Verify the installation:

k6 version

Upgrade k6

To upgrade to the latest version:

winget upgrade k6

Install using Chocolatey:

choco install k6

Verify the installation:

k6 version

Upgrade k6

To upgrade to the latest version:

choco upgrade k6

Download and run the latest official installer.After installation, verify from PowerShell or Command Prompt:

k6 version

Upgrade k6

Download and run the latest MSI installer to upgrade.

Pull the official k6 Docker image:

docker pull grafana/k6

Verify the installation:

docker run --rm grafana/k6 version

For browser testing

If you plan to run k6 browser tests, use the image with Chromium installed:

docker pull grafana/k6:master-with-browser

Running tests with Docker

To run a test script with Docker, you need to mount your script into the container:

docker run --rm -i grafana/k6 run - <script.js

The -i flag allows k6 to read the script from stdin, and < or cat pipes your script file into the container.

Download the standalone binary for your platform:

Visit the k6 GitHub Releases page
Download the archive for your operating system and architecture
Extract the archive
Move the k6 (or k6.exe on Windows) binary to a directory in your PATH

Verify the installation:

k6 version

Upgrade k6

Download the latest binary from the GitHub Releases page and replace your existing installation.

Using k6 extensions

If you want to use k6 extensions to add support for additional protocols or features, you need a k6 binary built with your desired extensions.

Browse extensions

Visit the k6 extensions catalog to find available extensions.

Build custom k6 binary

Use the k6 build service or build locally with xk6 to create a binary with your chosen extensions.

Replace standard k6

Use your custom k6 binary instead of the standard installation.

Popular extensions include:

xk6-kafka: Test Kafka producers and consumers
xk6-sql: Query databases directly
xk6-browser: Enhanced browser testing capabilities
xk6-disruptor: Inject faults in Kubernetes for chaos testing

k6 Studio

k6 Studio is a desktop application for Windows, macOS, and Linux that helps you generate k6 scripts from browser recordings without writing code.

Features

Generate protocol and browser test scripts from recordings
Test and debug scripts with a visual interface
No coding required for basic test creation

Installation

Refer to the k6 Studio installation guide for instructions.

k6 Studio and k6 CLI are separate tools. You can use k6 Studio to generate scripts and k6 CLI to run them.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter installation issues:

Check the common installation issues guide
Verify your system meets the requirements
Check for permission issues when installing globally
Try the Docker installation as an alternative

If your problem persists:

Open an issue in the k6 GitHub repository
Ask for help in the Grafana community forum

Configure your code editor

After installing k6, enhance your development experience by configuring your code editor:

VS Code

Install k6 TypeScript definitions for IntelliSense:

npm install --save-dev @types/k6

JetBrains IDEs

Add k6 type definitions to enable auto-completion and documentation hints.

Learn more in the Configure your code editor guide.

Next steps

Now that you have k6 installed:

Write Your First Test

Create and run your first k6 test script

Understanding Results

Learn how to interpret k6 metrics and output

Introduction

Quick Start

Install k6

Install k6

Choose your platform

Upgrade k6

Upgrade k6

Upgrade k6

Upgrade k6

Upgrade k6

Upgrade k6

For browser testing

Running tests with Docker

Upgrade k6

Using k6 extensions

k6 Studio

Features

Installation

Troubleshooting

Configure your code editor

VS Code

JetBrains IDEs

Next steps

Write Your First Test

Understanding Results

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Introduction

Quick Start

​Install k6

​Choose your platform

​Upgrade k6

​Upgrade k6

​Upgrade k6

​Upgrade k6

​Upgrade k6

​Upgrade k6

​For browser testing

​Running tests with Docker

​Upgrade k6

​Using k6 extensions

​k6 Studio

​Features

​Installation

​Troubleshooting

​Configure your code editor

VS Code

JetBrains IDEs

​Next steps

Write Your First Test

Understanding Results

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Install k6

Choose your platform

Upgrade k6

Upgrade k6

Upgrade k6

Upgrade k6

Upgrade k6

Upgrade k6

For browser testing

Running tests with Docker

Upgrade k6

Using k6 extensions

k6 Studio

Features

Installation

Troubleshooting

Configure your code editor

Next steps