tape-six-proc

tape-six-proc is a helper for tape-six to run tests in separate processes. It works with Node, Deno, and Bun, and supports TypeScript natively without transpilation.

Why?

The standard tape6 runner uses worker threads. tape6-proc spawns each test file in its own subprocess instead, providing full process isolation. This prevents shared-state leaks and is useful when tests need a clean environment. TypeScript test files (.ts) run natively on modern Node, Deno, and Bun — no transpilation needed.

A control channel lets the runner stop workers mid-run: failOnce (flag O) drains the test files still in flight, and TAPE6_WORKER_TIMEOUT sets a per-worker time limit. Both cancel cooperatively (cleanup hooks run) with a force-kill backstop after TAPE6_GRACE_TIMEOUT. See Stopping tests early.

Install

npm i -D tape-six-proc

Quick start

1. Write tests using tape-six:

import test from 'tape-six';

test('example', t => {
  t.ok(true, 'truthy');
  t.equal(1 + 1, 2, 'math works');
});

2. Configure tests in package.json:

{
  "scripts": {
    "test": "tape6-proc --flags FO"
  },
  "tape6": {
    "tests": ["/tests/test-*.*js"]
  }
}

3. Run:

npm test

Cross-runtime usage

{
  "scripts": {
    "test": "tape6-proc --flags FO",
    "test:bun": "bun run `tape6-proc --self` --flags FO",
    "test:deno": "deno run -A `tape6-proc --self` --flags FO -r -A"
  }
}

Docs

See the wiki for full documentation. tape-six has its own wiki.

tape-six-proc uses the same test configuration and CLI conventions as tape-six.

Command-line utilities

• tape6-proc — the main utility of this package to run tests in different environments.

AI agents

If you are an AI coding agent, see AGENTS.md for project conventions, commands, and architecture.

LLM-friendly documentation is available:

• llms.txt — concise reference.
• llms-full.txt — full reference with architecture details.

Release notes

The most recent releases:

• 1.3.1 Updated dependencies (includes a workaround for Bun's stream bug).
• 1.3.0 Implemented the terminate protocol. Updated dependencies.
• 1.2.9 Added js-check, Bun + Deno CI, tuned dependabot. Updated dependencies.
• 1.2.8 Fixed Bun stdout flush bug. Added GitHub Actions CI. Updated dependencies.
• 1.2.7 Added --help and --version flags. Updated dependencies.
• 1.2.6 Updated dependencies. Added AI agent rule files. Improved workflows.
• 1.2.5 Synchronized with tape-six 1.7.6+. Simplified CLI via shared config utilities. Added --info flag. Fixed Deno stdout flush.
• 1.2.4 Synchronized with tape-six 1.7.4. Added Min reporter support. Improved docs and npm keywords.
• 1.2.3 Updated dependencies, cleaned up docs, added AI-friendly links and TS info.
• 1.2.2 Synchronized the implementation with tape-six 1.7.0.
• 1.2.1 Synchronized the implementation with tape-six 1.5.1.
• 1.2.0 Updated dependencies and synchronized the implementation with tape-six 1.5.0.
• 1.1.6 Updated dependencies.
• 1.1.5 Updated dependencies.
• 1.1.4 Updated dependencies.
• 1.1.3 Updated dependencies.
• 1.1.2 Fixed bug with Deno (spawned process can end before processing streams (stdout/stderr)).
• 1.1.1 Updated dependencies.
• 1.1.0 Added support for stdout/stderr and tape-six 1.3.4.
• 1.0.2 Fixed concurrency detection. Updated dependencies.
• 1.0.1 Updated dependencies.
• 1.0.0 The first official release.

See the full release notes for details.