Pytest Quick Run

Fast, discovery-free pytest execution for large Python repositories.

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Pytest Quick Run adds ▶ Run ... and 🐞 Debug ... CodeLens buttons above pytest functions. They run only that pytest node directly:

python3 -m pytest path/to/test_math.py::test_add
python3 -m pytest path/to/test_math.py::TestMath::test_add

It does not call VS Code's test discovery API and does not scan the repository before every run. Pytest still performs its normal collection for the selected file/node, but unrelated test files are not discovered.

-s is enabled by default, so print() output is shown immediately in the integrated terminal. Debug requires the Microsoft Python and Python Debugger extensions.

When you click Run or Debug, a centered configuration panel opens in the editor before execution:

1. Additional pytest arguments, such as -s --maxfail=1 --tb=short
2. Environment variables in KEY=VALUE; KEY2=VALUE2 format

The settings below provide the default values shown in those dialogs. You can change them for a single run without editing settings.json.

After a run, the entered values are saved as the most recent configuration for the current workspace and restored the next time a test is launched.

Screenshots

Run and debug actions

CodeLens buttons appear above test_* functions in the editor.

Run and debug actions(https://github.com/ym-kang/vsce-quick-pytest/raw/HEAD/<images/Screenshot 2026-09-20 at 22.13.19.png>)

Run configuration

Configure pytest arguments and environment variables in the centered editor panel before each run.


Supported declarations

• Any Python file, regardless of its filename or directory
• Module-level test_* functions
• test_* methods inside Test* classes

Settings

• pytestQuickRun.pythonPath: Python executable. Empty uses the configured Python extension interpreter, then python3.
• pytestQuickRun.pytestArgs: additional pytest arguments. Defaults to ["-s"] so print() output is not captured. For example, ["-x", "--tb=short"].
• pytestQuickRun.environmentVariables: environment variables passed to both run and debug, for example { "APP_ENV": "test", "DJANGO_SETTINGS_MODULE": "config.settings" }.
• pytestQuickRun.cwd: pytest working directory. Empty uses the workspace root.

The command palette also provides Pytest Quick Run: Run Test at Cursor and Pytest Quick Run: Debug Test at Cursor.

Install from VSIX

Build the extension package locally:

npm install
npm run package:vsix

Then install pytest-quick-run-0.0.1.vsix from the VS Code Extensions view using Install from VSIX..., or run:

code --install-extension pytest-quick-run-0.0.1.vsix

Publish to the Marketplace

The extension is configured for the YoungmukKang Visual Studio Marketplace Publisher. Authenticate vsce with a Personal Access Token before publishing.

npm test
npm run package:vsix
vsce publish

The extension metadata points to the GitHub repository.

Development

npm install
npm run compile

Press F5 in VS Code to launch an Extension Development Host.