Test Bell
A VS Code extension that plays a sound when a test run fails, and optionally when all tests pass.
Features
- Plays an audio alert when any test in a test run fails
- Optional sound on test success
- Cross-platform: macOS, Linux, and Windows
- Supports
.wav and .mp3 audio files
- Customizable fail and pass sounds
How It Works
Test Bell detects test runs from multiple sources:
- Terminal commands — Automatically recognizes test runners (
pytest, npm test, jest, go test, cargo test, etc.) and test file naming conventions (test_*.py, *.test.js, *.spec.ts, etc.) run in the integrated terminal
- VS Code Tasks — Catches tasks with the
test group or "test" in the task name from tasks.json
- Testing UI sidebar — Supports the VS Code Test Explorer (requires opt-in, see below)
Testing UI Support
The VS Code Testing UI (sidebar, inline "Run Test" buttons) uses a proposed API that isn't yet stable. Test Bell can use it, but you need to opt in.
Alternatively, you can pass the flag when launching from the terminal (applies to that session only):
code --enable-proposed-api jflbr.test-bell
Without this, Test Bell still works for terminal-based and task-based test runs.
Alternatively, open the Command Palette and run Preferences: Configure Runtime Arguments (this opens ~/.vscode/argv.json), then add:
{
"enable-proposed-api": ["jflbr.test-bell"]
}
You can also edit ~/.vscode/argv.json directly. Restart VS Code for the change to take effect. This persists across all launch methods (dock icon, code CLI, file associations).
To disable it, remove the entry from the array and restart.
Configuration
| Setting |
Type |
Default |
Description |
testBell.enabled |
boolean |
true |
Enable or disable the test bell |
testBell.playOnSuccess |
boolean |
true |
Play a sound when all tests pass |
testBell.volume |
number |
1 |
Volume level (macOS only, via afplay -v) |
testBell.failSound |
string |
"" |
Custom audio file for failures |
testBell.passSound |
string |
"" |
Custom audio file for passes |
Custom Sounds
You can specify custom .wav or .mp3 files for the fail and pass sounds.
Absolute path
{
"testBell.failSound": "/Users/me/sounds/buzzer.wav"
}
Relative to workspace root
{
"testBell.failSound": "sounds/fail-horn.mp3"
}
If the file doesn't exist or the format is unsupported, the extension falls back to the bundled default sound and shows a one-time warning.
Finding sounds
You can find a wide variety of sound effects at myinstants.com. Download an .mp3 or .wav file, place it in your project or anywhere on disk, and point the config to it.
| Platform |
.wav |
.mp3 |
| macOS |
afplay |
afplay |
| Linux |
aplay |
mpg123 |
| Windows |
PowerShell SoundPlayer |
wmplayer |
