k6 is a performance testing framework used to measure the scalability and stability of network services and APIs. It functions as a JavaScript load testing tool that uses a Go engine to simulate concurrent user traffic.
The tool enables the enforcement of service level objectives by comparing response time percentiles against quantitative performance thresholds. It also operates as a performance regression tool for continuous integration pipelines and a browser performance testing tool that executes scripts within a bundled headless browser instance.
Its capabilities cover workload scenario modeling using open and closed models, user traffic simulation via virtual users, and the validation of response accuracy. The framework also supports custom protocol extensions and the export of performance metrics after a test run.
The engine supports containerized test execution for consistent behavior across different deployment environments.
