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catchorg/Catch2

A header-based unit testing framework for C++ with simple assertions, BDD-style macros, and basic micro-benchmarking.

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What is it?

Catch2 is a unit testing framework for C++. Test names can be free-form strings, assertions are written as ordinary C++ boolean expressions, and sections let tests share setup and teardown code in a local way.

Beyond unit tests, Catch2 includes simple BDD macros and basic micro-benchmarking. Benchmarks are excluded from default runs and must be selected explicitly with the [!benchmark] tag.

The v3 line on the devel branch turns Catch2 from a single-header library into a normal library with multiple headers and separately compiled implementation. The v2.x branch continues to support C++11, and Catch1.x supports C++03.

Key features

  • 01Test names can be arbitrary strings rather than valid identifiers.
  • 02Assertions are written as normal C++ boolean expressions.
  • 03Sections share setup and teardown code locally within a test case.
  • 04Includes BDD-style macros for behavior-driven tests.
  • 05Provides basic micro-benchmarking, run via the [!benchmark] tag.
  • 06Has no external dependencies.

Use cases

  • Writing unit tests for a C++ codebase with minimal setup.
  • Practicing test-driven development (TDD) in C++ projects.
  • Adding quick micro-benchmarks alongside existing tests.
  • Organizing behavior-style specifications using BDD macros.

Things to know

  • The README says the documentation is still being updated for v3 changes, so some docs may lag behind the code.

In collections

Testing frameworks & test automation toolsFrameworks for building apps and websites

Topics

#cpp#testing#unit-testing#tdd#bdd#test-framework#benchmark#cpp14#framework#no-dependencies

FAQ

What is Catch2?
A header-based unit testing framework for C++ with simple assertions, BDD-style macros, and basic micro-benchmarking. Catch2 is a unit testing framework for C++. Test names can be free-form strings, assertions are written as ordinary C++ boolean expressions, and sections let tests share setup and teardown code in a local way.
Is Catch2 free to use? What license does it have?
Catch2 is open source under the BSL-1.0 license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is Catch2 still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to Catch2 was on Oct 8, 2026.
What can I use Catch2 for?
Writing unit tests for a C++ codebase with minimal setup. Practicing test-driven development (TDD) in C++ projects. Adding quick micro-benchmarks alongside existing tests. Organizing behavior-style specifications using BDD macros.
Where can I get Catch2?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/catchorg/Catch2

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