What is a test runner?

Test runner is a tool that lets you select and execute a test. Test runners can be used for both manual and automated tests.

Test runner for manual tests is a simple user interface that you can use to go through the test steps and define whether they passed or failed.

Test runner for automated tests is usually application or utility that extracts the list of automated tests from a test library, The list is then displayed and the user can select tests to be executed. The execution and the progress of each test is visualized together with the result - test either Passed or Failed.