---
title: "Where k6 fits | Grafana Labs"
description: "k6 as a developer-centric performance testing tool"
---

> For a curated documentation index, see [llms.txt](/llms.txt). For the complete documentation index, see [llms-full.txt](/llms-full.txt).

## k6 in the development workflow

**k6** is an open-source performance testing tool: JavaScript test scripts, **CLI** runs, optional **Grafana Cloud k6** execution and dashboards, and **CI/CD** integration via exit codes and thresholds.

- **Develop:** Write test scripts in JavaScript alongside application code.
- **Run locally:** Use **`k6 run`** locally or on a build agent for an instant end-of-test summary.
- **Run in Grafana Cloud k6:** Use **`k6 cloud run`** for stored runs and dashboards. Refer to [Grafana Cloud k6](/docs/grafana-cloud/testing/k6/).
- **Automate:** Reuse the same script in **CI/CD**; thresholds produce pass/fail without opening a UI.

For a fuller comparison of **local `k6 run`** and **`k6 cloud run`** , including commands and optional streaming to Grafana Cloud, refer to [Local vs cloud execution](../../02-your-first-test/11-local-vs-cloud/).