nyc

Code coverage tool built on istanbul for subprocesses.

EstablishedOpen SourceLow lock-in

Pricing

Free tier

Flat rate

Adoption

Stable

License

Open Source

Data freshness

Aging · Jun 8, 2026

Overview

What is nyc?

nyc is a code coverage tool that works with subprocesses and is built on top of Istanbul. It helps developers measure the effectiveness of their test suites by identifying which parts of the code are being tested and which are not.

Key differentiator

nyc stands out as an open-source tool specifically designed to work seamlessly with subprocesses, offering detailed and accurate code coverage reports for JavaScript and TypeScript projects.

Capability profile

Capability Radar

Ease of StartEcosystemValueMaturityFlexibilityScale Ready

Honest assessment

Strengths & Weaknesses

↑ Strengths

Works with subprocesses to measure code coverage.medium

Built on top of Istanbul for robust coverage analysis.medium

Supports both JavaScript and TypeScript.medium

↓ Weaknesses

Steep learning curve for new usershigh

nyc's configuration options and integration with test runners can be complex, requiring significant time to fully understand.

Limited documentation on advanced usagemedium

The official documentation focuses mainly on basic setup and usage but lacks detailed examples for more complex scenarios such as custom reporters or integrations with CI/CD pipelines.

Performance overhead during testinghigh

nyc can introduce significant performance overhead, especially in large projects, which may slow down the test suite execution time.

Issues with subprocesses and coverage reportingmedium

Subprocess code coverage might not be accurately reported due to limitations in how nyc handles child processes and external modules.

Fit analysis

Who is it for?

✓ Best for

JavaScript and TypeScript projects needing detailed coverage reports.

Teams that require integration with subprocesses for accurate coverage analysis.

✕ Not a fit for

Projects requiring cloud-based code coverage services.

Developers looking for a web UI to manage their test coverage.

Cost structure

Pricing

Free Tier

Available

Open source — free to use

Starts at

$0

Model

Flat rate

Enterprise

None

Performance benchmarks

How Fast Is It?

Ecosystem

Relationships

Next step

Get Started with nyc

Step-by-step setup guide with code examples and common gotchas.

View Setup Guide →