pytest-dynamodb
DynamoDB fixtures for pytest.
What is this?
pytest-dynamodb is a pytest plugin for tests that need a running DynamoDB instance. It provides fixtures for both a managed local process and a connection to an already running instance.
Quickstart: first test
Install the plugin and your test dependencies.
Download and unpack DynamoDB Local (see AWS docs): https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazondynamodb/latest/developerguide/DynamoDBLocal.html Place extracted files in dynamodb_dir (default: /tmp/dynamodb), or choose another location and pass it via --dynamodb-dir when running tests.
Make sure Java is available in your environment (DynamoDB Local runs as a JAR).
Write a test that uses the built-in dynamodb fixture:
import uuid
def test_can_put_and_get_item(dynamodb):
table = dynamodb.create_table(
TableName="Test",
KeySchema=[{"AttributeName": "id", "KeyType": "HASH"}],
AttributeDefinitions=[{"AttributeName": "id", "AttributeType": "S"}],
ProvisionedThroughput={"ReadCapacityUnits": 10, "WriteCapacityUnits": 10},
)
_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
table.put_item(Item={"id": _id, "test_key": "test_value"})
item = table.get_item(Key={"id": _id})
assert item["Item"]["test_key"] == "test_value"
Run tests:
pytest
For a full example, see tests/test_dynamodb.py.
How to use
The plugin contains three fixtures:
dynamodb - function-scoped DynamoDBServiceResource fixture.
dynamodb_proc - session-scoped fixture that starts DynamoDB Local on first use and stops it at the end of the test session.
dynamodb_noproc - session-scoped fixture that connects to an externally managed DynamoDB instance (for example, Docker).
When to use which fixture:
Use dynamodb (default) when tests should manage a local process automatically.
Use dynamodb_noproc when DynamoDB is already running elsewhere and lifecycle is managed outside pytest.
Simply include one of these fixtures in your test fixture list.
You can also create additional client and process fixtures:
from pytest_dynamodb import factories
dynamodb_my_proc = factories.dynamodb_proc(port=None, delay=True)
dynamodb_my = factories.dynamodb("dynamodb_my_proc")
from pytest_dynamodb import factories
dynamodb_my_noproc = factories.dynamodb_noproc(host="dynamodb", port=8088)
dynamodb_my = factories.dynamodb("dynamodb_my_noproc")
Configuration
You can define settings in three ways:
Fixture factory argument
Command line option
Configuration option in pytest.ini
Precedence order:
Fixture factory argument
Command line option
pytest.ini option
DynamoDB option |
Fixture factory argument |
Command line option |
pytest.ini option |
Default |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Path to DynamoDB JAR directory |
dynamodb_dir |
–dynamodb-dir |
dynamodb_dir |
/tmp/dynamodb |
Host |
host |
–dynamodb-host |
dynamodb_host |
127.0.0.1 |
Port |
port |
–dynamodb-port |
dynamodb_port |
random |
AWS Access Key |
access_key |
–dynamodb-aws_access_key |
dynamodb_aws_access_key |
fakeMyKeyId |
AWS Secret Key |
secret_key |
–dynamodb-aws_secret_key |
dynamodb_aws_secret_key |
fakeSecretAccessKey |
AWS Region |
region |
–dynamodb-aws_region |
dynamodb_aws_region |
us-west-1 |
delay |
–dynamodb-delay |
dynamodb_delay |
false |
Example usage:
Pass as fixture factory argument:
from pytest_dynamodb import factories dynamodb_proc = factories.dynamodb_proc(port=8888)Use command line option:
pytest tests --dynamodb-port=8888Set in pytest.ini:
[pytest] dynamodb_port = 8888
Known issues
Parallel runs with a fixed --dynamodb-port may fail because workers contend for the same port.
Package resources
Release files for pytest-dynamodb 3.0.1
For a detailed explanation of source distributions (sdists) and built distributions (wheels), please see the package formats documentation.
Source distribution (sdist)
| File | Size | Uploaded | |
|---|---|---|---|
| pytest_dynamodb-3.0.1.tar.gz | 14.7 kB | Details |
Built distribution (wheel)
| File | Interpreter | ABI | Platform | Reset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| pytest_dynamodb-3.0.1-py3-none-any.whl | Python 3 | none | any | Details |
Total release size: 30.4 kB
Release files / pytest_dynamodb-3.0.1.tar.gz
| Download URL | pytest_dynamodb-3.0.1.tar.gz |
|---|---|
| Size | 14.7 kB |
| Tags | Source |
|
SHA-256 checksum How to use checksums |
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|
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Transparency logRelease files / pytest_dynamodb-3.0.1-py3-none-any.whl
| Download URL | pytest_dynamodb-3.0.1-py3-none-any.whl |
|---|---|
| Size | 15.6 kB |
| Tags | Python 3 |
|
SHA-256 checksum How to use checksums |
8f02a763c8ed689838d19d857424e1b14b19da04ee1ee2cfb270e207444c76c2
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| Upload date | |
|
Uploaded using Trusted Publishing? What is trusted publishing? |
Yes |
| Uploaded via |
twine/7.0.0 CPython/3.13.14
|
Provenance
Provenance describes where a file came from. On PyPI, provenance is shared via attestations, which provide a verifiable record of the build or publishing details. View details, limitations and caveats.
PyPI Publish Attestation
PyPI verified that this artifact, at this checksum, originated from the publisher listed below.
Signed by GitHub Actions, verified by PyPI on Sep 6, 2026.
Transparency log