> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/grafana/k6-docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Extensions Overview

> Extend k6 with custom functionality through JavaScript extensions, output formats, secret sources, and subcommands

With k6 extensions, you can extend the core k6 functionality with new features to support your specific reliability-testing needs.

## Extension types

k6 supports four types of extensions:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="JavaScript Extensions" icon="code" href="/extensions/create#javascript-extensions">
    Extend the JavaScript APIs available to your test scripts. Add support for new network protocols, improve performance, or add features.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Output Extensions" icon="database" href="/extensions/create#output-extensions">
    Send metrics to a custom file format or service. Add custom processing and dispatching methods.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Secret Source Extensions" icon="key" href="/extensions/create#secret-source-extensions">
    Provide secrets to your tests from external sources.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Subcommand Extensions" icon="terminal" href="/extensions/create#subcommand-extensions">
    Add custom CLI commands under the `k6 x` namespace for setup, validation, and integration tools.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Official vs community extensions

### Official extensions

These extensions are owned and maintained by Grafana Labs, with support for a wide range of k6 versions. Official extensions include:

* **k6/x/mqtt** - MQTT protocol support
* **k6/x/redis** - Redis database interaction
* **k6/x/sql** - SQL database testing
* **k6 browser** - Browser automation and end-to-end testing
* **xk6-disruptor** - Chaos testing and fault injection

Explore the full list in [Explore Extensions](/extensions/explore).

### Community extensions

Community extensions are developed by the k6 ecosystem, supporting specific versions. While not maintained by Grafana Labs, many provide valuable functionality for specialized testing needs.

<Note>
  Many extensions maintained by members of the k6 ecosystem are available on [GitHub](https://github.com/topics/xk6). These extensions aren't maintained nor audited by Grafana Labs.
</Note>

## Using extensions

There are two ways to use extensions in your k6 tests:

### Automatic extension resolution

Official and community extensions can be used without additional configuration. Simply import them in your test script:

```javascript theme={null}
import faker from 'k6/x/faker';

export default function () {
  console.log(faker.person.firstName());
}
```

Then run your script normally:

```bash theme={null}
k6 run script.js
```

<Note>
  To use community extensions, set `K6_ENABLE_COMMUNITY_EXTENSIONS=true`:

  ```bash theme={null}
  K6_ENABLE_COMMUNITY_EXTENSIONS=true k6 run test.js
  ```
</Note>

### Custom k6 binary

For custom extensions or output extensions, build a custom k6 binary using [xk6](https://github.com/grafana/xk6):

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Go and xk6 theme={null}
  xk6 build \
    --with github.com/grafana/xk6-sql@v0.0.1 \
    --with github.com/grafana/xk6-output-influxdb
  ```

  ```bash Docker on Linux theme={null}
  docker run --rm -u "$(id -u):$(id -g)" -v "${PWD}:/xk6" grafana/xk6 build \
    --with github.com/grafana/xk6-sql@v0.0.1
  ```
</CodeGroup>

Learn more in [Building Custom k6 Binaries](/extensions/bundle).

## Getting started

<Steps>
  <Step title="Explore available extensions">
    Browse the [Extensions catalog](/extensions/explore) to find extensions for your use case.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Try an extension">
    Start with an official extension like [xk6-disruptor](/extensions/xk6-disruptor) for chaos testing or [k6 browser](/extensions/browser) for browser automation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Build your own">
    Create custom extensions when you need specialized functionality. See [Creating Extensions](/extensions/create).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Why use extensions?

Extensions enable you to:

* **Test new protocols** - Add support for MQTT, Redis, gRPC, and more
* **Integrate with tools** - Send metrics to your preferred monitoring systems
* **Enhance performance** - Use Go's speed for computationally intensive operations
* **Customize workflows** - Add CLI commands for your specific testing process
* **Manage secrets** - Securely inject credentials from external vaults
* **Extend capabilities** - Add chaos testing, browser automation, and more

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Explore Extensions" icon="compass" href="/extensions/explore">
    Find extensions for your testing needs
  </Card>

  <Card title="Create Extensions" icon="hammer" href="/extensions/create">
    Build custom extensions in Go
  </Card>

  <Card title="Bundle Extensions" icon="box" href="/extensions/bundle">
    Build custom k6 binaries with xk6
  </Card>

  <Card title="xk6-disruptor" icon="bolt" href="/extensions/xk6-disruptor">
    Inject faults for chaos testing
  </Card>
</CardGroup>