Performance issues often surface only when it’s too late - after deployment, when real users start to feel the impact. Load testing helps prevent that, but many teams still see it as a complex or time-consuming task. This workshop aims to show how accessible and powerful it can be using k6, an open-source, developer-friendly tool designed for modern performance testing.The session starts with a short introduction to the fundamentals of load testing: what it is, when to use it, and the different test types supported by k6 - average, stress, spike, soak, breakpoint and smoke. Participants will also get a quick overview of how k6 works under the hood and how it integrates into a development workflow.From there, we’ll move into a hands-on, guided session, beginning with a simple GET request and gradually expanding it into a complete load testing project. Each step introduces a new concept: adding thresholds and stages, randomizing requests, implementing assertions, handling errors, and organizing the project using npm and Prettier. We’ll then extend the script with multiple endpoints, visualize live results on the web dashboard, and perform authenticated requests using JWT tokens.Throughout the workshop, I’ll share real-world experiences and lessons learned from conducting load tests on different projects—what to watch out for, common pitfalls, and how to interpret the results effectively.Participants will leave with both the theoretical foundation and practical skills to start creating their own performance testing setup using k6. All examples will be built live, and attendees can follow along on their own laptops. Only basic JavaScript knowledge is required.
Key takeaways:
- Understand the core principles of load testing and how to apply them effectively using k6 in real-world scenarios.
- Gain hands-on experience building and running performance tests step by step—from a simple request to a full, maintainable testing suite.
- Learn practical insights and troubleshooting techniques drawn from real project experiences, helping you avoid common pitfalls and get meaningful results faster.
