Install & Compatibility
Where this runs
tested against v5.2.2 · pip install
no network on importno background threads
Install × environment matrix
Each cell = how many times install + import succeeded across repeated harness runs. Partial = flaky.
glibc = Debian/Ubuntu slim · musl = Alpine Linux
muslpy 3.10–3.915 runs
installs and imports cleanly · install 0.0s · import 0.000s · 24.4MB
glibcpy 3.10–3.915 runs
installs and imports cleanly · install 2.0s · import 0.000s · 25MB
23MB installed
● package 23MB
Code
Verified usage
Verified import paths — ran on the pinned version, not inferred.
PabotLib
✓ Library pabot.PabotLib
Pabot is primarily a command-line tool. 'pabot.PabotLib' is a Robot Framework library used within .robot files for managing parallel execution resources (e.g., locks, shared values). Direct Python import of 'pabot' for test execution is not the typical usage pattern.
This quickstart creates a simple Robot Framework test suite and demonstrates how to run it in parallel using Pabot. By default, Pabot splits execution at the suite level.
mkdir tests
cat << EOF > tests/my_suite.robot
*** Settings ***
Library OperatingSystem
*** Test Cases ***
Example Test 1
Log To Console Running Test 1
Sleep 1s
Example Test 2
Log To Console Running Test 2
Sleep 2s
Example Test 3
Log To Console Running Test 3
Sleep 1s
EOF
pabot tests/
pabot --version
Debug
Known issues
breakingPabot 5.0.0 introduced significant internal changes, particularly in subprocess handling, artifact management, and ordering logic. Users with heavily customized execution workflows or older Robot Framework versions may experience unexpected behavior.fixReview the Pabot 5.0.0 release notes and GitHub changelog for detailed breaking changes and adjust test setup or custom scripts accordingly. Ensure compatibility with your Robot Framework version.
affects: >=5.0.0
gotchaWhen running tests in parallel, shared resources (e.g., files, databases, specific test accounts) can lead to conflicts or data corruption. PabotLib keywords like 'Acquire Lock' and 'Release Lock' are essential for managing access to such resources.fixIntegrate 'Library pabot.PabotLib' into your Robot Framework test files and use 'Acquire Lock' and 'Release Lock' keywords around sections of tests that access shared resources. Consider using resource files with PabotLib for shared variables.
affects: All versions
gotchaPabot by default splits execution at the 'suite level.' If your goal is to parallelize individual test cases within a single suite, you must explicitly use the '--testlevelsplit' option. Not using this option when desired can lead to less effective parallelization.fixTo split tests at the test case level for more granular parallelism, add `--testlevelsplit` to your Pabot command: `pabot --testlevelsplit [path to tests]`.
affects: All versions
gotchaA `KeyError: 'ordering'` could occur when using the `--chunk` option in conjunction with an ordering file. This specific bug was fixed in Pabot 5.2.2.fixUpgrade to Pabot 5.2.2 or later: `pip install -U robotframework-pabot`. If unable to upgrade, avoid using `--chunk` with `--ordering`.
affects: <5.2.2
gotchaThere have been reported compatibility issues between Pabot and Robot Framework 7.0, particularly concerning the cumulative behavior of `--include` arguments, which could lead to unexpected test execution (e.g., tests running multiple times). While patched in later Pabot versions, this highlights the need for careful version alignment.fixEnsure you are using Pabot version 5.2.0 or newer when running with Robot Framework 7.0 or later. Always check release notes for compatibility when upgrading major versions of either library.
affects: Pabot <5.2.0 (with Robot Framework 7.0)
Upgrade
Version history
5.2.2latest on PyPI · released Feb 18, 2026
Audit
Dependencies
robotframeworkrequiredCore dependency for running Robot Framework tests. Starting from Pabot 5.2.0, this is the primary mandatory dependency.
robotframework-stacktraceoptionalProvides improved fail/error logging in sub-Robot processes. Optional since Pabot 5.2.0.