k6 Load Profiles Reference Profile Definitions Profile VUs Duration Stages Use Case minimal 5 1m Simple ramp Quick smoke test standard 25 9m Gradual ramp, sustain, ramp-down Realistic load validation aggressive 120 14m Rapid ramp to high load Stress/capacity testing Standard Stage Patterns Minimal stages: [ { duration: '20s', target: 3 }, { duration: '20s', target: 5 }, { duration: '20s', target: 0 }, ] Standard stages: [ { duration: '2m', target: 15 }, { duration: '5m', target: 25 }, { duration: '2m', target: 0 }, ] Aggressive stages: [ { duration: '3m', target: 80 }, { duration: '8m', target: 120 }, { duration: '3m', target: 0 }, ] Scenario Type Mapping Scenario Recommended Executor Profile Adjustment load ramping-vus Standard progression stress ramping-vus Aggressive + overshoot spike ramping-vus Rapid surge to peak soak constant-vus Extended duration smoke constant-vus Minimal VUs