After creating and configuring a runner instance, the build can be executed via the link:{javadocPath}/org/gradle/testkit/runner/GradleRunner.html#build--[GradleRunner.build()] or link:{javadocPath}/org/gradle/testkit/runner/GradleRunner.html#buildAndFail--[GradleRunner.buildAndFail()] methods depending on the anticipated outcome.

The following demonstrates the usage of the Gradle runner in a Java JUnit test:

Some IDEs provide a convenience option to delegate the "test classpath generation and execution" to the build.
In IntelliJ, you can find this option under Preferences... > Build, Execution, Deployment > Build Tools > Gradle > Runner > Delegate IDE build/run actions to Gradle.

* Generates dependencies (both external and inter-module)
* Generates download repositories (inc. local Maven repository)
* Adjusts Java compiler settings
* Supports packaging of sources, tests, and javadocs
* Supports TestNG runner
* Generates global exclusions from Maven enforcer plugin settings
* Provides <<build_init_plugin.adoc#sec:allow_insecure,an option for handling Maven repositories located at URLs using `http`>>

[[sec:allow_insecure]]