JetBrains/intellij-community · error · RuntimeConfigurationError

Associated scratch file not found

Error message

Associated scratch file not found

What it means

JavaScratchConfiguration.checkConfiguration throws RuntimeConfigurationError('Associated scratch file not found') when a scratch file URL is present but getScratchVirtualFile() resolves it to null — the URL points to a file that can no longer be found in the VFS (file deleted, moved, outside the workspace and not refreshed).

Source

Thrown at java/execution/impl/src/com/intellij/execution/scratch/JavaScratchConfiguration.java:72

  }

  @Override
  public boolean isBuildProjectOnEmptyModuleList() {
    return false;
  }

  @Override
  public void checkConfiguration() throws RuntimeConfigurationException {
    JavaParametersUtil.checkAlternativeJRE(this);
    final String className = getMainClassName();
    if (className == null || className.isEmpty()) {
      throw new RuntimeConfigurationError(ExecutionBundle.message("no.main.class.specified.error.text"));
    }
    if (getScratchFileUrl() == null) {
      throw new RuntimeConfigurationError(JavaCompilerBundle.message("error.no.scratch.file.associated.with.configuration"));
    }
    if (getScratchVirtualFile() == null) {
      throw new RuntimeConfigurationError(JavaCompilerBundle.message("error.associated.scratch.file.not.found"));
    }
    ProgramParametersUtil.checkWorkingDirectoryExist(this, getProject(), getConfigurationModule().getModule());
    JavaRunConfigurationExtensionManager.checkConfigurationIsValid(this);
  }

  @Override
  public RunProfileState getState(@NotNull Executor executor, @NotNull ExecutionEnvironment env) throws ExecutionException {
    final JavaCommandLineState state = new JavaApplicationCommandLineState<>(this, env) {
      @Override
      protected JavaParameters createJavaParameters() throws ExecutionException {
        final JavaParameters params = super.createJavaParameters();
        // After params are fully configured, additionally ensure JAVA_ENABLE_PREVIEW_PROPERTY is set,
        // because the scratch is compiled with this feature if it is supported by the JDK
        final Sdk jdk = params.getJdk();
        if (jdk != null) {
          final JavaSdkVersion version = JavaSdk.getInstance().getVersion(jdk);
          if (version != null && version.getMaxLanguageLevel().isPreview()) {
            final ParametersList vmOptions = params.getVMParametersList();

View on GitHub (pinned to be881553f2)

Solutions

1. Restore or recreate the scratch file with the same name under the Scratches directory, then re-run
2. Otherwise delete the broken configuration and create a fresh one by running the scratch file
3. If the file exists but is not found, trigger a VFS refresh (Synchronize, Ctrl+Alt+Y) and retry

// verify the URL resolves to a live VFS file before running
VirtualFile scratch = VfsUtil.findFileByURL(VfsUtilCore.convertFromUrl(url));
if (scratch == null || !scratch.isValid()) {
  return notify("Scratch file no longer exists — recreate it");
}

boolean scratchResolvable(JavaScratchConfiguration c) {
  return c.getScratchFileUrl() != null && c.getScratchVirtualFile() != null;
}

try {
  configuration.checkConfiguration();
} catch (RuntimeConfigurationError e) {
  // associated scratch vanished: offer to locate/recreate it
  offerScratchRestore();
}

When it happens

Trigger: The stored scratch file URL does not resolve to a VirtualFile: scratch deleted or renamed after the configuration was created, project opened on another machine, or the VFS has not yet refreshed the scratches directory.

Common situations: Syncing run configurations via version control or Settings Sync to machines that lack the scratch; deleting a scratch file from the Scratches tool window while its run configuration remains.

Related errors

• No main class specified
• No scratch file associated with configuration
• '{0}' is disabled when per-module working directory is confi
• {0} is disabled in fork mode.<br/>Change fork mode to &lt;no
• No JDK specified

AI-assisted analysis of JetBrains/intellij-community@be881553f2 (2026-08-14). Data as JSON: /api/errors/1de2fbf16b2847f1. Report an issue: GitHub.