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).

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
• is disabled in fork mode.<br/>Change fork mode to…
• ' ' is disabled when per-module working directory is…
• error.message.unable.to.create.file

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

Appendix: 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();

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