pestphp/pest · error · TestCaseAlreadyInUse

The test case [%s] may not be used here. The folder [%s] is

Error message

The test case [%s] may not be used here. The folder [%s] is already bound to the test case [%s].

What it means

Error "The test case [%s] may not be used here. The folder [%s] is already bound to the test case [%s]." thrown in pestphp/pest.

Source

Thrown at src/Repositories/TestRepository.php:164

            }
        }

        $this->make($this->testCases[$filename]);
    }

    private function make(TestCaseFactory $testCase): void
    {
        $startsWith = static fn (string $target, string $directory): bool => Str::startsWith($target, $directory.DIRECTORY_SEPARATOR);

        foreach ($this->uses as $path => $uses) {
            [$classOrTraits, $groups, $hooks] = $uses;

            if ((! is_dir($path) && $testCase->filename === $path) || (is_dir($path) && $startsWith($testCase->filename, $path))) {
                foreach ($classOrTraits as $class) {
                    /** @var string $class */
                    if (class_exists($class)) {
                        if ($testCase->class !== TestCase::class) {
                            throw new TestCaseAlreadyInUse($testCase->class, $class, $testCase->filename);
                        }
                        $testCase->class = $class;
                    } elseif (trait_exists($class)) {
                        $testCase->traits[] = $class;
                    }
                }

                foreach ($testCase->methods as $method) {
                    foreach ($groups as $group) {
                        $method->attributes[] = new Attribute(
                            Group::class,
                            [$group],
                        );
                    }
                }

                foreach ($testCase->methods as $method) {
                    $method->groups = [...$groups, ...$method->groups];

View on GitHub (pinned to 1af74a215c)

When it happens

Trigger: Thrown at src/Repositories/TestRepository.php:164 when the library encounters an invalid state.

Common situations: See trigger scenarios.

AI-assisted analysis of pestphp/pest@1af74a215c (2026-08-21). Data as JSON: /api/errors/592ba4d317b05c47. Report an issue: GitHub.