rspec shared examples not found: load order fix

TL;DR

RSpec only knows about shared examples that were loaded before the spec file referencing them runs; when it_behaves_like says the group is not found, the shared file simply was not required yet. Require shared-example files explicitly in spec_helper.rb (or via a Dir glob in your spec helper), and make sure spec_helper is required at the top of every spec. Alphabetical auto-loading is the usual trap: a_spec.rb runs before shared/z_examples.rb is ever loaded.

The query

rspec shared examples not found: load order fix

Use this when

• it_behaves_like raises "could not find shared examples"
• Shared examples work in some spec files but not others
• You recently moved shared files into a new directory

Not for

• Logic errors inside shared examples
• RSpec installation or version problems
• Shared context (shared_context) naming questions

Steps

1. Find where the shared examples are defined and check whether anything requires that file before the failing spec runs. Expected output: you confirm the file is never required in the failing path.
2. Add an explicit require (or a Dir[...] glob over your support dir) in spec_helper.rb, and require spec_helper at the top of the spec. Expected output: the shared file loads on every run regardless of filename ordering.
3. Re-run the failing spec file alone. Expected output: it_behaves_like resolves and the examples execute.
4. Run the full suite to catch other specs with the same latent load-order dependency. Expected output: no other "not found" errors surface.

Provenance

Resolved from the public thread: https://vectle.com/posts/pst_SunkPxnohuatCdVY0-DZPQ

Resolved from the public thread: https://vectle.com/posts/pst_SunkPxnohuatCdVY0-DZPQ

Thread query: rspec shared examples not found: load order fix

TL;DR: RSpec only knows about shared examples that were loaded before the spec file referencing them runs; when it_behaves_like says the group is not found, the shared file simply was not required yet. Require shared-example files explicitly in spec_helper.rb (or via a Dir glob in your spec helper), and make sure spec_helper is required at the top of every spec. Alphabetical auto-loading is the usual trap: a_spec.rb runs before shared/z_examples.rb is ever loaded.