Kotest Crash On Non-Kotlin Project: Troubleshooting

by SLV Team 52 views

Hey guys, are you experiencing a Kotest crash when opening a non-Kotlin project? That's a real bummer, but don't worry; we'll walk through the issue. It looks like the Kotest IntelliJ plugin is trying to analyze the project even if there's no Kotlin code involved. This can lead to the org.jetbrains.kotlin.analysis.api.impl.base.sessions.ProhibitedAnalysisException error, as the analysis is being called on the Event Dispatch Thread (EDT), which is a no-no. In essence, the Kotest plugin, which is designed to work with Kotlin, is being triggered even in projects where it shouldn't be, causing the IDE to choke. Let's dive into how to fix this, shall we?

Understanding the Root Cause of the Kotest Crash

Let's get down to the bottom of this. The key here is understanding that the Kotest plugin is designed to integrate with Kotlin projects to identify and run tests. The error message Analysis is not allowed: Called in the EDT thread tells us that the plugin is trying to do something it shouldn't be doing on the main thread. The EDT is responsible for handling UI events, and performing time-consuming operations here can freeze the IDE, leading to the crash. This crash usually happens because the plugin incorrectly assumes that a project is a Kotlin project, or it's too eager to start analyzing code, even when it's not needed. The stack trace points to the io.kotest.plugin.intellij package, which means the plugin is the likely culprit. It is attempting to use Kotlin analysis APIs when it should not. We need to find a way to prevent the plugin from starting its analysis when it's not relevant to the project.

Digging into the Error Details

The stack trace provides some valuable clues. Lines like io.kotest.plugin.intellij.psi.SuperClassesKt.getAllSuperClasses and io.kotest.plugin.intellij.psi.SpecsKt.isSpec show the plugin's attempt to identify and analyze test classes. The SmartModeScheduler is a part of IntelliJ that manages background tasks, and the error occurs within it. The plugin seems to be running these checks during the project's initialization phase, which is where the problem begins. This is probably why the crash occurs when you open the project, not when you are actively working on it. This initial scan is what's tripping up the Kotest plugin, making it try to analyze files that are not even Kotlin.

Potential Solutions and Workarounds

Okay, so now we know the problem. The million-dollar question is how to fix it. Let's look at some practical ways to get things back on track.

1. Project-Specific Configuration

One of the most straightforward solutions is to configure the Kotest plugin on a per-project basis. While I'm unsure if there's a direct setting within the Kotest plugin, IntelliJ often allows you to disable or enable plugins for specific projects. You could try disabling the Kotest plugin entirely for non-Kotlin projects. To do this:

  1. Go to File > Settings > Plugins. (Or IntelliJ IDEA > Preferences > Plugins on macOS).
  2. Find the Kotest plugin in the list.
  3. Click the checkbox to disable it for the specific non-Kotlin project. You might have to restart IntelliJ for the changes to take effect.

This prevents the plugin from even attempting to interact with your project. This is by far the most effective, however, it does require manual intervention for each new non-Kotlin project you encounter.

2. Plugin Updates and Compatibility

Ensure that your Kotest plugin is up to date. The issue could be caused by a bug in the plugin that has already been addressed in a newer version. Go to File > Settings > Plugins and check for updates. Make sure the plugin is compatible with your IntelliJ IDEA version. Sometimes, plugins have version dependencies, and if these aren't met, you could run into compatibility issues.

3. File Type Exclusions

While less likely to be a direct fix, you can try configuring IntelliJ to exclude specific file types from indexing. If the plugin is trying to analyze certain files it shouldn't, excluding them might help. This is a bit of a shot in the dark, but if you suspect specific files are triggering the analysis, this might be a way to prevent it. However, this is unlikely to resolve the core issue if it's a general project initialization problem.

4. Check for IDE Configuration Issues

Sometimes, the issue isn't with the plugin itself but with the IDE's settings or caching.

  • Invalidate Caches and Restart: Go to File > Invalidate Caches / Restart... and choose Invalidate and Restart. This clears out cached data and restarts the IDE, which can resolve various issues.
  • Check Project SDK: Ensure your project's SDK is correctly configured. Go to File > Project Structure > Project. Make sure the correct SDK is selected. If the wrong SDK is selected, it could cause issues during project initialization.

5. Reporting the Issue

If none of the above solutions work, it's essential to report the issue to the Kotest developers. Open an issue on the Kotest GitHub repository, providing all the details:

  • Kotest Version: (You've already got this)
  • IntelliJ IDEA Version: Include the version of your IDE.
  • Error Message: Copy and paste the full error message.
  • Steps to Reproduce: Explain how to trigger the error.
  • Project Type: Describe the type of project (e.g., Java, Python, etc.).

By reporting the bug, you contribute to fixing the problem for everyone.

Detailed Troubleshooting Steps

Let's break down a more comprehensive, step-by-step approach to fixing this crash. This builds on the previous solutions but provides more detail.

1. Initial Diagnosis

  • Reproduce the Error: Open the non-Kotlin project and observe if the crash happens consistently.
  • Review the Stack Trace: The stack trace you provided is crucial. Understand what's happening: The Kotest plugin is calling Kotlin analysis APIs on the EDT.

2. Plugin Management and Configuration

  • Disable the Plugin (Recommended): Go to File > Settings > Plugins and disable Kotest for this specific project. This is the fastest way to prevent the crash.
  • Check Plugin Settings: Explore the Kotest plugin settings (if any) for project-specific configurations.
  • Update the Plugin: Check for plugin updates, as mentioned before.

3. Project-Specific Context and SDK Configuration

  • Check Project Structure: Open File > Project Structure. Verify the project's SDK (should be the correct Java SDK or other relevant SDK, but not a Kotlin SDK). Make sure the project modules are correctly configured.
  • Module Dependencies: Review module dependencies to ensure there's no unexpected dependency on Kotlin-related modules. This is less likely, but worth a check.

4. Advanced Troubleshooting

  • Monitoring Resource Usage: If the crash still occurs, monitor IntelliJ's resource usage (CPU, memory) to see if there's something else going on. The IDE may struggle with project indexing and analysis if resources are overloaded.
  • Review IntelliJ Logs: Check the IntelliJ logs (Help > Show Log in Finder) for more detailed error messages. The logs often provide valuable information about the root cause of the problem.

5. Last Resort and Reporting

  • Clean Build and Rebuild: Try cleaning and rebuilding the project. This can resolve any inconsistencies in the build process.
  • Contact Support: If none of these solutions work, it's best to contact Kotest support and report the issue. Provide all the details you've gathered. Be patient, because the developers are busy.

Proactive Measures for Future Projects

Alright, guys, let's talk about staying ahead of the game. These tips can help prevent this issue from popping up again in future projects:

1. Project Setup Best Practices

  • Initial Project Setup: When creating a new project, clearly define the project type. If it's not a Kotlin project, ensure your build files (e.g., pom.xml for Maven, build.gradle for Gradle) do not include unnecessary Kotlin dependencies.
  • Dependency Management: Carefully manage project dependencies. Only include the necessary libraries. Avoid pulling in Kotlin-related dependencies if they are not needed.

2. IDE and Plugin Awareness

  • Plugin Reviews: Always check plugin reviews and ratings before installing a plugin. Sometimes, a plugin may have known compatibility issues.
  • Stay Informed: Subscribe to the Kotest project updates, and follow discussions about plugins to stay informed about potential issues and solutions.

Conclusion: Keeping Your IDE Happy

So, there you have it, my friends. This is an annoying problem, but hopefully, this guide has equipped you with the knowledge to tackle that pesky Kotest crash on non-Kotlin projects. Remember the key takeaways:

  • Identify the Root Cause: The Kotest plugin's over-eagerness to analyze code.
  • Project-Specific Configuration: The most effective solution is to disable or configure the plugin.
  • Stay Updated: Always update plugins and the IDE.
  • Report Issues: Help the community by reporting issues to the developers.

By following these steps and staying proactive, you can ensure a smooth coding experience and keep your IntelliJ IDEA happy and productive, even when dealing with multiple project types. Remember to bold and italicize the key steps. Happy coding, guys!