The project bindings (e.g. step definitions) could not be discovered. Navigation, step completion and other features are disabled.

[SerhiiPolehenko]

Used Visual Studio

Visual Studio 2022

Are the latest Visual Studio updates installed?

Yes

SpecFlow Section in app.config or content of specflow.json

<PackageReference Include="SpecFlow" Version="3.9.74" />
<PackageReference Include="SpecFlow.MsTest" Version="3.9.74" />
<PackageReference Include="SpecFlow.Tools.MsBuild.Generation" Version="3.9.74" />

Issue Description

Info Found V3.9.74.14555 at C:\Git\SystemTests\ScanItDental.SystemTest.WorkflowProcessingTest\bin\Debug\net6.0-windows\TechTalk.SpecFlow.dll
Info Chosen BindingRegistryFactoryBeforeV310000 for 309074
Error System.Reflection.TargetInvocationException: Exception has been thrown by the target of an invocation.
---> System.Reflection.ReflectionTypeLoadException: Unable to load one or more of the requested types.
Could not load file or assembly 'PresentationCore, Version=6.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35'. The system cannot find the file specified.
at System.Reflection.RuntimeModule.GetTypes(RuntimeModule module)
at System.Reflection.Assembly.GetTypes()
at TechTalk.SpecFlow.Bindings.Discovery.RuntimeBindingRegistryBuilder.BuildBindingsFromAssembly(Assembly assembly)
at TechTalk.SpecFlow.TestRunnerManager.BuildBindingRegistry(IEnumerable1 bindingAssemblies) at TechTalk.SpecFlow.TestRunnerManager.InitializeBindingRegistry(ITestRunner testRunner) at TechTalk.SpecFlow.TestRunnerManager.CreateTestRunner(Int32 threadId) System.IO.FileNotFoundException: Could not load file or assembly 'PresentationCore, Version=6.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35'. The system cannot find the file specified. File name: 'PresentationCore, Version=6.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35' --- End of inner exception stack trace --- at System.RuntimeMethodHandle.InvokeMethod(Object target, Span1& arguments, Signature sig, Boolean constructor, Boolean wrapExceptions)
at System.Reflection.RuntimeMethodInfo.Invoke(Object obj, BindingFlags invokeAttr, Binder binder, Object[] parameters, CultureInfo culture)
at System.Reflection.MethodBase.Invoke(Object obj, Object[] parameters)
at SpecFlowConnector.ReflectionExtensions.ReflectionCallMethod[T](Object obj, String methodName, Type[] parameterTypes, Object[] args) in D:\a\1\s\Connectors\SpecFlow.VisualStudio.SpecFlowConnector.Generic\NetExtensions\ReflectionExtensions.cs:line 26
at SpecFlowConnector.ReflectionExtensions.ReflectionCallMethod[T](Object obj, String methodName, Object[] args) in D:\a\1\s\Connectors\SpecFlow.VisualStudio.SpecFlowConnector.Generic\NetExtensions\ReflectionExtensions.cs:line 7
at SpecFlowConnector.SpecFlowProxies.BindingRegistryFactoryBeforeV310000.InvokeCreateTestRunner(TestRunnerManager testRunnerManager) in D:\a\1\s\Connectors\SpecFlow.VisualStudio.SpecFlowConnector.Generic\SpecFlowProxies\BindingRegistryFactoryBeforeV310000.cs:line 13
at SpecFlowConnector.SpecFlowProxies.BindingRegistryFactoryVLatest.CreateTestRunner(IObjectContainer globalContainer, Assembly testAssembly) in D:\a\1\s\Connectors\SpecFlow.VisualStudio.SpecFlowConnector.Generic\SpecFlowProxies\BindingRegistryFactoryVLatest.cs:line 62
at SpecFlowConnector.SpecFlowProxies.BindingRegistryFactoryVLatest.CreateTestRunner(Object globalContainer, Assembly testAssembly) in D:\a\1\s\Connectors\SpecFlow.VisualStudio.SpecFlowConnector.Generic\SpecFlowProxies\BindingRegistryFactoryVLatest.cs:line 55
at SpecFlowConnector.SpecFlowProxies.BindingRegistryFactory.<>c__DisplayClass2_0.b__2(Object container) in D:\a\1\s\Connectors\SpecFlow.VisualStudio.SpecFlowConnector.Generic\SpecFlowProxies\BindingRegistryFactory.cs:line 26
at FunctionalExtensions.Map[TSource,TResult](TSource this, Func2 fn) in D:\a\1\s\Connectors\SpecFlow.VisualStudio.SpecFlowConnector.Generic\NetExtensions\FunctionalExtensions.cs:line 5 at SpecFlowConnector.SpecFlowProxies.BindingRegistryFactory.<>c__DisplayClass2_0.<GetBindingRegistry>b__0(Object dependencyProvider) in D:\a\1\s\Connectors\SpecFlow.VisualStudio.SpecFlowConnector.Generic\SpecFlowProxies\BindingRegistryFactory.cs:line 17 at FunctionalExtensions.Map[TSource,TResult](TSource this, Func2 fn) in D:\a\1\s\Connectors\SpecFlow.VisualStudio.SpecFlowConnector.Generic\NetExtensions\FunctionalExtensions.cs:line 5
at SpecFlowConnector.SpecFlowProxies.BindingRegistryFactory.GetBindingRegistry(AssemblyLoadContext assemblyLoadContext, Assembly testAssembly, Option1 configFile) in D:\a\1\s\Connectors\SpecFlow.VisualStudio.SpecFlowConnector.Generic\SpecFlowProxies\BindingRegistryFactory.cs:line 16 at SpecFlowConnector.Discovery.SpecFlowDiscoverer.Discover(IBindingRegistryFactory bindingRegistryFactory, AssemblyLoadContext assemblyLoadContext, Assembly testAssembly, Option1 configFile) in D:\a\1\s\Connectors\SpecFlow.VisualStudio.SpecFlowConnector.Generic\Discovery\SpecFlowDiscoverer.cs:line 24
at SpecFlowConnector.Discovery.DiscoveryCommand.<>c__DisplayClass6_0.b__0(IBindingRegistryFactory bindingRegistryFactory) in D:\a\1\s\Connectors\SpecFlow.VisualStudio.SpecFlowConnector.Generic\Discovery\DiscoveryCommand.cs:line 27
at FunctionalExtensions.Map[TSource,TResult](TSource this, Func2 fn) in D:\a\1\s\Connectors\SpecFlow.VisualStudio.SpecFlowConnector.Generic\NetExtensions\FunctionalExtensions.cs:line 5 at SpecFlowConnector.Discovery.DiscoveryCommand.Execute(AssemblyLoadContext assemblyLoadContext) in D:\a\1\s\Connectors\SpecFlow.VisualStudio.SpecFlowConnector.Generic\Discovery\DiscoveryCommand.cs:line 25 at SpecFlowConnector.ReflectionExecutor.<>c__DisplayClass3_0.<Execute>b__6(DiscoveryCommand cmd) in D:\a\1\s\Connectors\SpecFlow.VisualStudio.SpecFlowConnector.Generic\ReflectionExecutor.cs:line 82 at FunctionalExtensions.Map[TSource,TResult](TSource this, Func2 fn) in D:\a\1\s\Connectors\SpecFlow.VisualStudio.SpecFlowConnector.Generic\NetExtensions\FunctionalExtensions.cs:line 5
at SpecFlowConnector.ReflectionExecutor.<>c__DisplayClass3_1.b__2() in D:\a\1\s\Connectors\SpecFlow.VisualStudio.SpecFlowConnector.Generic\ReflectionExecutor.cs:line 80
at EitherAdapters.Try[T](Func`1 act) in D:\a\1\s\Connectors\SpecFlow.VisualStudio.SpecFlowConnector.Generic\NetExtensions\Either\EitherAdapters.cs:line 40
Warning: AndDiscoveryProviderSucceed: The project bindings (e.g. step definitions) could not be discovered. Navigation, step completion and other features are disabled.
Please check the error message above and report to https://github.com/SpecFlowOSS/SpecFlow.VS/issues if you cannot fix.

Steps to Reproduce

No particular STR. Just updated project with latest SpecFlow and target switched to .net6.0-windows.
The issue is in that PresentationCore v6.0.0.0 can not be loaded.
true is added to csproj.

Link to Repository Project

No response

[eduardomottoni]

I was struggling with this problem more than one year. I will write the steps I took, and what apparently solve the problem

• Delete extension and reinstall - fail
• Put appsettings.json straight in the extension folder - fail
• Configure specflow.json with some parameters - plausible

{
  "$schema": "https://specflow.org/specflow-config.json",
  "Logging": {
    "LogLevel": {
      "Default": "Information",
      "Microsoft": "Warning"
    }
  },
  "specflow": {
    "stepAssemblies": [
      { "assembly": "<YOUR_PROJECT_NAME>/<STEP_DEFINITION_FOLDER>" }
    ],
    "bindingCulture": {
      "language": "en"
    },
    "unitTestProvider": {
      "name": "xUnit"
    }

  }
}

• Set absolute path for appsettings.json in dependency injection - plausible

[Binding]
public static class TestDependencies
{
    private class FunctionalTestsCredentials
    {
        public string TestActive { get; set; }
    }
    [GlobalDependencies]
    public static void RegisterServices(ContainerBuilder builder)
    {
        var services = new ServiceCollection();

        var basePath = Path.GetDirectoryName(Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().Location);
        var configBuilder = new ConfigurationBuilder()
            .SetBasePath(basePath)
            .AddJsonFile("appsettings.json", optional: false, reloadOnChange: true)
            .AddJsonFile("local.appsettings.json", optional: true, reloadOnChange: true);

At the end, it turns to recognize the steps again. I really hope it can help some of you guys struggling with this bug.

[ronaldoperes]

I got same problem, but after I updated the project to dotnet 8.

I updated Visual Studio to version 17.10.0 and specflow extension:

After I build the project, got this error in output:

Info: CheckProjectSettings: Project settings updated: .NETCoreApp,Version=v6.0,SpecFlow:3.9.74
Warning: AndDiscoveryProviderSucceed: Error during binding discovery.
.
.
.
Message:
System.IO.FileNotFoundException: Could not load file or assembly 'System.Runtime, Version=8.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a'. The system cannot find the file specified.
File name: 'System.Runtime, Version=8.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a'
at System.ModuleHandle.ResolveMethod(QCallModule module, Int32 methodToken, IntPtr* typeInstArgs, Int32 typeInstCount, IntPtr* methodInstArgs, Int32 methodInstCount)
at System.ModuleHandle.ResolveMethodHandleInternal(RuntimeModule module, Int32 methodToken, ReadOnlySpan1 typeInstantiationContext, ReadOnlySpan1 methodInstantiationContext)
at System.ModuleHandle.ResolveMethodHandle(Int32 methodToken, RuntimeTypeHandle[] typeInstantiationContext, RuntimeTypeHandle[] methodInstantiationContext)
at System.RuntimeType.GetMethodBase(RuntimeModule scope, Int32 typeMetadataToken)
at System.Reflection.RuntimeCustomAttributeData..ctor(RuntimeModule scope, MetadataToken caCtorToken, ConstArray& blob)
at System.Reflection.RuntimeCustomAttributeData.GetCustomAttributes(RuntimeModule module, Int32 tkTarget)
at SpecFlowConnector.ReflectionExecutor.Execute(DiscoveryOptions options, Func3 testAssemblyFactory, ILogger _log, IAnalyticsContainer analytics) in D:\a\1\s\Connectors\SpecFlow.VisualStudio.SpecFlowConnector.Generic\ReflectionExecutor.cs:line 15 at SpecFlowConnector.Runner.ExecuteDiscovery(DiscoveryOptions options, Func3 testAssemblyFactory) in D:\a\1\s\Connectors\SpecFlow.VisualStudio.SpecFlowConnector.Generic\Runner.cs:line 50
at SpecFlowConnector.Runner.<>c__DisplayClass4_0.b__0(ConnectorOptions options) in D:\a\1\s\Connectors\SpecFlow.VisualStudio.SpecFlowConnector.Generic\Runner.cs:line 30
at FunctionalExtensions.Map[TSource,TResult](TSource this, Func2 fn) in D:\a\1\s\Connectors\SpecFlow.VisualStudio.SpecFlowConnector.Generic\NetExtensions\FunctionalExtensions.cs:line 5 at SpecFlowConnector.Runner.Run(String[] args, Func3 testAssemblyFactory) in D:\a\1\s\Connectors\SpecFlow.VisualStudio.SpecFlowConnector.Generic\Runner.cs:line 26
Newtonsoft.Json.JsonReaderException: Unexpected character encountered while parsing value: D. Path '', line 0, position 0.
at Newtonsoft.Json.JsonTextReader.ParseValue()
at Newtonsoft.Json.JsonReader.ReadForType(JsonContract contract, Boolean hasConverter)
at Newtonsoft.Json.Serialization.JsonSerializerInternalReader.Deserialize(JsonReader reader, Type objectType, Boolean checkAdditionalContent)
at Newtonsoft.Json.JsonSerializer.DeserializeInternal(JsonReader reader, Type objectType)
at Newtonsoft.Json.JsonConvert.DeserializeObject(String value, Type type, JsonSerializerSettings settings)
at Newtonsoft.Json.JsonConvert.DeserializeObject[T](String value, JsonSerializerSettings settings)
at SpecFlow.VisualStudio.Connectors.OutProcSpecFlowConnector.Deserialize(RunProcessResult result, Func`2 formatErrorMessage)
Warning: AndDiscoveryProviderSucceed: The project bindings (e.g. step definitions) could not be discovered. Navigation, step completion and other features are disabled.
Please check the error message above and report to https://github.com/SpecFlowOSS/SpecFlow.VS/issues if you cannot fix.

So, it try to find 'System.Runtime, Version=8.0.0.0' after I updated project to use it.... but the latest version of it is:

https://www.nuget.org/packages/System.Runtime/

I did a test and rollback the project to .NET 6.0 and it work again.....

I hope specflow developer fix this soon for us use it with .NET 8

[phenixita]

Please fix this!

[SerhiiPolehenko]

I found a root cause of an issue, that should be fixed by SpecFlow plugin owner.
The problem is in that, here: C:\Users\MyUserName\AppData\Local\Microsoft\VisualStudio\17.0_c987e58d\Extensions\SomeHash\Connectors\specflow-vs.runtimeconfig.json
there is a missing runtime option, that is why necessary libs was missing in dependencies.

Here is a fixed file content which solves a problem !!!AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY SPECFLOW!!!

{
"runtimeOptions": {
"tfm": "net6.0",
"frameworks": [
{
"name": "Microsoft.NETCore.App",
"version": "6.0.0"
},
{
"name": "Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App",
"version": "6.0.0"
}
],
"configProperties": {
"System.Reflection.Metadata.MetadataUpdater.IsSupported": false
}
}
}

[SerhiiPolehenko]

Probably your versions can vary

[ronaldoperes]

I found a root cause of an issue, that should be fixed by SpecFlow plugin owner. The problem is in that, here: C:\Users\MyUserName\AppData\Local\Microsoft\VisualStudio\17.0_c987e58d\Extensions\SomeHash\Connectors\specflow-vs.runtimeconfig.json there is a missing runtime option, that is why necessary libs was missing in dependencies.

Here is a fixed file content which solves a problem !!!AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY SPECFLOW!!!

{ "runtimeOptions": { "tfm": "net6.0", "frameworks": [ { "name": "Microsoft.NETCore.App", "version": "6.0.0" }, { "name": "Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App", "version": "6.0.0" } ], "configProperties": { "System.Reflection.Metadata.MetadataUpdater.IsSupported": false } } }

I tried something and update this file - "specflow-vs.runtimeconfig.json" to:

{
"runtimeOptions": {
"tfm": "net8.0",
"framework": {
"name": "Microsoft.NETCore.App",
"version": "8.0.0"
},
"configProperties": {
"System.Reflection.Metadata.MetadataUpdater.IsSupported": false
}
}
}

I rebuild the specflow project and looks like it is working, doing more tests to confirm.

But anyway, specflow owner need to fix that.

[jimdeane]

Getting the same. Tried the fixes above and would answer.

Info: OnActivityStarted: Starting Visual Studio Extension...
Info: CreateProjectScope: Initializing project: End2EndTests
Info: OnSettingsInitialized: Project settings initialized: .NETCoreApp,Version=v8.0,SpecFlow:3.9.74
Warning: AndDiscoveryProviderSucceed: Error during binding discovery.
Command executed:
D:\Dropbox\source\Malue-Ltd\malue-poc\src\End2EndTests\bin\Debug\net8.0> C:\Program Files\dotnet\dotnet.exe exec c:\users\jim\appdata\local\microsoft\visualstudio\17.0_8fdfae02\extensions\bhrv5ykv.dty\Connectors\Generic-net7.0\specflow-vs.dll discovery D:\Dropbox\source\Malue-Ltd\malue-poc\src\End2EndTests\bin\Debug\net8.0\End2EndTests.dll ""
Exit code:
Message:
You must install or update .NET to run this application.

App: c:\users\jim\appdata\local\microsoft\visualstudio\17.0_8fdfae02\extensions\bhrv5ykv.dty\Connectors\Generic-net7.0\specflow-vs.dll
Architecture: x64
Framework: 'Microsoft.NETCore.App', version '7.0.0' (x64)
.NET location: C:\Program Files\dotnet\

The following frameworks were found:
6.0.30 at [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.NETCore.App]
6.0.31 at [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.NETCore.App]
8.0.5 at [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.NETCore.App]

Learn more:
https://aka.ms/dotnet/app-launch-failed

To install missing framework, download:
https://aka.ms/dotnet-core-applaunch?framework=Microsoft.NETCore.App&framework_version=7.0.0&arch=x64&rid=win-x64&os=win10
Cannot deserialize:
Warning: AndDiscoveryProviderSucceed: The project bindings (e.g. step definitions) could not be discovered. Navigation, step completion and other features are disabled.
Please check the error message above and report to https://github.com/SpecFlowOSS/SpecFlow.VS/issues if you cannot fix.
Warning: AndDiscoveryProviderSucceed: Error during binding discovery.
Command executed:
D:\Dropbox\source\Malue-Ltd\malue-poc\src\End2EndTests\bin\Debug\net8.0> C:\Program Files\dotnet\dotnet.exe exec c:\users\jim\appdata\local\microsoft\visualstudio\17.0_8fdfae02\extensions\bhrv5ykv.dty\Connectors\Generic-net7.0\specflow-vs.dll discovery D:\Dropbox\source\Malue-Ltd\malue-poc\src\End2EndTests\bin\Debug\net8.0\End2EndTests.dll ""
Exit code:
Message:
You must install or update .NET to run this application.

App: c:\users\jim\appdata\local\microsoft\visualstudio\17.0_8fdfae02\extensions\bhrv5ykv.dty\Connectors\Generic-net7.0\specflow-vs.dll
Architecture: x64
Framework: 'Microsoft.NETCore.App', version '7.0.0' (x64)
.NET location: C:\Program Files\dotnet\

The following frameworks were found:
6.0.30 at [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.NETCore.App]
6.0.31 at [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.NETCore.App]
8.0.5 at [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.NETCore.App]

Learn more:
https://aka.ms/dotnet/app-launch-failed

To install missing framework, download:
https://aka.ms/dotnet-core-applaunch?framework=Microsoft.NETCore.App&framework_version=7.0.0&arch=x64&rid=win-x64&os=win10
Cannot deserialize:
Warning: AndDiscoveryProviderSucceed: The project bindings (e.g. step definitions) could not be discovered. Navigation, step completion and other features are disabled.
Please check the error message above and report to https://github.com/SpecFlowOSS/SpecFlow.VS/issues if you cannot fix.

[LockTar]

Installing the extension from the releases and not from the marketplace fixed the issue for me. I also upgraded my project to .net8.
https://github.com/SpecFlowOSS/SpecFlow.VS/releases/tag/v2022.1.93-net8
I installed it over the marketplace extension. First close all your Visual Studio instances.

[ronaldoperes]

Installing the extension from the releases and not from the marketplace fixed the issue for me. I also upgraded my project to .net8. https://github.com/SpecFlowOSS/SpecFlow.VS/releases/tag/v2022.1.93-net8 I installed it over the marketplace extension. First close all your Visual Studio instances.

Nice, thanks for sharing!

[PandadoxZ]

I recently came across this same error and I was going to share the same link as @LockTar. I wouldn't expect any future bug fixes or development on SpecFlow going forward, so I am looking to move my existing codebases that use SpecFlow over to Reqnroll.

[LockTar]

I migrated everything last Friday to Reqnroll. No problems at all.

[renatolombardo]

Installing the extension from the releases and not from the marketplace fixed the issue for me. I also upgraded my project to .net8. https://github.com/SpecFlowOSS/SpecFlow.VS/releases/tag/v2022.1.93-net8 I installed it over the marketplace extension. First close all your Visual Studio instances.

Yes! That really works! Thank you!

[DrEsteban]

Confirming the github release version worked for me as well