Create Unit Tests is supported only on a non-test project with a public method

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Problem

When you’re trying to use the Create Unit Tests command (from the context menu) in Visual Studio, you get the following error message:

Create Unit Tests is supported only on a non-test project and within a public class or a public method

The Create Unit Tests command can only be used on a public method (an empty public class won’t work, despite what the error message says).

Solution

You have to use the Create Unit Tests command from the context of a public method. In other words, right-click on a public method and click Create Unit Tests from the context menu.

If don’t have a public method yet, you can get around this requirement by adding a dummy public class/method, like this:

public class Dummy
{
	public void Test() { }
}
Code language: C# (cs)

Note: You can just copy/paste this dummy class into an existing source file. That way you don’t need to create a new file.

Now right-click on the dummy Test() method and click Create Unit Tests from the context menu. This’ll create the unit test project with the proper dependencies and add a test method for the dummy class/method:

[TestClass()]
public class Class1Tests
{
	[TestMethod()]
	public void TestTest()
	{
		Assert.Fail();
	}
}
Code language: C# (cs)

Note: I suggest running this test just to verify the test project has been wired up properly.

Finally, delete the dummy class/method, since these were only added so you could use the Create Unit Tests command.

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