FIX FOR EXPO JEST: ReferenceError: You are trying to `import` a file outside of the scope of the test code

jest-expo-import-error-resolution

# Fixing Jest Import Errors in Expo v53: A Configuration Tale

**Date:** August 23, 2024  
**Author:** Development Team  
**Target:** React Native developers using Expo v53 with Jest  
**Topics:** Jest, Expo, Testing Configuration, Dependency Management

---
TLDR: https://stackoverflow.com/a/79699866/957253
---

## The Problem: Import Scope Errors

While setting up our test suite for CoolCart, we encountered a frustrating error that prevented any tests from running:

```bash
ReferenceError: You are trying to `import` a file outside of the scope of the test code.
  at Runtime._execModule (node_modules/jest-runtime/build/index.js:1214:13)
  at node_modules/expo/src/winter/runtime.native.ts:28:10
```

All test files failed with this same error, making it impossible to run our comprehensive test suite of 95 tests.

## Root Cause Analysis: Dependency Duplication

The issue stemmed from a **Jest version conflict** caused by improper dependency management:

### ❌ Problematic Configuration

```json
{
  "dependencies": {
    "jest": "~29.7.0",  // 🚨 Jest should NOT be in dependencies
    // ... other deps
  },
  "devDependencies": {
    "jest": "^30.0.5",  // 🚨 Version conflict with dependencies
    "jest-expo": "^53.0.9",
    // ... other dev deps
  }
}
```

### Problems Identified

1. **Jest in wrong section**: Jest was incorrectly placed in `dependencies` instead of `devDependencies`
2. **Version conflict**: Two different Jest versions (29.7.0 vs 30.0.5)
3. **Module resolution confusion**: The conflicting versions caused Expo's module system to fail

## The Solution: Version Alignment

After researching community solutions and testing different approaches, we found the optimal configuration:

### ✅ Working Configuration

```json
{
  "devDependencies": {
    "jest": "~29.7.0",        // ✅ Jest 29.7.0 works with jest-expo 53
    "jest-expo": "^53.0.9",   // ✅ Expo SDK 53 compatible
    "jest-environment-jsdom": "^30.0.5"
  }
}
```

### Key Changes Made

1. **Removed Jest from dependencies**: Jest is a development-only tool
2. **Downgraded Jest to 29.7.0**: Based on community feedback confirming compatibility
3. **Clean installation**: Removed `node_modules` and `package-lock.json` for fresh install

## Recommended Configuration Template

For new Expo v53 projects with Jest, use this tested configuration:

```json
{
  "devDependencies": {
    "jest": "~29.7.0",
    "jest-expo": "^53.0.9",
    "jest-environment-jsdom": "^30.0.5",
    "@testing-library/react-native": "^13.2.2",
    "@types/jest": "^30.0.0"
  }
}
```