diff --git a/.github/workflows/pull-db-tests.yml b/.github/workflows/pull-db-tests.yml
index 66f48d5af8..d168c2ecc5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pull-db-tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pull-db-tests.yml
@@ -63,7 +63,6 @@ jobs:
           RACE_ENABLED: true
           TEST_TAGS: gogit
           TEST_LDAP: 1
-          USE_REPO_TEST_DIR: 1
 
   test-sqlite:
     if: needs.files-changed.outputs.backend == 'true' || needs.files-changed.outputs.actions == 'true'
@@ -90,7 +89,6 @@ jobs:
           TAGS: bindata gogit sqlite sqlite_unlock_notify
           RACE_ENABLED: true
           TEST_TAGS: gogit sqlite sqlite_unlock_notify
-          USE_REPO_TEST_DIR: 1
 
   test-unit:
     if: needs.files-changed.outputs.backend == 'true' || needs.files-changed.outputs.actions == 'true'
@@ -206,7 +204,6 @@ jobs:
         env:
           TAGS: bindata
           RACE_ENABLED: true
-          USE_REPO_TEST_DIR: 1
           TEST_INDEXER_CODE_ES_URL: "http://elastic:changeme@elasticsearch:9200"
 
   test-mssql:
@@ -246,4 +243,3 @@ jobs:
         timeout-minutes: 50
         env:
           TAGS: bindata
-          USE_REPO_TEST_DIR: 1
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 6b16780eb1..b86361d73e 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1,22 +1,5 @@
-ifeq ($(USE_REPO_TEST_DIR),1)
-
-# This rule replaces the whole Makefile when we're trying to use /tmp repository temporary files
-location = $(CURDIR)/$(word $(words $(MAKEFILE_LIST)),$(MAKEFILE_LIST))
-self := $(location)
-
-%:
-	@tmpdir=`mktemp --tmpdir -d` ; \
-	echo Using temporary directory $$tmpdir for test repositories ; \
-	USE_REPO_TEST_DIR= $(MAKE) -f $(self) --no-print-directory REPO_TEST_DIR=$$tmpdir/ $@ ; \
-	STATUS=$$? ; rm -r "$$tmpdir" ; exit $$STATUS
-
-else
-
-# This is the "normal" part of the Makefile
-
 DIST := dist
 DIST_DIRS := $(DIST)/binaries $(DIST)/release
-IMPORT := code.gitea.io/gitea
 
 # By default use go's 1.25 experimental json v2 library when building
 # TODO: remove when no longer experimental
@@ -83,7 +66,6 @@ endif
 
 EXTRA_GOFLAGS ?=
 
-MAKE_VERSION := $(shell "$(MAKE)" -v | cat | head -n 1)
 MAKE_EVIDENCE_DIR := .make_evidence
 
 GOTESTFLAGS ?=
@@ -129,7 +111,7 @@ ifeq ($(VERSION),main)
 	VERSION := main-nightly
 endif
 
-LDFLAGS := $(LDFLAGS) -X "main.MakeVersion=$(MAKE_VERSION)" -X "main.Version=$(GITEA_VERSION)" -X "main.Tags=$(TAGS)"
+LDFLAGS := $(LDFLAGS) -X "main.Version=$(GITEA_VERSION)" -X "main.Tags=$(TAGS)"
 
 LINUX_ARCHS ?= linux/amd64,linux/386,linux/arm-5,linux/arm-6,linux/arm64,linux/riscv64
 
@@ -227,7 +209,7 @@ clean: ## delete backend and integration files
 		e2e*.test \
 		tests/integration/gitea-integration-* \
 		tests/integration/indexers-* \
-		tests/mysql.ini tests/pgsql.ini tests/mssql.ini man/ \
+		tests/sqlite.ini tests/mysql.ini tests/pgsql.ini tests/mssql.ini man/ \
 		tests/e2e/gitea-e2e-*/ \
 		tests/e2e/indexers-*/ \
 		tests/e2e/reports/ tests/e2e/test-artifacts/ tests/e2e/test-snapshots/
@@ -474,9 +456,8 @@ $(GO_LICENSE_FILE): go.mod go.sum
 	GO=$(GO) $(GO) run build/generate-go-licenses.go $(GO_LICENSE_FILE)
 
 generate-ini-sqlite:
-	sed -e 's|{{REPO_TEST_DIR}}|${REPO_TEST_DIR}|g' \
+	sed -e 's|{{WORK_PATH}}|$(CURDIR)/tests/$(or $(TEST_TYPE),integration)/gitea-$(or $(TEST_TYPE),integration)-sqlite|g' \
 		-e 's|{{TEST_LOGGER}}|$(or $(TEST_LOGGER),test$(COMMA)file)|g' \
-		-e 's|{{TEST_TYPE}}|$(or $(TEST_TYPE),integration)|g' \
 			tests/sqlite.ini.tmpl > tests/sqlite.ini
 
 .PHONY: test-sqlite
@@ -495,9 +476,8 @@ generate-ini-mysql:
 		-e 's|{{TEST_MYSQL_DBNAME}}|${TEST_MYSQL_DBNAME}|g' \
 		-e 's|{{TEST_MYSQL_USERNAME}}|${TEST_MYSQL_USERNAME}|g' \
 		-e 's|{{TEST_MYSQL_PASSWORD}}|${TEST_MYSQL_PASSWORD}|g' \
-		-e 's|{{REPO_TEST_DIR}}|${REPO_TEST_DIR}|g' \
+		-e 's|{{WORK_PATH}}|$(CURDIR)/tests/$(or $(TEST_TYPE),integration)/gitea-$(or $(TEST_TYPE),integration)-mysql|g' \
 		-e 's|{{TEST_LOGGER}}|$(or $(TEST_LOGGER),test$(COMMA)file)|g' \
-		-e 's|{{TEST_TYPE}}|$(or $(TEST_TYPE),integration)|g' \
 			tests/mysql.ini.tmpl > tests/mysql.ini
 
 .PHONY: test-mysql
@@ -518,9 +498,8 @@ generate-ini-pgsql:
 		-e 's|{{TEST_PGSQL_PASSWORD}}|${TEST_PGSQL_PASSWORD}|g' \
 		-e 's|{{TEST_PGSQL_SCHEMA}}|${TEST_PGSQL_SCHEMA}|g' \
 		-e 's|{{TEST_MINIO_ENDPOINT}}|${TEST_MINIO_ENDPOINT}|g' \
-		-e 's|{{REPO_TEST_DIR}}|${REPO_TEST_DIR}|g' \
+		-e 's|{{WORK_PATH}}|$(CURDIR)/tests/$(or $(TEST_TYPE),integration)/gitea-$(or $(TEST_TYPE),integration)-pgsql|g' \
 		-e 's|{{TEST_LOGGER}}|$(or $(TEST_LOGGER),test$(COMMA)file)|g' \
-		-e 's|{{TEST_TYPE}}|$(or $(TEST_TYPE),integration)|g' \
 			tests/pgsql.ini.tmpl > tests/pgsql.ini
 
 .PHONY: test-pgsql
@@ -539,9 +518,8 @@ generate-ini-mssql:
 		-e 's|{{TEST_MSSQL_DBNAME}}|${TEST_MSSQL_DBNAME}|g' \
 		-e 's|{{TEST_MSSQL_USERNAME}}|${TEST_MSSQL_USERNAME}|g' \
 		-e 's|{{TEST_MSSQL_PASSWORD}}|${TEST_MSSQL_PASSWORD}|g' \
-		-e 's|{{REPO_TEST_DIR}}|${REPO_TEST_DIR}|g' \
+		-e 's|{{WORK_PATH}}|$(CURDIR)/tests/$(or $(TEST_TYPE),integration)/gitea-$(or $(TEST_TYPE),integration)-mssql|g' \
 		-e 's|{{TEST_LOGGER}}|$(or $(TEST_LOGGER),test$(COMMA)file)|g' \
-		-e 's|{{TEST_TYPE}}|$(or $(TEST_TYPE),integration)|g' \
 			tests/mssql.ini.tmpl > tests/mssql.ini
 
 .PHONY: test-mssql
@@ -662,7 +640,7 @@ migrations.sqlite.test: $(GO_SOURCES) generate-ini-sqlite
 	GITEA_TEST_CONF=tests/sqlite.ini ./migrations.sqlite.test
 
 .PHONY: migrations.individual.mysql.test
-migrations.individual.mysql.test: $(GO_SOURCES)
+migrations.individual.mysql.test: $(GO_SOURCES) generate-ini-mysql
 	GITEA_TEST_CONF=tests/mysql.ini $(GO) test $(GOTESTFLAGS) -tags='$(TEST_TAGS)' -p 1 $(MIGRATE_TEST_PACKAGES)
 
 .PHONY: migrations.individual.sqlite.test\#%
@@ -670,7 +648,7 @@ migrations.individual.sqlite.test\#%: $(GO_SOURCES) generate-ini-sqlite
 	GITEA_TEST_CONF=tests/sqlite.ini $(GO) test $(GOTESTFLAGS) -tags '$(TEST_TAGS)' code.gitea.io/gitea/models/migrations/$*
 
 .PHONY: migrations.individual.pgsql.test
-migrations.individual.pgsql.test: $(GO_SOURCES)
+migrations.individual.pgsql.test: $(GO_SOURCES) generate-ini-pgsql
 	GITEA_TEST_CONF=tests/pgsql.ini $(GO) test $(GOTESTFLAGS) -tags='$(TEST_TAGS)' -p 1 $(MIGRATE_TEST_PACKAGES)
 
 .PHONY: migrations.individual.pgsql.test\#%
@@ -901,9 +879,6 @@ docker:
 	docker build --disable-content-trust=false -t $(DOCKER_REF) .
 # support also build args docker build --build-arg GITEA_VERSION=v1.2.3 --build-arg TAGS="bindata sqlite sqlite_unlock_notify"  .
 
-# This endif closes the if at the top of the file
-endif
-
 # Disable parallel execution because it would break some targets that don't
 # specify exact dependencies like 'backend' which does currently not depend
 # on 'frontend' to enable Node.js-less builds from source tarballs.
diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index bc2121b1e7..fcfbb73371 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -26,9 +26,8 @@ import (
 
 // these flags will be set by the build flags
 var (
-	Version     = "development" // program version for this build
-	Tags        = ""            // the Golang build tags
-	MakeVersion = ""            // "make" program version if built with make
+	Version = "development" // program version for this build
+	Tags    = ""            // the Golang build tags
 )
 
 func init() {
@@ -50,9 +49,6 @@ func main() {
 
 func formatBuiltWith() string {
 	version := runtime.Version()
-	if len(MakeVersion) > 0 {
-		version = MakeVersion + ", " + runtime.Version()
-	}
 	if len(Tags) == 0 {
 		return " built with " + version
 	}
diff --git a/models/migrations/base/tests.go b/models/migrations/base/tests.go
index 36afd35dd4..17ea951b5a 100644
--- a/models/migrations/base/tests.go
+++ b/models/migrations/base/tests.go
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ import (
 	"path"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"testing"
-	"time"
 
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models/db"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models/unittest"
@@ -27,18 +26,6 @@ import (
 
 // FIXME: this file shouldn't be in a normal package, it should only be compiled for tests
 
-func removeAllWithRetry(dir string) error {
-	var err error
-	for range 20 {
-		err = os.RemoveAll(dir)
-		if err == nil {
-			break
-		}
-		time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
-	}
-	return err
-}
-
 func newXORMEngine(t *testing.T) (*xorm.Engine, error) {
 	if err := db.InitEngine(t.Context()); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -213,13 +200,12 @@ func LoadTableSchemasMap(t *testing.T, x *xorm.Engine) map[string]*schemas.Table
 	return tableMap
 }
 
-func MainTest(m *testing.M) {
+func mainTest(m *testing.M) int {
 	testlogger.Init()
-	setting.SetupGiteaTestEnv()
 
 	tmpDataPath, cleanup, err := tempdir.OsTempDir("gitea-test").MkdirTempRandom("data")
 	if err != nil {
-		testlogger.Fatalf("Unable to create temporary data path %v\n", err)
+		testlogger.Panicf("Unable to create temporary data path %v\n", err)
 	}
 	defer cleanup()
 
@@ -227,15 +213,13 @@ func MainTest(m *testing.M) {
 
 	unittest.InitSettingsForTesting()
 	if err = git.InitFull(); err != nil {
-		testlogger.Fatalf("Unable to InitFull: %v\n", err)
+		testlogger.Panicf("Unable to InitFull: %v\n", err)
 	}
 	setting.LoadDBSetting()
 	setting.InitLoggersForTest()
-
-	exitStatus := m.Run()
-
-	if err := removeAllWithRetry(setting.RepoRootPath); err != nil {
-		_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "os.RemoveAll: %v\n", err)
-	}
-	os.Exit(exitStatus)
+	return m.Run()
+}
+
+func MainTest(m *testing.M) {
+	os.Exit(mainTest(m))
 }
diff --git a/models/unittest/fixtures_test.go b/models/unittest/fixtures_test.go
index 879277c9b1..72944ec0db 100644
--- a/models/unittest/fixtures_test.go
+++ b/models/unittest/fixtures_test.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 package unittest_test
 
 import (
+	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -58,9 +59,14 @@ func NewFixturesLoaderVendorGoTestfixtures(e *xorm.Engine, opts unittest.Fixture
 }
 */
 
+func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
+	setting.SetupGiteaTestEnv()
+	os.Exit(m.Run())
+}
+
 func prepareTestFixturesLoaders(t testing.TB) unittest.FixturesOptions {
 	_ = user_model.User{}
-	giteaRoot := setting.SetupGiteaTestEnv()
+	giteaRoot := setting.GetGiteaTestSourceRoot()
 	opts := unittest.FixturesOptions{Dir: filepath.Join(giteaRoot, "models", "fixtures"), Files: []string{
 		"user.yml",
 	}}
diff --git a/models/unittest/fscopy.go b/models/unittest/fscopy.go
index 98b01815bd..cddb7a3f77 100644
--- a/models/unittest/fscopy.go
+++ b/models/unittest/fscopy.go
@@ -4,10 +4,12 @@
 package unittest
 
 import (
+	"errors"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/setting"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/util"
 )
 
@@ -39,7 +41,20 @@ func SyncFile(srcPath, destPath string) error {
 // SyncDirs synchronizes files recursively from source to target directory.
 // It returns error when error occurs in underlying functions.
 func SyncDirs(srcPath, destPath string) error {
-	err := os.MkdirAll(destPath, os.ModePerm)
+	destPath = filepath.Clean(destPath)
+	destPathAbs, err := filepath.Abs(destPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	devDataPathAbs, err := filepath.Abs(filepath.Join(setting.GetGiteaTestSourceRoot(), "data"))
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if strings.HasPrefix(destPathAbs+string(filepath.Separator), devDataPathAbs+string(filepath.Separator)) {
+		return errors.New("destination path should not be inside Gitea data directory, otherwise your data for dev mode will be removed")
+	}
+
+	err = os.MkdirAll(destPath, os.ModePerm)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/models/unittest/testdb.go b/models/unittest/testdb.go
index 398090760e..63c9a3a999 100644
--- a/models/unittest/testdb.go
+++ b/models/unittest/testdb.go
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import (
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/setting/config"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/storage"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/tempdir"
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/testlogger"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/util"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
@@ -28,16 +29,10 @@ import (
 	"xorm.io/xorm/names"
 )
 
-var giteaRoot string
-
-func fatalTestError(fmtStr string, args ...any) {
-	_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, fmtStr, args...)
-	os.Exit(1)
-}
-
 // InitSettingsForTesting initializes config provider and load common settings for tests
 func InitSettingsForTesting() {
-	setting.IsInTesting = true
+	setting.SetupGiteaTestEnv()
+
 	log.OsExiter = func(code int) {
 		if code != 0 {
 			// non-zero exit code (log.Fatal) shouldn't occur during testing, if it happens, show a full stacktrace for more details
@@ -49,8 +44,12 @@ func InitSettingsForTesting() {
 		setting.CustomConf = filepath.Join(setting.CustomPath, "conf/app-unittest-tmp.ini")
 		_ = os.Remove(setting.CustomConf)
 	}
-	setting.InitCfgProvider(setting.CustomConf)
-	setting.LoadCommonSettings()
+
+	// init paths and config system for testing
+	getTestEnv := func(key string) string {
+		return ""
+	}
+	setting.InitWorkPathAndCommonConfig(getTestEnv, setting.ArgWorkPathAndCustomConf{CustomConf: setting.CustomConf})
 
 	if err := setting.PrepareAppDataPath(); err != nil {
 		log.Fatal("Can not prepare APP_DATA_PATH: %v", err)
@@ -71,16 +70,18 @@ type TestOptions struct {
 // MainTest a reusable TestMain(..) function for unit tests that need to use a
 // test database. Creates the test database, and sets necessary settings.
 func MainTest(m *testing.M, testOptsArg ...*TestOptions) {
-	testOpts := util.OptionalArg(testOptsArg, &TestOptions{})
-	giteaRoot = setting.SetupGiteaTestEnv()
-	InitSettingsForTesting()
+	os.Exit(mainTest(m, testOptsArg...))
+}
 
+func mainTest(m *testing.M, testOptsArg ...*TestOptions) int {
+	testOpts := util.OptionalArg(testOptsArg, &TestOptions{})
+	InitSettingsForTesting()
+	giteaRoot := setting.GetGiteaTestSourceRoot()
 	fixturesOpts := FixturesOptions{Dir: filepath.Join(giteaRoot, "models", "fixtures"), Files: testOpts.FixtureFiles}
 	if err := CreateTestEngine(fixturesOpts); err != nil {
-		fatalTestError("Error creating test engine: %v\n", err)
+		testlogger.Panicf("Error creating test engine: %v\n", err)
 	}
 
-	setting.IsInTesting = true
 	setting.AppURL = "https://try.gitea.io/"
 	setting.Domain = "try.gitea.io"
 	setting.RunUser = "runuser"
@@ -92,20 +93,18 @@ func MainTest(m *testing.M, testOptsArg ...*TestOptions) {
 	setting.Repository.DefaultBranch = "master" // many test code still assume that default branch is called "master"
 	repoRootPath, cleanup1, err := tempdir.OsTempDir("gitea-test").MkdirTempRandom("repos")
 	if err != nil {
-		fatalTestError("TempDir: %v\n", err)
+		testlogger.Panicf("TempDir: %v\n", err)
 	}
 	defer cleanup1()
 
 	setting.RepoRootPath = repoRootPath
 	appDataPath, cleanup2, err := tempdir.OsTempDir("gitea-test").MkdirTempRandom("appdata")
 	if err != nil {
-		fatalTestError("TempDir: %v\n", err)
+		testlogger.Panicf("TempDir: %v\n", err)
 	}
 	defer cleanup2()
 
 	setting.AppDataPath = appDataPath
-	setting.AppWorkPath = giteaRoot
-	setting.StaticRootPath = giteaRoot
 	setting.GravatarSource = "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/"
 
 	setting.Attachment.Storage.Path = filepath.Join(setting.AppDataPath, "attachments")
@@ -129,22 +128,22 @@ func MainTest(m *testing.M, testOptsArg ...*TestOptions) {
 	config.SetDynGetter(system.NewDatabaseDynKeyGetter())
 
 	if err = cache.Init(); err != nil {
-		fatalTestError("cache.Init: %v\n", err)
+		testlogger.Panicf("cache.Init: %v\n", err)
 	}
 	if err = storage.Init(); err != nil {
-		fatalTestError("storage.Init: %v\n", err)
+		testlogger.Panicf("storage.Init: %v\n", err)
 	}
 	if err = SyncDirs(filepath.Join(giteaRoot, "tests", "gitea-repositories-meta"), setting.RepoRootPath); err != nil {
-		fatalTestError("util.SyncDirs: %v\n", err)
+		testlogger.Panicf("util.SyncDirs: %v\n", err)
 	}
 
 	if err = git.InitFull(); err != nil {
-		fatalTestError("git.Init: %v\n", err)
+		testlogger.Panicf("git.Init: %v\n", err)
 	}
 
 	if testOpts.SetUp != nil {
 		if err := testOpts.SetUp(); err != nil {
-			fatalTestError("set up failed: %v\n", err)
+			testlogger.Panicf("set up failed: %v\n", err)
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -152,10 +151,10 @@ func MainTest(m *testing.M, testOptsArg ...*TestOptions) {
 
 	if testOpts.TearDown != nil {
 		if err := testOpts.TearDown(); err != nil {
-			fatalTestError("tear down failed: %v\n", err)
+			testlogger.Panicf("tear down failed: %v\n", err)
 		}
 	}
-	os.Exit(exitStatus)
+	return exitStatus
 }
 
 // FixturesOptions fixtures needs to be loaded options
@@ -196,7 +195,6 @@ func PrepareTestDatabase() error {
 // by tests that use the above MainTest(..) function.
 func PrepareTestEnv(t testing.TB) {
 	assert.NoError(t, PrepareTestDatabase())
-	metaPath := filepath.Join(giteaRoot, "tests", "gitea-repositories-meta")
+	metaPath := filepath.Join(setting.GetGiteaTestSourceRoot(), "tests", "gitea-repositories-meta")
 	assert.NoError(t, SyncDirs(metaPath, setting.RepoRootPath))
-	setting.SetupGiteaTestEnv()
 }
diff --git a/modules/git/git.go b/modules/git/git.go
index 932da1989b..2df83f9843 100644
--- a/modules/git/git.go
+++ b/modules/git/git.go
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import (
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/log"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/setting"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/tempdir"
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/testlogger"
 
 	"github.com/hashicorp/go-version"
 )
@@ -185,21 +186,19 @@ func InitFull() (err error) {
 // RunGitTests helps to init the git module and run tests.
 // FIXME: GIT-PACKAGE-DEPENDENCY: the dependency is not right, setting.Git.HomePath is initialized in this package but used in gitcmd package
 func RunGitTests(m interface{ Run() int }) {
-	fatalf := func(exitCode int, format string, args ...any) {
-		_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, format, args...)
-		os.Exit(exitCode)
-	}
+	os.Exit(runGitTests(m))
+}
+
+func runGitTests(m interface{ Run() int }) int {
 	gitHomePath, cleanup, err := tempdir.OsTempDir("gitea-test").MkdirTempRandom("git-home")
 	if err != nil {
-		fatalf(1, "unable to create temp dir: %s", err.Error())
+		testlogger.Panicf("unable to create temp dir: %s", err.Error())
 	}
 	defer cleanup()
 
 	setting.Git.HomePath = gitHomePath
 	if err = InitFull(); err != nil {
-		fatalf(1, "failed to call Init: %s", err.Error())
-	}
-	if exitCode := m.Run(); exitCode != 0 {
-		fatalf(exitCode, "run test failed, ExitCode=%d", exitCode)
+		testlogger.Panicf("failed to call Init: %s", err.Error())
 	}
+	return m.Run()
 }
diff --git a/modules/git/gitcmd/command_test.go b/modules/git/gitcmd/command_test.go
index 86771f499f..662356bc3f 100644
--- a/modules/git/gitcmd/command_test.go
+++ b/modules/git/gitcmd/command_test.go
@@ -12,23 +12,27 @@ import (
 
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/setting"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/tempdir"
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/testlogger"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
 
-func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
+func testMain(m *testing.M) int {
 	// FIXME: GIT-PACKAGE-DEPENDENCY: the dependency is not right.
 	// "setting.Git.HomePath" is initialized in "git" package but really used in "gitcmd" package
 	gitHomePath, cleanup, err := tempdir.OsTempDir("gitea-test").MkdirTempRandom("git-home")
 	if err != nil {
-		_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "unable to create temp dir: %v", err)
-		os.Exit(1)
+		testlogger.Panicf("failed to create temp dir: %v", err)
 	}
 	defer cleanup()
 
 	setting.Git.HomePath = gitHomePath
-	os.Exit(m.Run())
+	return m.Run()
+}
+
+func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
+	os.Exit(testMain(m))
 }
 
 func TestRunWithContextStd(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/modules/gitrepo/main_test.go b/modules/gitrepo/main_test.go
index e47eda7bc9..08afdffcc6 100644
--- a/modules/gitrepo/main_test.go
+++ b/modules/gitrepo/main_test.go
@@ -13,12 +13,13 @@ import (
 
 func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
 	// resolve repository path relative to the test directory
-	testRootDir := setting.SetupGiteaTestEnv()
+	setting.SetupGiteaTestEnv()
+	giteaRoot := setting.GetGiteaTestSourceRoot()
 	repoPath = func(repo Repository) string {
 		if filepath.IsAbs(repo.RelativePath()) {
 			return repo.RelativePath() // for testing purpose only
 		}
-		return filepath.Join(testRootDir, "modules/git/tests/repos", repo.RelativePath())
+		return filepath.Join(giteaRoot, "modules/git/tests/repos", repo.RelativePath())
 	}
 	git.RunGitTests(m)
 }
diff --git a/modules/hcaptcha/hcaptcha_test.go b/modules/hcaptcha/hcaptcha_test.go
index 5906faf17c..6b207bfb77 100644
--- a/modules/hcaptcha/hcaptcha_test.go
+++ b/modules/hcaptcha/hcaptcha_test.go
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ import (
 	"io"
 	"net/http"
 	"net/url"
-	"os"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
@@ -20,10 +19,6 @@ const (
 	dummyToken   = "10000000-aaaa-bbbb-cccc-000000000001"
 )
 
-func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
-	os.Exit(m.Run())
-}
-
 type mockTransport struct{}
 
 func (mockTransport) RoundTrip(req *http.Request) (*http.Response, error) {
diff --git a/modules/session/virtual.go b/modules/session/virtual.go
index 35a995d2d0..597b9e55c1 100644
--- a/modules/session/virtual.go
+++ b/modules/session/virtual.go
@@ -65,7 +65,6 @@ func (o *VirtualSessionProvider) Read(sid string) (session.RawStore, error) {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("check if '%s' exist failed: %w", sid, err)
 	}
 	kv := make(map[any]any)
-	kv["_old_uid"] = "0"
 	return NewVirtualStore(o, sid, kv), nil
 }
 
@@ -160,7 +159,7 @@ func (s *VirtualStore) Release() error {
 	// Now need to lock the provider
 	s.p.lock.Lock()
 	defer s.p.lock.Unlock()
-	if oldUID, ok := s.data["_old_uid"]; (ok && (oldUID != "0" || len(s.data) > 1)) || (!ok && len(s.data) > 0) {
+	if len(s.data) > 0 {
 		// Now ensure that we don't exist!
 		realProvider := s.p.provider
 
diff --git a/modules/setting/testenv.go b/modules/setting/testenv.go
index 52e8912af0..853521c328 100644
--- a/modules/setting/testenv.go
+++ b/modules/setting/testenv.go
@@ -13,7 +13,18 @@ import (
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/util"
 )
 
-func SetupGiteaTestEnv() string {
+var giteaTestSourceRoot *string
+
+func GetGiteaTestSourceRoot() string {
+	return *giteaTestSourceRoot
+}
+
+func SetupGiteaTestEnv() {
+	if giteaTestSourceRoot != nil {
+		return // already initialized
+	}
+
+	IsInTesting = true
 	giteaRoot := os.Getenv("GITEA_TEST_ROOT")
 	if giteaRoot == "" {
 		_, filename, _, _ := runtime.Caller(0)
@@ -27,6 +38,7 @@ func SetupGiteaTestEnv() string {
 	appWorkPathBuiltin = giteaRoot
 	AppWorkPath = giteaRoot
 	AppPath = filepath.Join(giteaRoot, "gitea") + util.Iif(IsWindows, ".exe", "")
+	StaticRootPath = giteaRoot // need to load assets (options, public) from the source code directory for testing
 
 	// giteaConf (GITEA_CONF) must be relative because it is used in the git hooks as "$GITEA_ROOT/$GITEA_CONF"
 	giteaConf := os.Getenv("GITEA_TEST_CONF")
@@ -56,6 +68,5 @@ func SetupGiteaTestEnv() string {
 	// TODO: some git repo hooks (test fixtures) still use these env variables, need to be refactored in the future
 	_ = os.Setenv("GITEA_ROOT", giteaRoot)
 	_ = os.Setenv("GITEA_CONF", giteaConf) // test fixture git hooks use "$GITEA_ROOT/$GITEA_CONF" in their scripts
-
-	return giteaRoot
+	giteaTestSourceRoot = &giteaRoot
 }
diff --git a/modules/testlogger/testlogger.go b/modules/testlogger/testlogger.go
index bf08e1d6d5..39232a3eed 100644
--- a/modules/testlogger/testlogger.go
+++ b/modules/testlogger/testlogger.go
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ func Init() {
 	log.RegisterEventWriter("test", newTestLoggerWriter)
 }
 
-func Fatalf(format string, args ...any) {
-	Printf(format+"\n", args...)
-	os.Exit(1)
+func Panicf(format string, args ...any) {
+	// don't call os.Exit, otherwise the "defer" functions won't be executed
+	panic(fmt.Sprintf(format, args...))
 }
diff --git a/modules/timeutil/since_test.go b/modules/timeutil/since_test.go
index 40fefe8700..bf848bd05a 100644
--- a/modules/timeutil/since_test.go
+++ b/modules/timeutil/since_test.go
@@ -32,11 +32,7 @@ func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
 	// setup
 	translation.InitLocales(context.Background())
 	BaseDate = time.Date(2000, time.January, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
-
-	// run the tests
-	retVal := m.Run()
-
-	os.Exit(retVal)
+	os.Exit(m.Run())
 }
 
 func TestTimeSincePro(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index e8f1c55816..9c5116d6b5 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@
     "@types/jquery": "3.5.33",
     "@types/js-yaml": "4.0.9",
     "@types/katex": "0.16.8",
+    "@types/node": "25.2.3",
     "@types/pdfobject": "2.2.5",
     "@types/sortablejs": "1.15.9",
     "@types/swagger-ui-dist": "3.30.6",
@@ -119,9 +120,6 @@
     "vitest": "4.0.18",
     "vue-tsc": "3.2.4"
   },
-  "browserslist": [
-    "defaults"
-  ],
   "pnpm": {
     "overrides": {
       "array-includes": "npm:@nolyfill/array-includes@^1",
diff --git a/pnpm-lock.yaml b/pnpm-lock.yaml
index f273662cad..383e0c8c2e 100644
--- a/pnpm-lock.yaml
+++ b/pnpm-lock.yaml
@@ -234,6 +234,9 @@ importers:
       '@types/katex':
         specifier: 0.16.8
         version: 0.16.8
+      '@types/node':
+        specifier: 25.2.3
+        version: 25.2.3
       '@types/pdfobject':
         specifier: 2.2.5
         version: 2.2.5
diff --git a/services/actions/init_test.go b/services/actions/init_test.go
index 2d33a4e5cc..e61b3759e1 100644
--- a/services/actions/init_test.go
+++ b/services/actions/init_test.go
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ import (
 
 func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
 	unittest.MainTest(m)
-	os.Exit(m.Run())
 }
 
 func TestInitToken(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/tests/e2e/e2e_test.go b/tests/e2e/e2e_test.go
index 95093ffd29..6e7890105c 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/e2e_test.go
+++ b/tests/e2e/e2e_test.go
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
 	graceful.InitManager(managerCtx)
 	defer cancel()
 
-	tests.InitTest(false)
+	tests.InitTest()
 	testE2eWebRoutes = routers.NormalRoutes()
 
 	err := unittest.InitFixtures(
diff --git a/tests/integration/integration_test.go b/tests/integration/integration_test.go
index 3803f331c4..ca1e094ac2 100644
--- a/tests/integration/integration_test.go
+++ b/tests/integration/integration_test.go
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 // Copyright 2017 The Gitea Authors. All rights reserved.
 // SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
 
-//nolint:forbidigo // use of print functions is allowed in tests
 package integration
 
 import (
@@ -27,6 +26,7 @@ import (
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/json"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/log"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/setting"
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/testlogger"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/util"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/web"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/web/middleware"
@@ -79,14 +79,14 @@ func NewNilResponseHashSumRecorder() *NilResponseHashSumRecorder {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
+func testMain(m *testing.M) int {
 	defer log.GetManager().Close()
 
 	managerCtx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 	graceful.InitManager(managerCtx)
 	defer cancel()
 
-	tests.InitTest(true)
+	tests.InitTest()
 	testWebRoutes = routers.NormalRoutes()
 
 	err := unittest.InitFixtures(
@@ -95,8 +95,7 @@ func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
 		},
 	)
 	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Printf("Error initializing test database: %v\n", err)
-		os.Exit(1)
+		testlogger.Panicf("InitFixtures: %v", err)
 	}
 
 	// FIXME: the console logger is deleted by mistake, so if there is any `log.Fatal`, developers won't see any error message.
@@ -104,15 +103,16 @@ func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
 	exitCode := m.Run()
 
 	if err = util.RemoveAll(setting.Indexer.IssuePath); err != nil {
-		fmt.Printf("util.RemoveAll: %v\n", err)
-		os.Exit(1)
+		log.Error("Failed to remove indexer path: %v", err)
 	}
 	if err = util.RemoveAll(setting.Indexer.RepoPath); err != nil {
-		fmt.Printf("Unable to remove repo indexer: %v\n", err)
-		os.Exit(1)
+		log.Error("Failed to remove indexer path: %v", err)
 	}
+	return exitCode
+}
 
-	os.Exit(exitCode)
+func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
+	os.Exit(testMain(m))
 }
 
 type TestSession struct {
diff --git a/tests/integration/migration-test/migration_test.go b/tests/integration/migration-test/migration_test.go
index ee49829127..2e25afb43c 100644
--- a/tests/integration/migration-test/migration_test.go
+++ b/tests/integration/migration-test/migration_test.go
@@ -36,8 +36,6 @@ var currentEngine *xorm.Engine
 
 func initMigrationTest(t *testing.T) func() {
 	testlogger.Init()
-	setting.SetupGiteaTestEnv()
-
 	unittest.InitSettingsForTesting()
 
 	assert.NotEmpty(t, setting.RepoRootPath)
diff --git a/tests/integration/pull_create_test.go b/tests/integration/pull_create_test.go
index 3db335fc3f..2c17557eb0 100644
--- a/tests/integration/pull_create_test.go
+++ b/tests/integration/pull_create_test.go
@@ -176,41 +176,6 @@ func TestPullCreate(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 }
 
-func TestPullCreate_TitleEscape(t *testing.T) {
-	onGiteaRun(t, func(t *testing.T, u *url.URL) {
-		session := loginUser(t, "user1")
-		testRepoFork(t, session, "user2", "repo1", "user1", "repo1", "")
-		testEditFile(t, session, "user1", "repo1", "master", "README.md", "Hello, World (Edited)\n")
-		resp := testPullCreate(t, session, "user1", "repo1", false, "master", "master", "<i>XSS PR</i>")
-
-		// check the redirected URL
-		url := test.RedirectURL(resp)
-		assert.Regexp(t, "^/user2/repo1/pulls/[0-9]*$", url)
-
-		// Edit title
-		req := NewRequest(t, "GET", url)
-		resp = session.MakeRequest(t, req, http.StatusOK)
-		htmlDoc := NewHTMLParser(t, resp.Body)
-		editTestTitleURL, exists := htmlDoc.doc.Find(".issue-title-buttons button[data-update-url]").First().Attr("data-update-url")
-		assert.True(t, exists, "The template has changed")
-
-		req = NewRequestWithValues(t, "POST", editTestTitleURL, map[string]string{
-			"title": "<u>XSS PR</u>",
-		})
-		session.MakeRequest(t, req, http.StatusOK)
-
-		req = NewRequest(t, "GET", url)
-		resp = session.MakeRequest(t, req, http.StatusOK)
-		htmlDoc = NewHTMLParser(t, resp.Body)
-		titleHTML, err := htmlDoc.doc.Find(".comment-list .timeline-item.event .comment-text-line b").First().Html()
-		assert.NoError(t, err)
-		assert.Equal(t, "<strike>&lt;i&gt;XSS PR&lt;/i&gt;</strike>", titleHTML)
-		titleHTML, err = htmlDoc.doc.Find(".comment-list .timeline-item.event .comment-text-line b").Next().Html()
-		assert.NoError(t, err)
-		assert.Equal(t, "&lt;u&gt;XSS PR&lt;/u&gt;", titleHTML)
-	})
-}
-
 func testUIDeleteBranch(t *testing.T, session *TestSession, ownerName, repoName, branchName string) {
 	relURL := "/" + path.Join(ownerName, repoName, "branches")
 	req := NewRequestWithValues(t, "POST", relURL+"/delete", map[string]string{
diff --git a/tests/integration/xss_test.go b/tests/integration/xss_test.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 62d2e27bcd..0000000000
--- a/tests/integration/xss_test.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,38 +0,0 @@
-// Copyright 2017 The Gitea Authors. All rights reserved.
-// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
-
-package integration
-
-import (
-	"net/http"
-	"testing"
-
-	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models/unittest"
-	user_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/user"
-	"code.gitea.io/gitea/tests"
-
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
-)
-
-func TestXSSUserFullName(t *testing.T) {
-	defer tests.PrepareTestEnv(t)()
-	user := unittest.AssertExistsAndLoadBean(t, &user_model.User{ID: 2})
-	const fullName = `name & <script class="evil">alert('Oh no!');</script>`
-
-	session := loginUser(t, user.Name)
-	req := NewRequestWithValues(t, "POST", "/user/settings", map[string]string{
-		"name":      user.Name,
-		"full_name": fullName,
-		"email":     user.Email,
-		"language":  "en-US",
-	})
-	session.MakeRequest(t, req, http.StatusSeeOther)
-
-	req = NewRequestf(t, "GET", "/%s", user.Name)
-	resp := session.MakeRequest(t, req, http.StatusOK)
-	htmlDoc := NewHTMLParser(t, resp.Body)
-	assert.Equal(t, 0, htmlDoc.doc.Find("script.evil").Length())
-	assert.Equal(t, fullName,
-		htmlDoc.doc.Find("div.content").Find(".header.text.center").Text(),
-	)
-}
diff --git a/tests/mssql.ini.tmpl b/tests/mssql.ini.tmpl
index 42bf683a07..0d16905033 100644
--- a/tests/mssql.ini.tmpl
+++ b/tests/mssql.ini.tmpl
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+WORK_PATH = {{WORK_PATH}}
 APP_NAME = Gitea: Git with a cup of tea
 RUN_MODE = prod
 
@@ -11,11 +12,9 @@ SSL_MODE = disable
 
 [indexer]
 REPO_INDEXER_ENABLED = true
-REPO_INDEXER_PATH = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-mssql/indexers/repos.bleve
 
 [queue.issue_indexer]
 TYPE = level
-DATADIR = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-mssql/indexers/issues.queue
 
 [queue]
 TYPE = immediate
@@ -29,15 +28,6 @@ TYPE = immediate
 [queue.webhook_sender]
 TYPE = immediate
 
-[repository]
-ROOT = {{REPO_TEST_DIR}}tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-mssql/gitea-repositories
-
-[repository.local]
-LOCAL_COPY_PATH = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-mssql/tmp/local-repo
-
-[repository.upload]
-TEMP_PATH = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-mssql/tmp/uploads
-
 [repository.signing]
 SIGNING_KEY = none
 
@@ -53,14 +43,13 @@ START_SSH_SERVER = true
 LFS_START_SERVER = true
 OFFLINE_MODE     = false
 LFS_JWT_SECRET   = Tv_MjmZuHqpIY6GFl12ebgkRAMt4RlWt0v4EHKSXO0w
-APP_DATA_PATH    = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-mssql/data
 BUILTIN_SSH_SERVER_USER = git
 SSH_TRUSTED_USER_CA_KEYS = ssh-rsa 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
 
 [mailer]
 ENABLED = true
 PROTOCOL = dummy
-FROM = mssql-{{TEST_TYPE}}-test@gitea.io
+FROM = mssql-integration-test@gitea.io
 
 [service]
 REGISTER_EMAIL_CONFIRM            = false
@@ -76,16 +65,12 @@ ENABLE_NOTIFY_MAIL                = true
 [picture]
 DISABLE_GRAVATAR              = false
 ENABLE_FEDERATED_AVATAR       = false
-AVATAR_UPLOAD_PATH            = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-mssql/data/avatars
-REPOSITORY_AVATAR_UPLOAD_PATH = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-mssql/data/repo-avatars
 
 [session]
 PROVIDER        = file
-PROVIDER_CONFIG = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-mssql/data/sessions
 
 [log]
 MODE                 = {{TEST_LOGGER}}
-ROOT_PATH            = {{REPO_TEST_DIR}}mssql-log
 ENABLE_SSH_LOG       = true
 logger.xorm.MODE     = file
 
diff --git a/tests/mysql.ini.tmpl b/tests/mysql.ini.tmpl
index 7cef540d1d..bf59efde4c 100644
--- a/tests/mysql.ini.tmpl
+++ b/tests/mysql.ini.tmpl
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+WORK_PATH = {{WORK_PATH}}
 APP_NAME = Gitea: Git with a cup of tea
 RUN_MODE = prod
 
@@ -11,13 +12,11 @@ SSL_MODE = disable
 
 [indexer]
 REPO_INDEXER_ENABLED = true
-REPO_INDEXER_PATH = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-mysql/indexers/repos.bleve
 ISSUE_INDEXER_TYPE = elasticsearch
 ISSUE_INDEXER_CONN_STR = http://elastic:changeme@elasticsearch:9200
 
 [queue.issue_indexer]
 TYPE = level
-DATADIR = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-mysql/indexers/issues.queue
 
 [queue]
 TYPE = immediate
@@ -31,15 +30,6 @@ TYPE = immediate
 [queue.webhook_sender]
 TYPE = immediate
 
-[repository]
-ROOT = {{REPO_TEST_DIR}}tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-mysql/gitea-repositories
-
-[repository.local]
-LOCAL_COPY_PATH = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-mysql/tmp/local-repo
-
-[repository.upload]
-TEMP_PATH = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-mysql/tmp/uploads
-
 [repository.signing]
 SIGNING_KEY = none
 
@@ -51,7 +41,6 @@ LOCAL_ROOT_URL   = http://127.0.0.1:3001/
 DISABLE_SSH      = false
 SSH_LISTEN_HOST  = localhost
 SSH_PORT         = 2201
-APP_DATA_PATH    = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-mysql/data
 BUILTIN_SSH_SERVER_USER = git
 START_SSH_SERVER = true
 OFFLINE_MODE     = false
@@ -63,7 +52,7 @@ SSH_TRUSTED_USER_CA_KEYS = ssh-rsa AAAAB3NzaC1yc2EAAAADAQABAAABgQCb4DC1dMFnJ6pXW
 [mailer]
 ENABLED = true
 PROTOCOL = dummy
-FROM = mysql-{{TEST_TYPE}}-test@gitea.io
+FROM = mysql-integration-test@gitea.io
 
 [service]
 REGISTER_EMAIL_CONFIRM            = false
@@ -82,11 +71,9 @@ ENABLE_FEDERATED_AVATAR       = false
 
 [session]
 PROVIDER        = file
-PROVIDER_CONFIG = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-mysql/data/sessions
 
 [log]
 MODE                 = {{TEST_LOGGER}}
-ROOT_PATH            = {{REPO_TEST_DIR}}mysql-log
 ENABLE_SSH_LOG       = true
 logger.xorm.MODE     = file
 
@@ -103,9 +90,6 @@ SECRET_KEY     = 9pCviYTWSb
 INTERNAL_TOKEN = eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJuYmYiOjE0OTU1NTE2MTh9.hhSVGOANkaKk3vfCd2jDOIww4pUk0xtg9JRde5UogyQ
 DISABLE_QUERY_AUTH_TOKEN = true
 
-[lfs]
-PATH = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-mysql/data/lfs
-
 [packages]
 ENABLED = true
 
diff --git a/tests/pgsql.ini.tmpl b/tests/pgsql.ini.tmpl
index 13a5932608..b6fcd33f70 100644
--- a/tests/pgsql.ini.tmpl
+++ b/tests/pgsql.ini.tmpl
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+WORK_PATH = {{WORK_PATH}}
 APP_NAME = Gitea: Git with a cup of tea
 RUN_MODE = prod
 
@@ -12,11 +13,9 @@ SSL_MODE = disable
 
 [indexer]
 REPO_INDEXER_ENABLED = true
-REPO_INDEXER_PATH = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-pgsql/indexers/repos.bleve
 
 [queue.issue_indexer]
 TYPE = level
-DATADIR = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-pgsql/indexers/issues.queue
 
 [queue]
 TYPE = immediate
@@ -30,15 +29,6 @@ TYPE = immediate
 [queue.webhook_sender]
 TYPE = immediate
 
-[repository]
-ROOT = {{REPO_TEST_DIR}}tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-pgsql/gitea-repositories
-
-[repository.local]
-LOCAL_COPY_PATH = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-pgsql/tmp/local-repo
-
-[repository.upload]
-TEMP_PATH = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-pgsql/tmp/uploads
-
 [repository.signing]
 SIGNING_KEY = none
 
@@ -54,14 +44,13 @@ START_SSH_SERVER = true
 LFS_START_SERVER = true
 OFFLINE_MODE     = false
 LFS_JWT_SECRET   = Tv_MjmZuHqpIY6GFl12ebgkRAMt4RlWt0v4EHKSXO0w
-APP_DATA_PATH    = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-pgsql/data
 BUILTIN_SSH_SERVER_USER = git
 SSH_TRUSTED_USER_CA_KEYS = ssh-rsa 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
 
 [mailer]
 ENABLED = true
 PROTOCOL = dummy
-FROM = pgsql-{{TEST_TYPE}}-test@gitea.io
+FROM = pgsql-integration-test@gitea.io
 
 [service]
 REGISTER_EMAIL_CONFIRM            = false
@@ -77,16 +66,12 @@ ENABLE_NOTIFY_MAIL                = true
 [picture]
 DISABLE_GRAVATAR              = false
 ENABLE_FEDERATED_AVATAR       = false
-AVATAR_UPLOAD_PATH            = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-pgsql/data/avatars
-REPOSITORY_AVATAR_UPLOAD_PATH = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-pgsql/data/repo-avatars
 
 [session]
 PROVIDER        = file
-PROVIDER_CONFIG = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-pgsql/data/sessions
 
 [log]
 MODE                 = {{TEST_LOGGER}}
-ROOT_PATH            = {{REPO_TEST_DIR}}pgsql-log
 ENABLE_SSH_LOG       = true
 logger.xorm.MODE     = file
 
diff --git a/tests/sqlite.ini.tmpl b/tests/sqlite.ini.tmpl
index 61f7e2a46d..243bea86f1 100644
--- a/tests/sqlite.ini.tmpl
+++ b/tests/sqlite.ini.tmpl
@@ -1,17 +1,16 @@
+WORK_PATH = {{WORK_PATH}}
 APP_NAME = Gitea: Git with a cup of tea
 RUN_MODE = prod
 
 [database]
 DB_TYPE = sqlite3
-PATH    = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-sqlite/gitea.db
+PATH    = gitea.db
 
 [indexer]
 REPO_INDEXER_ENABLED = true
-REPO_INDEXER_PATH    = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-sqlite/indexers/repos.bleve
 
 [queue.issue_indexer]
 TYPE = level
-DATADIR = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-sqlite/indexers/issues.queue
 
 [queue]
 TYPE = immediate
@@ -25,15 +24,6 @@ TYPE = immediate
 [queue.webhook_sender]
 TYPE = immediate
 
-[repository]
-ROOT = {{REPO_TEST_DIR}}tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-sqlite/gitea-repositories
-
-[repository.local]
-LOCAL_COPY_PATH = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-sqlite/tmp/local-repo
-
-[repository.upload]
-TEMP_PATH = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-sqlite/tmp/uploads
-
 [repository.signing]
 SIGNING_KEY = none
 
@@ -49,18 +39,14 @@ START_SSH_SERVER = true
 LFS_START_SERVER = true
 OFFLINE_MODE     = false
 LFS_JWT_SECRET   = Tv_MjmZuHqpIY6GFl12ebgkRAMt4RlWt0v4EHKSXO0w
-APP_DATA_PATH    = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-sqlite/data
 ENABLE_GZIP      = true
 BUILTIN_SSH_SERVER_USER = git
 SSH_TRUSTED_USER_CA_KEYS = ssh-rsa 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
 
-[attachment]
-PATH = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-sqlite/data/attachments
-
 [mailer]
 ENABLED     = true
 PROTOCOL = dummy
-FROM        = sqlite-{{TEST_TYPE}}-test@gitea.io
+FROM        = sqlite-integration-test@gitea.io
 
 [service]
 REGISTER_EMAIL_CONFIRM            = false
@@ -76,16 +62,12 @@ NO_REPLY_ADDRESS                  = noreply.example.org
 [picture]
 DISABLE_GRAVATAR              = false
 ENABLE_FEDERATED_AVATAR       = false
-AVATAR_UPLOAD_PATH            = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-sqlite/data/avatars
-REPOSITORY_AVATAR_UPLOAD_PATH = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-sqlite/data/repo-avatars
 
 [session]
 PROVIDER = file
-PROVIDER_CONFIG = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-sqlite/data/sessions
 
 [log]
 MODE                 = {{TEST_LOGGER}}
-ROOT_PATH            = {{REPO_TEST_DIR}}sqlite-log
 ENABLE_SSH_LOG       = true
 logger.xorm.MODE     = file
 
@@ -105,9 +87,6 @@ DISABLE_QUERY_AUTH_TOKEN = true
 [oauth2]
 JWT_SECRET = KZb_QLUd4fYVyxetjxC4eZkrBgWM2SndOOWDNtgUUko
 
-[lfs]
-PATH = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-sqlite/data/lfs
-
 [packages]
 ENABLED = true
 
diff --git a/tests/test_utils.go b/tests/test_utils.go
index 0cb99a1f2c..34645e5370 100644
--- a/tests/test_utils.go
+++ b/tests/test_utils.go
@@ -24,11 +24,8 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 )
 
-func InitTest(requireGitea bool) {
+func InitTest() {
 	testlogger.Init()
-
-	setting.SetupGiteaTestEnv()
-
 	unittest.InitSettingsForTesting()
 	setting.Repository.DefaultBranch = "master" // many test code still assume that default branch is called "master"
 
@@ -38,7 +35,7 @@ func InitTest(requireGitea bool) {
 
 	setting.LoadDBSetting()
 	if err := storage.Init(); err != nil {
-		testlogger.Fatalf("Init storage failed: %v\n", err)
+		testlogger.Panicf("Init storage failed: %v\n", err)
 	}
 
 	switch {
diff --git a/tsconfig.json b/tsconfig.json
index 7b16df0196..9b978cf54e 100644
--- a/tsconfig.json
+++ b/tsconfig.json
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@
     "stripInternal": true,
     "verbatimModuleSyntax": true,
     "types": [
+      "node",
       "webpack/module",
       "vitest/globals",
       "./web_src/js/globals.d.ts",