# Loader: load_tests protocol

Loader that implements the `load_tests` protocol.

This plugin implements the `load_tests` protocol as detailed in the documentation for `unittest2`.

See the load_tests protocol documentation for more information.

Warning

Test suites using the `load_tests` protocol do not work correctly with the `multiprocess` plugin as of nose2 04. This will be fixed in a future release.

## Configuration [load_tests]

always-on
  Default:

    True

  Type:

    boolean

### Sample configuration

The default configuration is equivalent to including the following in a `unittest.cfg` file.

    [load_tests]
    always-on = True

## Plugin class reference: LoadTestsLoader

class nose2.plugins.loader.loadtests.LoadTestsLoader(*args, **kwargs)

  Loader plugin that implements load_tests.

  handleDir(event)

    Run `load_tests` in packages.

    If a package itself matches the test file pattern, run `load_tests` in its `__init__.py`, and stop default test discovery for that package.

  moduleLoadedSuite(event)

    Run `load_tests` in a module.

    May add to or filter tests loaded in module.