diff --git a/.github/workflows/run_tests_notebooks.yml b/.github/workflows/run_tests_notebooks.yml
index 0395a246b..68dfa2382 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/run_tests_notebooks.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/run_tests_notebooks.yml
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ jobs:
       uses: matlab-actions/setup-matlab@v1.2.4
       with:
           # MATLAB release to set up R2020a
-        release: R2020a
+        release: R2023a
 
     - name: Clone bidspm
       uses: actions/checkout@v3
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index 4a0f53d3c..7dcbee1b3 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -41,28 +41,28 @@ jobs:
         test_type: [system]
         script: [moae, facerep, fmriprep]
         os: [ubuntu-latest, macos-latest]
-        matlab: [R2022b]
+        matlab: [R2023a]
         include:
         # only run bms on ubuntu because of datalad setup
         - test_type: system
           os: ubuntu-latest
-          matlab: R2022b
+          matlab: R2023a
           script: bms
         - test_type: unit
           os: ubuntu-latest
-          matlab: R2022b
+          matlab: R2023a
           mode: fast
         - test_type: unit
           os: macos-latest
-          matlab: R2022b
+          matlab: R2023a
           mode: fast
         - test_type: unit
           os: ubuntu-latest
-          matlab: R2022b
+          matlab: R2023a
           mode: slow
         - test_type: unit
           os: macos-latest
-          matlab: R2022b
+          matlab: R2023a
           mode: slow
       fail-fast: false
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests_windows.yml b/.github/workflows/tests_windows.yml
index c4de4fc90..3fb4bf515 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests_windows.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests_windows.yml
@@ -39,17 +39,17 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       matrix:
         test_type: [system]
-        script: [moae, facerep, fmriprep]
+        script: [moae, fmriprep]
         os: [windows-latest]
-        matlab: [R2022b]
+        matlab: [R2023a]
         include:
         - test_type: unit
           os: windows-latest
-          matlab: R2022b
+          matlab: R2023a
           mode: fast
         - test_type: unit
           os: windows-latest
-          matlab: R2022b
+          matlab: R2023a
           mode: slow
       fail-fast: false
 
diff --git a/bidspm.m b/bidspm.m
index 6dc1eba84..a04fc091a 100644
--- a/bidspm.m
+++ b/bidspm.m
@@ -325,6 +325,8 @@ function uninitBidspm()
   end
   testFolder = fullfile(pwd, 'tests', subfolder);
 
+  generateLayoutMat();
+
   returnCode = moxunit_runtests(testFolder, ...
                                 '-verbose', '-recursive', '-randomize_order', ...
                                 '-with_coverage', ...
diff --git a/demos/face_repetition/test_face_rep.m b/demos/face_repetition/test_face_rep.m
index 04e514fc3..4700b962e 100644
--- a/demos/face_repetition/test_face_rep.m
+++ b/demos/face_repetition/test_face_rep.m
@@ -9,12 +9,10 @@
 clc;
 close all;
 
-% skipping validation for now
-% as raw data is not 100% valid
-skip_validation = true;
-
 download_data = true;
 
+VERBOSITY = 0;
+
 WD = fileparts(mfilename('fullpath'));
 
 addpath(fullfile(WD, '..', '..'));
@@ -69,8 +67,8 @@
          'task', 'facerepetition', ...
          'space', {'IXI549Space'}, ...
          'ignore', ignore, ...
-         'options', opt, ...
-         'skip_validation', skip_validation);
+         'verbosity', VERBOSITY, ...
+         'options', opt);
 
   %% stats
 
@@ -106,7 +104,7 @@
          'preproc_dir', [preproc_dir '-preproc'], ...
          'model_file', newModel, ...
          'options', opt, ...
-         'skip_validation', skip_validation, ...
+         'verbosity', VERBOSITY, ...
          'concatenate', true);
 
 end
diff --git a/src/IO/saveSpmScript.m b/src/IO/saveSpmScript.m
index 140fb34a3..3aaba7f8b 100644
--- a/src/IO/saveSpmScript.m
+++ b/src/IO/saveSpmScript.m
@@ -8,8 +8,9 @@
   %
   % :param input: a ``matlabbatch`` variable (cell) or the fullpath to a ``.mat`` file
   %               containing such ``matlabbatch`` variable.
+  %
   % :param outputFilename: optional. Path to output file
-  % :type outputFilename: path
+  % :type  outputFilename: path
   %
   % :returns: - :outputFilename: (path)
   %
diff --git a/src/stats/subject_level/getConfoundsRegressorFilename.m b/src/stats/subject_level/getConfoundsRegressorFilename.m
index a47952854..ce4d6a338 100644
--- a/src/stats/subject_level/getConfoundsRegressorFilename.m
+++ b/src/stats/subject_level/getConfoundsRegressorFilename.m
@@ -37,13 +37,13 @@
 
   if numel(filenames) > 1
     msg = ['Found several confounds files:', ...
-           bids.internal.create_unordered_list(filenames)];
+           bids.internal.create_unordered_list(bids.internal.format_path(filenames))];
     id = 'tooManyFiles';
     logger('WARNING', msg, 'id', id, 'filename', mfilename(), 'options', opt);
 
   elseif isempty(filenames)
     msg = sprintf('No TSV file found in:\n\t%s\nfor query:%s\n', ...
-                  BIDS.pth, ...
+                  bids.internal.format_path(BIDS.pth), ...
                   bids.internal.create_unordered_list(opt.query));
     id = 'noFileFound';
     logger('WARNING', msg, 'id', id, 'filename', mfilename(), 'options', opt);
diff --git a/src/workflows/bidsQApreproc.m b/src/workflows/bidsQApreproc.m
index 2cbf8e00c..d77a749a0 100644
--- a/src/workflows/bidsQApreproc.m
+++ b/src/workflows/bidsQApreproc.m
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ function bidsQApreproc(opt)
 
   [BIDS, opt] = setUpWorkflow(opt, 'preprocessing quality control');
 
+  visible = 'off';
   if opt.verbosity > 1
     visible = 'on';
   end
diff --git a/tests/tests_batches/preproc/test_setBatchSTC.m b/tests/tests_batches/preproc/test_setBatchSTC.m
index 5c4478d36..528d6a66c 100644
--- a/tests/tests_batches/preproc/test_setBatchSTC.m
+++ b/tests/tests_batches/preproc/test_setBatchSTC.m
@@ -5,9 +5,7 @@
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_setBatchSTC_dual_task()
diff --git a/tests/tests_batches/stats/test_setBatchSubjectLevelContrasts.m b/tests/tests_batches/stats/test_setBatchSubjectLevelContrasts.m
index 5ce986e47..b096fd336 100644
--- a/tests/tests_batches/stats/test_setBatchSubjectLevelContrasts.m
+++ b/tests/tests_batches/stats/test_setBatchSubjectLevelContrasts.m
@@ -10,9 +10,6 @@
 
 function test_setBatchSubjectLevelContrasts_F_contrast()
 
-  % TODO: fixturize
-  createDummyData();
-
   subLabel = '01';
 
   opt = setOptions('vismotion', subLabel, 'pipelineType', 'stats');
@@ -46,9 +43,6 @@ function test_setBatchSubjectLevelContrasts_F_contrast()
 
 function test_setBatchSubjectLevelContrasts_basic()
 
-  % TODO: fixturize
-  createDummyData();
-
   subLabel = '01';
 
   opt = setOptions('vismotion', subLabel, 'pipelineType', 'stats');
@@ -106,9 +100,6 @@ function test_setBatchSubjectLevelContrasts_basic()
 
 function test_setBatchSubjectLevelContrasts_select_node()
 
-  % TODO: fixturize
-  createDummyData();
-
   subLabel = '01';
 
   opt = setOptions('vismotion', subLabel, 'pipelineType', 'stats');
diff --git a/tests/tests_batches/stats/test_setBatchSubjectLevelGLMSpec.m b/tests/tests_batches/stats/test_setBatchSubjectLevelGLMSpec.m
index aef345849..ce961c464 100644
--- a/tests/tests_batches/stats/test_setBatchSubjectLevelGLMSpec.m
+++ b/tests/tests_batches/stats/test_setBatchSubjectLevelGLMSpec.m
@@ -5,9 +5,7 @@
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 % TODO add test to better cover setScans
@@ -17,7 +15,9 @@ function test_setBatchSubjectLevelGLMSpec_slicetiming_metadata()
   %% GIVEN
   subLabel = '^01';
 
-  opt = setOptions('vismotion', subLabel, 'pipelineType', 'stats');
+  opt = setOptions('vismotion', subLabel, ...
+                   'pipelineType', 'stats', ...
+                   'useTempDir', true);
 
   % needed to update the options with the content of the model
   opt = checkOptions(opt);
@@ -40,7 +40,9 @@ function test_setBatchSubjectLevelGLMSpec_vismotion_acq_1pt6acq()
   %% GIVEN
   subLabel = '^01';
 
-  opt = setOptions('vismotion', subLabel, 'pipelineType', 'stats');
+  opt = setOptions('vismotion', subLabel, ...
+                   'pipelineType', 'stats', ...
+                   'useTempDir', true);
 
   opt.model.file = spm_file(opt.model.file, 'basename', 'model-vismotion-desc-1pt6acq_smdl');
   opt.model.bm = BidsModel('file', opt.model.file);
@@ -65,7 +67,9 @@ function test_setBatchSubjectLevelGLMSpec_brain_mask()
   %% GIVEN
   subLabel = '^01';
 
-  opt = setOptions('vislocalizer', subLabel, 'pipelineType', 'stats');
+  opt = setOptions('vislocalizer', subLabel, ...
+                   'pipelineType', 'stats', ...
+                   'useTempDir', true);
 
   opt.model.bm.Nodes{1}.Model.Options.Mask = struct('desc', 'brain', 'suffix', 'mask');
 
@@ -120,7 +124,9 @@ function test_setBatchSubjectLevelGLMSpec_basic()
   %% GIVEN
   subLabel = '^01';
 
-  opt = setOptions('vislocalizer', subLabel, 'pipelineType', 'stats');
+  opt = setOptions('vislocalizer', subLabel, ...
+                   'pipelineType', 'stats', ...
+                   'useTempDir', true);
 
   opt.model.bm.Nodes{1}.Model.Options = rmfield(opt.model.bm.Nodes{1}.Model.Options, ...
                                                 'Mask');
diff --git a/tests/tests_batches/stats/test_setBatchSubjectLevelResults.m b/tests/tests_batches/stats/test_setBatchSubjectLevelResults.m
index 017d27e4f..823f7c2ce 100644
--- a/tests/tests_batches/stats/test_setBatchSubjectLevelResults.m
+++ b/tests/tests_batches/stats/test_setBatchSubjectLevelResults.m
@@ -10,9 +10,6 @@
 
 function test_setBatchSubjectLevelResults_basic()
 
-  % TODO: fixturize
-  createDummyData();
-
   % IF
   contrast_name = 'VisMot';
   [subLabel, opt, result] = setUp('vismotion', contrast_name);
@@ -55,9 +52,6 @@ function test_setBatchSubjectLevelResults_basic()
 
 function test_setBatchSubjectLevelResults_missing_contrast_name()
 
-  % TODO: fixturize
-  createDummyData();
-
   if bids.internal.is_octave()
     moxunit_throw_test_skipped_exception('Octave:mixed-string-concat warning thrown');
   end
@@ -77,9 +71,6 @@ function test_setBatchSubjectLevelResults_missing_contrast_name()
 
 function test_setBatchSubjectLevelResults_error_no_matching_contrast()
 
-  % TODO: fixturize
-  createDummyData();
-
   if bids.internal.is_octave()
     moxunit_throw_test_skipped_exception('Octave:mixed-string-concat warning thrown');
   end
diff --git a/tests/tests_batches/test_saveMatlabBatch.m b/tests/tests_batches/test_saveMatlabBatch.m
index 4222a111a..fabd93ba4 100644
--- a/tests/tests_batches/test_saveMatlabBatch.m
+++ b/tests/tests_batches/test_saveMatlabBatch.m
@@ -41,11 +41,10 @@ function test_saveMatlabBatch_group()
   matlabbatch = struct('test', 1);
 
   expectedOutput = fullfile(opt.dir.jobs, 'group', ...
-                            ['batch_groupTest_' datestr(now, 'yyyy-mm-ddTHH-MM') '.mat']);
+                            ['batch_groupTest_' datestr(now, 'yyyy_mm_ddTHH_MM') '.m']);
 
   saveMatlabBatch(matlabbatch, 'groupTest', opt);
 
-  assertEqual(exist(expectedOutput, 'file'), 0);
-  assertEqual(exist(spm_file(strrep(expectedOutput, '-', '_'), 'ext', '.m'), 'file'), 2);
+  assertEqual(exist(expectedOutput, 'file'), 2);
 
 end
diff --git a/tests/tests_batches/test_setBachRename.m b/tests/tests_batches/test_setBachRename.m
index b35331b7d..218b869f6 100644
--- a/tests/tests_batches/test_setBachRename.m
+++ b/tests/tests_batches/test_setBachRename.m
@@ -1,25 +1,19 @@
 function test_suite = test_setBachRename %#ok<*STOUT>
-  %
-
   % (C) Copyright 2022 bidspm developers
-
   try % assignment of 'localfunctions' is necessary in Matlab >= 2016
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_setBachRename_basic()
 
   % GIVEN
-  filename = 'sub-01_T1w_seg8.mat';
-  setUp(filename);
+  moveTo = tempName();
+  files = fullfile(moveTo, 'sub-01_T1w_seg8.mat');
+  touch(files);
 
-  files = {fullfile(pwd, filename)};
-  moveTo = {pwd};
   patternReplace(1).pattern = 'T1w';
   patternReplace(1).repl = 'label-T1w';
   patternReplace(2).pattern = 'seg8';
@@ -27,26 +21,12 @@ function test_setBachRename_basic()
 
   % WHEN
   matlabbatch = {};
-  matlabbatch = setBachRename(matlabbatch, files, moveTo, patternReplace);
+  matlabbatch = setBachRename(matlabbatch, {files}, {moveTo}, patternReplace);
 
   spm_jobman('run', matlabbatch);
 
   % THEN
   expectedFile = 'sub-01_label-T1w_segparam.mat';
-  assert(exist(fullfile(pwd, expectedFile), 'file') == 2);
-
-  cleanUp(expectedFile);
-
-end
-
-function setUp(filename)
-
-  system(sprintf('touch %s', filename));
-
-end
-
-function cleanUp(filename)
-
-  delete(fullfile(pwd, filename));
+  assert(exist(fullfile(moveTo, expectedFile), 'file') == 2);
 
 end
diff --git a/tests/tests_batches/test_setBatchInverseNormalize.m b/tests/tests_batches/test_setBatchInverseNormalize.m
index 909e35f67..cfbb0a4ff 100644
--- a/tests/tests_batches/test_setBatchInverseNormalize.m
+++ b/tests/tests_batches/test_setBatchInverseNormalize.m
@@ -7,6 +7,29 @@
   initTestSuite;
 end
 
+function test_setBatchInverseNormalize_basic()
+
+  subLabel = '^01';
+
+  opt = setOptions('vismotion', subLabel);
+
+  BIDS = getLayout(opt);
+
+  imgToResample = {'foo'};
+
+  matlabbatch = {};
+  matlabbatch = setBatchInverseNormalize(matlabbatch, BIDS, opt, subLabel, imgToResample);
+
+  deformationField = fullfile(BIDS.pth, 'sub-01', 'ses-01', 'anat', ...
+                              'sub-01_ses-01_from-IXI549Space_to-T1w_mode-image_xfm.nii');
+
+  assertEqual(matlabbatch{1}.spm.spatial.normalise.write.subj.def(1), {deformationField});
+  assertEqual(matlabbatch{1}.spm.spatial.normalise.write.woptions.vox, nan(1, 3));
+  assertEqual(matlabbatch{1}.spm.spatial.normalise.write.subj.resample(1), {'foo'});
+  assertEqual(matlabbatch{1}.spm.spatial.normalise.write.woptions.bb, nan(2, 3));
+
+end
+
 function test_setBatchInverseNormalize_warning()
 
   opt = setOptions('vismotion');
diff --git a/tests/tests_bids/test_fileFilterForBold.m b/tests/tests_bids/test_fileFilterForBold.m
index 6dc516ffc..50efff7f5 100644
--- a/tests/tests_bids/test_fileFilterForBold.m
+++ b/tests/tests_bids/test_fileFilterForBold.m
@@ -7,9 +7,7 @@
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_fileFilterForBold_events()
diff --git a/tests/tests_bids/test_getROIs.m b/tests/tests_bids/test_getROIs.m
index d4d78f7ab..39c01d3d6 100644
--- a/tests/tests_bids/test_getROIs.m
+++ b/tests/tests_bids/test_getROIs.m
@@ -7,9 +7,7 @@
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_getROIs_individual_space_no_subject()
diff --git a/tests/tests_bids/test_initBids.m b/tests/tests_bids/test_initBids.m
index f1379a248..579ddca52 100644
--- a/tests/tests_bids/test_initBids.m
+++ b/tests/tests_bids/test_initBids.m
@@ -1,27 +1,20 @@
 function test_suite = test_initBids %#ok<*STOUT>
-  %
-
   % (C) Copyright 2022 bidspm developers
-
   try % assignment of 'localfunctions' is necessary in Matlab >= 2016
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_initBids_basic()
 
   % GIVEN
-  opt.dir.output = fullfile(pwd, 'foo');
+  opt.dir.output = fullfile(tempName(), 'foo');
   opt.pipeline.name = 'bidspm';
   opt.pipeline.type = '';
   opt.verbosity = 0;
 
-  cleanUp(opt);
-
   % WHEN
   initBids(opt);
 
@@ -36,20 +29,16 @@ function test_initBids_basic()
   assertEqual(content.GeneratedBy.Name, 'bidspm');
   assertEqual(content.GeneratedBy.Description, '');
 
-  cleanUp(opt);
-
 end
 
 function test_initBids_name_description()
 
   % GIVEN
-  opt.dir.output = fullfile(pwd, 'foo');
+  opt.dir.output = fullfile(tempName(), 'foo');
   opt.pipeline.name = 'bidspm';
   opt.pipeline.type = 'stats';
   opt.verbosity = 0;
 
-  cleanUp(opt);
-
   % WHEN
   initBids(opt, 'description', 'subject level stats');
 
@@ -59,20 +48,16 @@ function test_initBids_name_description()
   assertEqual(content.GeneratedBy.Name, 'bidspm-stats');
   assertEqual(content.GeneratedBy.Description, 'subject level stats');
 
-  cleanUp(opt);
-
 end
 
 function test_initBids_force()
 
   % GIVEN
-  opt.dir.output = fullfile(pwd, 'foo');
+  opt.dir.output = fullfile(tempName(), 'foo');
   opt.pipeline.name = 'bidspm';
   opt.pipeline.type = 'stats';
   opt.verbosity = 0;
 
-  cleanUp(opt);
-
   % WHEN
   initBids(opt, 'description', 'subject level stats');
 
@@ -84,16 +69,4 @@ function test_initBids_force()
   content = bids.util.jsondecode(fullfile(opt.dir.output, 'dataset_description.json'));
   assertEqual(content.GeneratedBy.Description, '');
 
-  cleanUp(opt);
-
-end
-
-function setUp()
-
-end
-
-function cleanUp(opt)
-  if isdir(opt.dir.output)
-    rmdir(opt.dir.output, 's');
-  end
 end
diff --git a/tests/tests_bids_model/test_createDefaultStatsModel.m b/tests/tests_bids_model/test_createDefaultStatsModel.m
index 0ce98af5c..15b32a896 100644
--- a/tests/tests_bids_model/test_createDefaultStatsModel.m
+++ b/tests/tests_bids_model/test_createDefaultStatsModel.m
@@ -14,14 +14,14 @@ function test_createDefaultStatsModel_basic()
 
   BIDS = getLayout(opt);
 
-  opt.dir.derivatives = pwd;
+  opt.dir.derivatives = tempName();
   opt.space = {'IXI549Space'};
   opt.taskName = {'vislocalizer'};
 
   createDefaultStatsModel(BIDS, opt);
 
   % make sure the file was created where expected
-  expectedFilename = fullfile(pwd, 'models', 'model-defaultVislocalizer_smdl.json');
+  expectedFilename = fullfile(opt.dir.derivatives, 'models', 'model-defaultVislocalizer_smdl.json');
   assertEqual(exist(expectedFilename, 'file'), 2);
 
   % check it has the right content
@@ -57,8 +57,6 @@ function test_createDefaultStatsModel_basic()
     assertEqual(content.Input, expectedContent.Input);
   end
 
-  cleanUp(fullfile(pwd, 'models'));
-
 end
 
 function test_createDefaultStatsModel_ignore()
@@ -67,7 +65,7 @@ function test_createDefaultStatsModel_ignore()
 
   BIDS = getLayout(opt);
 
-  opt.dir.derivatives = pwd;
+  opt.dir.derivatives = tempName();
   opt.space = {'IXI549Space'};
   opt.taskName = {'vislocalizer'};
 
@@ -81,6 +79,4 @@ function test_createDefaultStatsModel_ignore()
   assertEqual(numel(content.Nodes), 2);
   assertEqual(numel(content.Edges), 1);
 
-  cleanUp(fullfile(pwd, 'models'));
-
 end
diff --git a/tests/tests_cli/test_bidspm_boilderplate.m b/tests/tests_cli/test_bidspm_boilderplate.m
index 47a73f86a..3b3ce860d 100644
--- a/tests/tests_cli/test_bidspm_boilderplate.m
+++ b/tests/tests_cli/test_bidspm_boilderplate.m
@@ -6,9 +6,7 @@
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_boilerplate_only_stats()
diff --git a/tests/tests_infra/test_bugReport.m b/tests/tests_infra/test_bugReport.m
index 68d43829e..ace361ea4 100644
--- a/tests/tests_infra/test_bugReport.m
+++ b/tests/tests_infra/test_bugReport.m
@@ -9,39 +9,33 @@
 
 function test_bugReport_output_dir()
 
-  %%
   opt.dryRun = false;
   opt.verbosity = 0;
-  opt.dir.output = fullfile(pwd, 'tmp');
+  opt.dir.output = fullfile(tempName(), 'tmp');
   opt = checkOptions(opt);
 
   bugReport(opt);
 
-  cleanUp('tmp');
-
 end
 
 function test_bugReport_basic()
 
-  %%
-  bugReport();
-
-  %%
   opt.dryRun = false;
   opt.verbosity = 0;
+  opt.dir.output = tempName();
   opt = checkOptions(opt);
 
   bugReport(opt);
 
-  cleanUp('error_logs');
+  assert(isdir(fullfile(opt.dir.output, 'error_logs')));
 
 end
 
 function test_bugReport_error()
 
-  %%
   opt.dryRun = false;
   opt.verbosity = 0;
+  opt.dir.output = tempName();
   opt = checkOptions(opt);
 
   try
@@ -50,6 +44,4 @@ function test_bugReport_error()
     bugReport(opt, ME);
   end
 
-  cleanUp('error_logs');
-
 end
diff --git a/tests/tests_infra/test_checkToolbox.m b/tests/tests_infra/test_checkToolbox.m
index 43f775553..023937c2e 100644
--- a/tests/tests_infra/test_checkToolbox.m
+++ b/tests/tests_infra/test_checkToolbox.m
@@ -7,9 +7,7 @@
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_checkToolbox_mp2rage()
diff --git a/tests/tests_infra/test_elapsedTime.m b/tests/tests_infra/test_elapsedTime.m
index a241c5893..7e58c8b8f 100644
--- a/tests/tests_infra/test_elapsedTime.m
+++ b/tests/tests_infra/test_elapsedTime.m
@@ -1,8 +1,5 @@
 function test_suite = test_elapsedTime %#ok<*STOUT>
-  %
-
   % (C) Copyright 2020 bidspm developers
-
   try % assignment of 'localfunctions' is necessary in Matlab >= 2016
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
@@ -23,11 +20,11 @@ function test_elapsedTime_basic()
     subLabel = opt.subjects{iSub};
     printProcessingSubject(iSub, subLabel, opt);
     subjectStart = elapsedTime(opt, 'start');
-    pause(0.05);
+    pause(0.01);
     [~, runTime] = elapsedTime(opt, 'stop', subjectStart, runTime, nbIteration);
   end
 
-  pause(1);
+  pause(0.2);
 
   cleanUpWorkflow(opt);
 
diff --git a/tests/tests_reports/test_boilerplate.m b/tests/tests_reports/test_boilerplate.m
index 2dae0ddd5..68eee2484 100644
--- a/tests/tests_reports/test_boilerplate.m
+++ b/tests/tests_reports/test_boilerplate.m
@@ -7,9 +7,7 @@
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_boilerplate_spatial_preproc()
diff --git a/tests/tests_batches/stats/test_setBatchFactorialDesign.m b/tests/tests_slow/tests_batches/stats/test_setBatchFactorialDesign.m
similarity index 91%
rename from tests/tests_batches/stats/test_setBatchFactorialDesign.m
rename to tests/tests_slow/tests_batches/stats/test_setBatchFactorialDesign.m
index 09d21ef61..f75eca068 100644
--- a/tests/tests_batches/stats/test_setBatchFactorialDesign.m
+++ b/tests/tests_slow/tests_batches/stats/test_setBatchFactorialDesign.m
@@ -10,8 +10,9 @@
 
 function test_setBatchFactorialDesign_within_group()
 
-  % TODO: fixturize
-  createDummyData();
+  if ~usingSlowTestMode()
+    moxunit_throw_test_skipped_exception('slow test only');
+  end
 
   opt = setOptions('vislocalizer', '', 'pipelineType', 'stats');
 
@@ -34,8 +35,9 @@ function test_setBatchFactorialDesign_within_group()
 
 function test_setBatchFactorialDesign_complex()
 
-  % TODO: fixturize
-  createDummyData();
+  if ~usingSlowTestMode()
+    moxunit_throw_test_skipped_exception('slow test only');
+  end
 
   opt = setOptions('vismotion', {'^01'}, 'pipelineType', 'stats');
 
@@ -81,8 +83,9 @@ function test_setBatchFactorialDesign_complex()
 
 function test_setBatchFactorialDesign_basic()
 
-  % TODO: fixturize
-  createDummyData();
+  if ~usingSlowTestMode()
+    moxunit_throw_test_skipped_exception('slow test only');
+  end
 
   opt = setOptions('vismotion', {'01' 'ctrl01'}, 'pipelineType', 'stats');
 
@@ -108,6 +111,10 @@ function test_setBatchFactorialDesign_basic()
 
 function test_setBatchFactorialDesign_wrong_model_design_matrix()
 
+  if ~usingSlowTestMode()
+    moxunit_throw_test_skipped_exception('slow test only');
+  end
+
   opt = setOptions('vismotion', {'^01'}, 'pipelineType', 'stats');
 
   opt.verbosity = 1;
diff --git a/tests/tests_slow/tests_batches/stats/test_setBatchSubjectLevelGLMSpec.m b/tests/tests_slow/tests_batches/stats/test_setBatchSubjectLevelGLMSpec.m
index 2f6212c06..9f64e4f89 100644
--- a/tests/tests_slow/tests_batches/stats/test_setBatchSubjectLevelGLMSpec.m
+++ b/tests/tests_slow/tests_batches/stats/test_setBatchSubjectLevelGLMSpec.m
@@ -5,9 +5,7 @@
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_setBatchSubjectLevelGLMSpec_design_only()
@@ -19,7 +17,9 @@ function test_setBatchSubjectLevelGLMSpec_design_only()
   %% GIVEN
   subLabel = '^01';
 
-  opt = setOptions('vislocalizer', subLabel, 'pipelineType', 'stats');
+  opt = setOptions('vislocalizer', subLabel, ...
+                   'pipelineType', 'stats', ...
+                   'useTempDir', true);
 
   opt.model.designOnly = true;
 
@@ -46,6 +46,4 @@ function test_setBatchSubjectLevelGLMSpec_design_only()
   assertEqual(matlabbatch{1}.spm.stats.fmri_design.cvi, 'FAST');
   assertEqual(matlabbatch{1}.spm.stats.fmri_design.bases.hrf.derivs, [1 0]);
 
-  createDummyData();
-
 end
diff --git a/tests/tests_slow/tests_batches/test_setBatchInverseNormalize.m b/tests/tests_slow/tests_batches/test_setBatchInverseNormalize.m
deleted file mode 100644
index 0346db225..000000000
--- a/tests/tests_slow/tests_batches/test_setBatchInverseNormalize.m
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,50 +0,0 @@
-function test_suite = test_setBatchInverseNormalize %#ok<*STOUT>
-  % (C) Copyright 2022 bidspm developers
-  try % assignment of 'localfunctions' is necessary in Matlab >= 2016
-    test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
-  catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
-  end
-  initTestSuite;
-end
-
-function test_setBatchInverseNormalize_basic()
-
-  if ~usingSlowTestMode()
-    moxunit_throw_test_skipped_exception('slow test only');
-  end
-
-  subLabel = '^01';
-
-  opt = setOptions('vismotion', subLabel);
-
-  BIDS = getLayout(opt);
-
-  imgToResample = {'foo'};
-
-  matlabbatch = {};
-  matlabbatch = setBatchInverseNormalize(matlabbatch, BIDS, opt, subLabel, imgToResample);
-
-  deformationField = fullfile(BIDS.pth, 'sub-01', 'ses-01', 'anat', ...
-                              'sub-01_ses-01_from-IXI549Space_to-T1w_mode-image_xfm.nii');
-
-  assertEqual(matlabbatch{1}.spm.spatial.normalise.write.subj.def(1), {deformationField});
-  assertEqual(matlabbatch{1}.spm.spatial.normalise.write.woptions.vox, nan(1, 3));
-  assertEqual(matlabbatch{1}.spm.spatial.normalise.write.subj.resample(1), {'foo'});
-  assertEqual(matlabbatch{1}.spm.spatial.normalise.write.woptions.bb, nan(2, 3));
-
-end
-
-function test_setBatchInverseNormalize_warning()
-
-  opt = setOptions('vismotion');
-
-  opt.verbosity = 1;
-
-  BIDS = getLayout(opt);
-  subLabel = '99';
-  imgToResample = {'foo'};
-  matlabbatch = {};
-  assertWarning(@()setBatchInverseNormalize(matlabbatch, BIDS, opt, subLabel, imgToResample), ...
-                'setBatchInverseNormalize:noDeformationField');
-
-end
diff --git a/tests/tests_slow/tests_cli/test_bidspm_copy.m b/tests/tests_slow/tests_cli/test_bidspm_copy.m
index 4435b6ac8..8f9365510 100644
--- a/tests/tests_slow/tests_cli/test_bidspm_copy.m
+++ b/tests/tests_slow/tests_cli/test_bidspm_copy.m
@@ -6,9 +6,7 @@
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_copy_filter()
diff --git a/tests/tests_slow/tests_cli/test_bidspm_create_roi.m b/tests/tests_slow/tests_cli/test_bidspm_create_roi.m
index 06686e1a4..d1eb80502 100644
--- a/tests/tests_slow/tests_cli/test_bidspm_create_roi.m
+++ b/tests/tests_slow/tests_cli/test_bidspm_create_roi.m
@@ -6,9 +6,7 @@
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_bidsCreateROI_boilerplate_only()
@@ -135,10 +133,6 @@ function test_bidsCreateROI_neuromorphometrics_inv_norm()
   %            'space', {'individual'}, ...
   %            'verbosity', 0);
   %
-  %   cleanUp(fullfile(pwd, 'tmp'));
-  %   cleanUp(fullfile(pwd, 'options'));
-  %   cleanUp(fullfile(pwd, 'error_logs'));
-  %
   %   end
 
 end
diff --git a/tests/tests_slow/tests_cli/test_bidspm_default_stats_model.m b/tests/tests_slow/tests_cli/test_bidspm_default_stats_model.m
index 49e3ad4ca..a99cfddbf 100644
--- a/tests/tests_slow/tests_cli/test_bidspm_default_stats_model.m
+++ b/tests/tests_slow/tests_cli/test_bidspm_default_stats_model.m
@@ -6,9 +6,7 @@
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_createDefaultStatsModel_CLI()
diff --git a/tests/tests_slow/tests_cli/test_bidspm_smooth.m b/tests/tests_slow/tests_cli/test_bidspm_smooth.m
index 358a6c7dc..fe155dc6b 100644
--- a/tests/tests_slow/tests_cli/test_bidspm_smooth.m
+++ b/tests/tests_slow/tests_cli/test_bidspm_smooth.m
@@ -6,9 +6,7 @@
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_smooth()
diff --git a/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/stats/test_bidsFFX.m b/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/stats/test_bidsFFX.m
index 45ab037d0..b6f723589 100644
--- a/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/stats/test_bidsFFX.m
+++ b/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/stats/test_bidsFFX.m
@@ -18,6 +18,10 @@ function test_bidsFFX_bug_642()
   opt.model.bm = BidsModel('file', opt.model.file);
   opt.model.bm.Input.space = char(opt.model.bm.Input.space);
 
+  tmpDir = tempName();
+  opt.dir.stats = fullfile(tmpDir);
+  opt.dir.output = opt.dir.stats;
+
   bidsFFX('specifyAndEstimate', opt);
 
 end
@@ -33,16 +37,17 @@ function test_bidsFFX_individual()
   for i = 1
 
     opt = setOptions(task{i}, '', 'pipelineType', 'stats');
+
+    tmpDir = tempName();
+    opt.dir.stats = fullfile(tmpDir);
+    opt.dir.output = opt.dir.stats;
+
     opt.model.file =  fullfile(getTestDataDir(),  'models', ...
                                ['model-' strjoin(task, '') 'SpaceIndividual_smdl.json']);
     opt.model.bm = BidsModel('file', opt.model.file);
     opt.fwhm.func = 0;
     opt.stc.skip = 1;
 
-    if exist(opt.dir.stats, 'dir')
-      rmdir(opt.dir.stats, 's');
-    end
-
     [matlabbatch, opt] = bidsFFX('specifyAndEstimate', opt);
 
     bf = bids.File(matlabbatch{1}.spm.stats.fmri_spec.sess(1).scans{1});
@@ -53,8 +58,6 @@ function test_bidsFFX_individual()
 
   end
 
-  createDummyData();
-
 end
 
 function test_bidsFFX_skip_subject_no_data()
@@ -64,6 +67,11 @@ function test_bidsFFX_skip_subject_no_data()
   end
 
   opt = setOptions('vislocalizer', '^01', 'pipelineType', 'stats');
+
+  tmpDir = tempName();
+  opt.dir.stats = fullfile(tmpDir);
+  opt.dir.output = opt.dir.stats;
+
   opt.model.file =  fullfile(getTestDataDir(),  'models', ...
                              'model-vislocalizerWrongSpace_smdl.json');
   opt.model.bm = BidsModel('file', opt.model.file);
@@ -82,39 +90,6 @@ function test_bidsFFX_skip_subject_no_data()
 
 end
 
-function test_bidsFFX_contrasts_select_node()
-
-  if ~usingSlowTestMode()
-    moxunit_throw_test_skipped_exception('slow test only');
-  end
-
-  opt = setOptions('vislocalizer', '', 'pipelineType', 'stats');
-  opt.stc.skip = 1;
-
-  matlabbatch = bidsFFX('contrasts', opt, ...
-                        'nodeName', 'subject_level');
-
-  assertEqual(numel(matlabbatch{1}.spm.stats.con.consess), 4);
-
-end
-
-function test_bidsFFX_contrasts()
-
-  if ~usingSlowTestMode()
-    moxunit_throw_test_skipped_exception('slow test only');
-  end
-
-  opt = setOptions('vislocalizer', '', 'pipelineType', 'stats');
-  opt.stc.skip = 1;
-
-  [matlabbatch, opt] = bidsFFX('contrasts', opt);
-
-  assertEqual(numel(matlabbatch{1}.spm.stats.con.consess), 8);
-
-  assertEqual(opt.dir.jobs, fullfile(opt.dir.stats, 'jobs', 'vislocalizer'));
-
-end
-
 function test_bidsFFX_fmriprep_no_smoothing()
 
   if ~usingSlowTestMode()
@@ -151,8 +126,6 @@ function test_bidsFFX_fmriprep_no_smoothing()
 
   cleanUp(opt.dir.preproc);
 
-  createDummyData();
-
 end
 
 function test_bidsFFX_mni()
@@ -171,9 +144,9 @@ function test_bidsFFX_mni()
     opt = setOptions(task{i}, '', 'pipelineType', 'stats');
     opt.stc.skip = 1;
 
-    if exist(opt.dir.stats, 'dir')
-      rmdir(opt.dir.stats, 's');
-    end
+    tmpDir = tempName();
+    opt.dir.stats = fullfile(tmpDir);
+    opt.dir.output = opt.dir.stats;
 
     [matlabbatch, opt] = bidsFFX('specifyAndEstimate', opt);
 
@@ -185,6 +158,4 @@ function test_bidsFFX_mni()
 
   end
 
-  createDummyData();
-
 end
diff --git a/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/stats/test_bidsFFX_PPI.m b/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/stats/test_bidsFFX_PPI.m
index 1ba026ca3..e7a275a59 100644
--- a/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/stats/test_bidsFFX_PPI.m
+++ b/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/stats/test_bidsFFX_PPI.m
@@ -14,6 +14,11 @@ function test_bidsFFX_PPI_basic()
     moxunit_throw_test_skipped_exception('slow test only');
   end
 
+  if bids.internal.is_octave()
+    moxunit_throw_test_skipped_exception('set up unzipped files with octave fails');
+    % TODO unzip the relevant files first
+  end
+
   opt = setOptions('MoAE-fmriprep', '', 'pipelineType', 'stats');
 
   tempPath = tempName();
diff --git a/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/stats/test_bidsFFX_contrasts.m b/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/stats/test_bidsFFX_contrasts.m
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..cdc660ea8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/stats/test_bidsFFX_contrasts.m
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+function test_suite = test_bidsFFX_contrasts %#ok<*STOUT>
+  % (C) Copyright 2021 bidspm developers
+  try % assignment of 'localfunctions' is necessary in Matlab >= 2016
+    test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
+  catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
+  end
+  initTestSuite;
+end
+
+function test_bidsFFX_contrasts_select_node()
+
+  if ~usingSlowTestMode()
+    moxunit_throw_test_skipped_exception('slow test only');
+  end
+
+  opt = setOptions('vislocalizer', '', 'pipelineType', 'stats');
+  opt.stc.skip = 1;
+
+  matlabbatch = bidsFFX('contrasts', opt, ...
+                        'nodeName', 'subject_level');
+
+  assertEqual(numel(matlabbatch{1}.spm.stats.con.consess), 4);
+
+end
+
+function test_bidsFFX_contrasts_basic()
+
+  if ~usingSlowTestMode()
+    moxunit_throw_test_skipped_exception('slow test only');
+  end
+
+  opt = setOptions('vislocalizer', '', 'pipelineType', 'stats');
+  opt.stc.skip = 1;
+
+  [matlabbatch, opt] = bidsFFX('contrasts', opt);
+
+  assertEqual(numel(matlabbatch{1}.spm.stats.con.consess), 8);
+
+  assertEqual(opt.dir.jobs, fullfile(opt.dir.stats, 'jobs', 'vislocalizer'));
+
+end
diff --git a/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/stats/test_bidsModelSelection.m b/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/stats/test_bidsModelSelection.m
index 9fd1a466e..0285694c6 100644
--- a/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/stats/test_bidsModelSelection.m
+++ b/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/stats/test_bidsModelSelection.m
@@ -7,9 +7,7 @@
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_bidsModelSelection_basic()
@@ -28,7 +26,7 @@ function test_bidsModelSelection_basic()
                                            'models', ...
                                            'model-vismotionGlobalSignal_smdl.json')};
 
-  opt.verbosity = 3;
+  opt.verbosity = 0;
   % WHEN
   matlabbatch = bidsModelSelection(opt);
 
diff --git a/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/stats/test_bidsRoiBasedGLM.m b/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/stats/test_bidsRoiBasedGLM.m
index 874acd17f..ae7fc4d21 100644
--- a/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/stats/test_bidsRoiBasedGLM.m
+++ b/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/stats/test_bidsRoiBasedGLM.m
@@ -59,8 +59,6 @@ function test_bidsRoiBasedGLM_run()
 
   bidsFFX('specify', opt);
 
-  % rmdir(fullfile(pwd, 'options'), 's');
-
   opt.dir.roi = fullfile(opt.dir.derivatives, 'bidspm-roi');
 
   opt.roi.atlas = 'wang';
diff --git a/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/test_bidsChangeSuffix.m b/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/test_bidsChangeSuffix.m
index e6b8295f1..4c1948d45 100644
--- a/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/test_bidsChangeSuffix.m
+++ b/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/test_bidsChangeSuffix.m
@@ -18,13 +18,7 @@ function test_bidsChangeSuffix_basic()
 
   dataDir = getBidsExample('ds001');
 
-  tmpDir = fullfile(dataDir, '..', '..', 'tmp');
-
-  if isdir(tmpDir)
-    rmdir(tmpDir, 's');
-  end
-
-  bids.util.mkdir(tmpDir);
+  tmpDir = tempName();
   copyfile(dataDir, tmpDir);
 
   bidsDir = tmpDir;
@@ -62,6 +56,4 @@ function test_bidsChangeSuffix_basic()
   metadata = bids.query(BIDS_after, 'metadata', 'suffix', 'vaso');
   assertEqual(metadata, expected_metadata);
 
-  rmdir(tmpDir, 's');
-
 end
diff --git a/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/test_bidsConcatBetaTmaps.m b/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/test_bidsConcatBetaTmaps.m
index f9fc52b94..3d78c427e 100644
--- a/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/test_bidsConcatBetaTmaps.m
+++ b/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/test_bidsConcatBetaTmaps.m
@@ -17,17 +17,14 @@ function test_bidsConcatBetaTmapsBasic()
 
   subLabel = '01';
 
-  opt = setOptions('vismotion', subLabel, 'pipelineType', 'stats');
+  opt = setOptions('vismotion', subLabel, ...
+                   'pipelineType', 'stats', ...
+                   'useTempDir', true);
   opt.dryRun = true;
 
   opt.model.file = spm_file(opt.model.file, 'filename', 'model-vismotionMVPA_smdl.json');
   opt.model.bm = BidsModel('file', opt.model.file);
 
-  tmpDir = tempName();
-  copyfile(opt.dir.stats, tmpDir);
-
-  opt.dir.stats = tmpDir;
-
   % update content of FFX dir to mock 2 sessions
   targetDir = fullfile(opt.dir.stats, ...
                        ['sub-' subLabel], ...
diff --git a/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/test_bidsCopyInputFolder.m b/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/test_bidsCopyInputFolder.m
index ef058cb3e..1d993e9a2 100644
--- a/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/test_bidsCopyInputFolder.m
+++ b/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/test_bidsCopyInputFolder.m
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ function test_bidsCopyInputFolder_fmriprep()
   assertEqual(size(data, 1), 16);
 
   % ensure that by default data are not overwritten
-  opt.verbosity = 3;
+  opt.verbosity = 0;
   bidsCopyInputFolder(opt, 'unzip', false);
 
   % or that they are
diff --git a/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/test_bidsCreateROI.m b/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/test_bidsCreateROI.m
index 14382c399..f6a0aff9b 100644
--- a/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/test_bidsCreateROI.m
+++ b/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/test_bidsCreateROI.m
@@ -22,12 +22,12 @@ function test_bidsCreateROI_neuromorphometrics()
 
   opt.roi.atlas = 'neuromorphometrics';
   opt.roi.name = {'Amygdala'};
+  opt.roi.hemi = {'L', 'R'};
   opt.roi.space = {'IXI549Space', 'individual'};
-  opt.dir.roi = spm_file(fullfile(opt.dir.derivatives, 'bidspm-roi'), 'cpath');
 
-  opt.dryRun = false;
+  opt.dir.roi = fullfile(tempName(), 'bidspm-roi');
 
-  cleanUp(opt.dir.roi);
+  opt.dryRun = false;
 
   bidsCreateROI(opt);
 
@@ -38,8 +38,6 @@ function test_bidsCreateROI_neuromorphometrics()
 
   assertEqual(size(roiImages, 1), 2);
 
-  cleanUp(opt.dir.roi);
-
 end
 
 function test_bidsCreateROI_wang()
@@ -56,13 +54,12 @@ function test_bidsCreateROI_wang()
 
   opt.roi.atlas = 'wang';
   opt.roi.name = {'V1v', 'V1d'};
+  opt.roi.hemi = {'L', 'R'};
   opt.roi.space = {'IXI549Space', 'individual'};
-  opt.dir.roi = spm_file(fullfile(opt.dir.derivatives, 'bidspm-roi'), 'cpath');
+  opt.dir.roi = fullfile(tempName(), 'bidspm-roi');
 
   opt.dryRun = false;
 
-  cleanUp(opt.dir.roi);
-
   bidsCreateROI(opt);
 
   BIDS = bids.layout(opt.dir.roi, ...
@@ -72,6 +69,4 @@ function test_bidsCreateROI_wang()
 
   assertEqual(size(roiImages, 1), 4);
 
-  cleanUp(opt.dir.roi);
-
 end
diff --git a/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/test_bidsRename.m b/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/test_bidsRename.m
index 20e2a5d59..78295132b 100644
--- a/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/test_bidsRename.m
+++ b/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/test_bidsRename.m
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ function test_bidsRename_basic()
   end
 
   opt.dryRun = false;
-  opt.verbosity = 2;
+  opt.verbosity = 0;
 
   createdFiles = bidsRename(opt);
 
diff --git a/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/test_bidsReport.m b/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/test_bidsReport.m
index af73ca7b7..7bf67134c 100644
--- a/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/test_bidsReport.m
+++ b/tests/tests_slow/tests_workflows/test_bidsReport.m
@@ -1,8 +1,5 @@
 function test_suite = test_bidsReport %#ok<*STOUT>
-  %
-
   % (C) Copyright 2021 bidspm developers
-
   try % assignment of 'localfunctions' is necessary in Matlab >= 2016
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
@@ -18,19 +15,17 @@ function test_bidsReport_smoke_test()
 
   opt = setOptions('vismotion');
 
-  cleanUp(fullfile(opt.dir.preproc, 'reports'));
+  opt.dir.output = tempName();
 
   bidsReport(opt);
 
-  assertEqual(exist(fullfile(opt.dir.preproc, ...
+  assertEqual(exist(fullfile(opt.dir.output, ...
                              'reports', ...
                              'sub-ctrl01', ...
                              'dataset-bidspm-raw_bids-matlab_report.md'), ...
                     'file'), ...
               2);
 
-  cleanUp(fullfile(opt.dir.preproc, 'reports'));
-
 end
 
 function test_bidsReport_basic()
@@ -41,17 +36,15 @@ function test_bidsReport_basic()
 
   opt = setOptions('MoAE');
 
-  cleanUp(fullfile(opt.dir.preproc, 'reports'));
+  opt.dir.output = tempName();
 
   bidsReport(opt);
 
-  assertEqual(exist(fullfile(opt.dir.preproc, ...
+  assertEqual(exist(fullfile(opt.dir.output, ...
                              'reports', ...
                              'sub-01', ...
                              'dataset-raw_bids-matlab_report.md'), ...
                     'file'), ...
               2);
 
-  cleanUp(fullfile(opt.dir.preproc, 'reports'));
-
 end
diff --git a/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_allRunsHaveSameNbRegressors.m b/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_allRunsHaveSameNbRegressors.m
index 993f8813f..94face7af 100644
--- a/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_allRunsHaveSameNbRegressors.m
+++ b/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_allRunsHaveSameNbRegressors.m
@@ -7,9 +7,7 @@
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_allRunsHaveSameNbRegressors_basic()
diff --git a/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_concatenateRuns.m b/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_concatenateRuns.m
index 1f72c2211..07105d2d9 100644
--- a/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_concatenateRuns.m
+++ b/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_concatenateRuns.m
@@ -1,13 +1,10 @@
 function test_suite = test_concatenateRuns %#ok<*STOUT>
   % (C) Copyright 2023 bidspm developers
-
   try % assignment of 'localfunctions' is necessary in Matlab >= 2016
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_concatenateRuns_basic()
diff --git a/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_convertOnsetTsvToMat.m b/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_convertOnsetTsvToMat.m
index 1a1a33eb6..0b341a289 100644
--- a/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_convertOnsetTsvToMat.m
+++ b/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_convertOnsetTsvToMat.m
@@ -1,59 +1,44 @@
 function test_suite = test_convertOnsetTsvToMat %#ok<*STOUT>
-  %
-
   % (C) Copyright 2022 bidspm developers
-
   try % assignment of 'localfunctions' is necessary in Matlab >= 2016
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_convertOnsetTsvToMat_exclude_late_events()
 
   % GIVEN
-  tsvFile = fullfile(getTestDataDir(), ...
-                     'tsv_files', ...
-                     'sub-01_task-vismotion_events.tsv');
   opt = setOptions('vismotion');
-  opt.model.bm = BidsModel('file', opt.model.file);
+  [opt, tmpDir] = setUp(opt);
+  tsvFile = fullfile(tmpDir, 'sub-01_task-vismotion_events.tsv');
 
   % WHEN
   runDuration = 3;
   fullpathOnsetFilename = convertOnsetTsvToMat(opt, tsvFile, runDuration);
 
   % THEN
-  assertEqual(fullfile(getTestDataDir(), ...
-                       'tsv_files', ...
-                       'sub-01_task-vismotion_onsets.mat'), ...
+  assertEqual(fullfile(tmpDir, 'sub-01_task-vismotion_onsets.mat'), ...
               fullpathOnsetFilename);
   assertEqual(exist(fullpathOnsetFilename, 'file'), 2);
 
-  load(fullpathOnsetFilename);
+  load(fullpathOnsetFilename, 'names', 'onsets', 'durations');
 
   assertEqual(names, {'VisMot'});
   assertEqual(onsets, {2});
   assertEqual(durations, {2});
 
-  cleanUp(fullpathOnsetFilename);
-
 end
 
 function test_convertOnsetTsvToMat_parametric_modulation()
 
   % GIVEN
-  tsvFile = fullfile(getTestDataDir(), ...
-                     'tsv_files', ...
-                     'sub-01_task-vismotion_events.tsv');
   opt = setOptions('vismotion');
-
   opt.model.file = fullfile(fileparts(opt.model.file),  ...
                             'model-vismotion_desc-parametric_smdl.json');
-
-  opt.model.bm = BidsModel('file', opt.model.file);
+  [opt, tmpDir] = setUp(opt);
+  tsvFile = fullfile(tmpDir, 'sub-01_task-vismotion_events.tsv');
 
   % WHEN
   fullpathOnsetFilename = convertOnsetTsvToMat(opt, tsvFile);
@@ -86,8 +71,8 @@ function test_convertOnsetTsvToMat_parametric_modulation()
   %%
   bm = opt.model.bm;
   bm.Nodes{1}.Model.Software.SPM.ParametricModulations(2) = [];
-  bm.write('tmp.json');
-  opt.model.file = fullfile(pwd, 'tmp.json');
+  bm.write(fullfile(tmpDir, 'tmp.json'));
+  opt.model.file = fullfile(tmpDir, 'tmp.json');
   opt.model.bm = BidsModel('file', opt.model.file);
 
   fullpathOnsetFilename = convertOnsetTsvToMat(opt, tsvFile);
@@ -98,21 +83,14 @@ function test_convertOnsetTsvToMat_parametric_modulation()
   assertEqual(pmod(1).param(1), {3});
   assertEqual(pmod(1).poly(1), {1});
 
-  cleanUp(fullpathOnsetFilename);
-
-  delete('tmp.json');
-
 end
 
 function test_convertOnsetTsvToMat_globbing_conditions()
 
   % GIVEN
-  tsvFile = fullfile(getTestDataDir(), ...
-                     'tsv_files', ...
-                     'sub-01_task-FaceRepetitionAfter_events.tsv');
   opt = setOptions('vismotion');
-
-  opt.model.bm = BidsModel('file', opt.model.file);
+  [opt, tmpDir] = setUp(opt);
+  tsvFile = fullfile(tmpDir, 'sub-01_task-FaceRepetitionAfter_events.tsv');
 
   opt.model.bm.Input.task = {'FaceRepetitionAfter'};
   opt.model.bm.Nodes{1}.Model.X = {
@@ -130,31 +108,25 @@ function test_convertOnsetTsvToMat_globbing_conditions()
   fullpathOnsetFilename = convertOnsetTsvToMat(opt, tsvFile);
 
   % THEN
-  assertEqual(fullfile(getTestDataDir(), ...
-                       'tsv_files', ...
-                       'sub-01_task-FaceRepetitionAfter_onsets.mat'), ...
+  assertEqual(fullfile(tmpDir, 'sub-01_task-FaceRepetitionAfter_onsets.mat'), ...
               fullpathOnsetFilename);
   assertEqual(exist(fullpathOnsetFilename, 'file'), 2);
 
-  load(fullpathOnsetFilename);
+  load(fullpathOnsetFilename, 'names', 'onsets', 'durations');
 
   assertEqual(names, {'N1', 'N2', 'F1', 'F2'});
   assertEqual(cellfun('size', onsets, 2), [26 26 26 26]);
   assertEqual(cellfun('size', durations, 2), [26 26 26 26]);
 
-  cleanUp(fullpathOnsetFilename);
-
 end
 
 function test_convertOnsetTsvToMat_warning_missing_variable_to_convolve
 
-  tsvFile = fullfile(getTestDataDir(), ...
-                     'tsv_files', ...
-                     'sub-01_task-vismotion_events.tsv');
   opt = setOptions('vismotion');
   opt.model.file = fullfile(getTestDataDir(),  'models', ...
                             'model-vismotionWithExtraVariable_smdl.json');
-  opt.model.bm = BidsModel('file', opt.model.file);
+  [opt, tmpDir] = setUp(opt);
+  tsvFile = fullfile(tmpDir, 'sub-01_task-vismotion_events.tsv');
 
   opt.verbosity = 1;
 
@@ -169,13 +141,11 @@ function test_convertOnsetTsvToMat_globbing_conditions()
 function test_convertOnsetTsvToMat_transformers_with_dummy_regressors
 
   % GIVEN
-  tsvFile = fullfile(getTestDataDir(), ...
-                     'tsv_files', ...
-                     'sub-01_task-vismotion_events.tsv');
   opt = setOptions('vismotion');
   opt.model.file = fullfile(getTestDataDir(),  'models', ...
                             'model-vismotionWithExtraVariable_smdl.json');
-  opt.model.bm = BidsModel('file', opt.model.file);
+  [opt, tmpDir] = setUp(opt);
+  tsvFile = fullfile(tmpDir, 'sub-01_task-vismotion_events.tsv');
 
   opt.glm.useDummyRegressor = true;
 
@@ -183,84 +153,71 @@ function test_convertOnsetTsvToMat_globbing_conditions()
   fullpathOnsetFilename = convertOnsetTsvToMat(opt, tsvFile);
 
   % THEN
-  load(fullpathOnsetFilename);
+  load(fullpathOnsetFilename, 'names');
 
   assertEqual(names, {'VisMot', 'VisStat', 'dummyRegressor'});
 
-  cleanUp(fullpathOnsetFilename);
-
 end
 
 function test_convertOnsetTsvToMat_basic()
 
   % GIVEN
-  tsvFile = fullfile(getTestDataDir(), ...
-                     'tsv_files', ...
-                     'sub-01_task-vismotion_events.tsv');
   opt = setOptions('vismotion');
-  opt.model.bm = BidsModel('file', opt.model.file);
+  [opt, tmpDir] = setUp(opt);
+  tsvFile = fullfile(tmpDir, 'sub-01_task-vismotion_events.tsv');
 
   % WHEN
   fullpathOnsetFilename = convertOnsetTsvToMat(opt, tsvFile);
 
   % THEN
-  assertEqual(fullfile(getTestDataDir(), ...
-                       'tsv_files', ...
-                       'sub-01_task-vismotion_onsets.mat'), ...
+  assertEqual(fullfile(tmpDir, 'sub-01_task-vismotion_onsets.mat'), ...
               fullpathOnsetFilename);
   assertEqual(exist(fullpathOnsetFilename, 'file'), 2);
 
-  load(fullpathOnsetFilename);
+  load(fullpathOnsetFilename, 'names', 'onsets', 'durations');
 
   assertEqual(names, {'VisMot', 'VisStat'});
   assertEqual(onsets, {2, 4});
   assertEqual(durations, {2, 2});
 
-  cleanUp(fullpathOnsetFilename);
-
 end
 
 function test_convertOnsetTsvToMat_input_from_non_trial_type_column
 
   % GIVEN
-  tsvFile = fullfile(getTestDataDir(), 'tsv_files', 'sub-01_task-FaceRepetitionBefore_events.tsv');
   opt = setOptions('vismotion');
   opt.model.file = fullfile(getTestDataDir(),  'models', ...
                             'model-faceRepetitionNoTrialType_smdl.json');
-  opt.model.bm = BidsModel('file', opt.model.file);
+  [opt, tmpDir] = setUp(opt);
+  tsvFile = fullfile(tmpDir, 'sub-01_task-FaceRepetitionBefore_events.tsv');
 
   % WHEN
   fullpathOnsetFilename = convertOnsetTsvToMat(opt, tsvFile);
 
   % THEN
-  load(fullpathOnsetFilename);
+  load(fullpathOnsetFilename, 'names', 'onsets', 'durations');
 
   assertEqual(names, {'famous', 'unfamiliar'});
   assertEqual(numel(onsets{1}), 52);
   assertEqual(durations, {zeros(1, 52), zeros(1, 52)});
 
-  cleanUp(fullpathOnsetFilename);
-
 end
 
 function test_convertOnsetTsvToMat_no_condition_in_design_matrix
 
   % GIVEN
-  tsvFile = fullfile(getTestDataDir(), ...
-                     'tsv_files', ...
-                     'sub-01_task-vismotion_events.tsv');
-
   opt = setOptions('vismotion');
   opt.model.file = fullfile(getTestDataDir(),  'models', ...
                             'model-vismotionNoCondition_smdl.json');
-  opt.model.bm = BidsModel('file', opt.model.file);
+  [opt, tmpDir] = setUp(opt);
+  tsvFile = fullfile(tmpDir, 'sub-01_task-vismotion_events.tsv');
 
   opt.verbosity = 1;
 
   % WHEN
   fullpathOnsetFilename =  convertOnsetTsvToMat(opt, tsvFile);
 
-  load(fullpathOnsetFilename);
+  load(fullpathOnsetFilename, 'names', 'onsets', 'durations');
 
   assertEqual(names, {});
   assertEqual(onsets, {});
@@ -271,12 +228,10 @@ function test_convertOnsetTsvToMat_basic()
 function test_convertOnsetTsvToMat_dummy_regressor()
 
   % GIVEN
-  tsvFile = fullfile(getTestDataDir(), ...
-                     'tsv_files', ...
-                     'sub-01_task-vismotion_events.tsv');
   opt = setOptions('vismotion');
+  [opt, tmpDir] = setUp(opt);
+  tsvFile = fullfile(tmpDir, 'sub-01_task-vismotion_events.tsv');
 
-  opt.model.bm = BidsModel('file', opt.model.file);
   opt.model.bm.Nodes{1}.Model.X{1} = 'trial_type.foo';
   opt.model.bm.Nodes{1}.Model.HRF.Variables{1} = 'trial_type.foo';
 
@@ -286,25 +241,21 @@ function test_convertOnsetTsvToMat_dummy_regressor()
   fullpathOnsetFilename = convertOnsetTsvToMat(opt, tsvFile);
 
   % THEN
-  load(fullpathOnsetFilename);
+  load(fullpathOnsetFilename, 'names', 'onsets', 'durations');
 
   assertEqual(names, {'dummyRegressor', 'VisStat'});
   assertEqual(onsets, {nan, 4});
   assertEqual(durations, {nan, 2});
 
-  cleanUp(fullpathOnsetFilename);
-
 end
 
 function test_convertOnsetTsvToMat_missing_trial_type()
 
   % GIVEN
-  tsvFile = fullfile(getTestDataDir(), ...
-                     'tsv_files', ...
-                     'sub-01_task-vismotion_events.tsv');
   opt = setOptions('vismotion');
+  [opt, tmpDir] = setUp(opt);
+  tsvFile = fullfile(tmpDir, 'sub-01_task-vismotion_events.tsv');
 
-  opt.model.bm = BidsModel('file', opt.model.file);
   opt.model.bm.Nodes{1}.Model.X{1} = 'trial_type.foo';
   opt.model.bm.Nodes{1}.Model.HRF.Variables{1} = 'trial_type.foo';
 
@@ -319,10 +270,12 @@ function test_convertOnsetTsvToMat_missing_trial_type()
 
 end
 
-function opt = setUp(opt)
+function [opt, tmpDir] = setUp(opt)
   opt.model.bm = BidsModel('file', opt.model.file);
-end
+  tmpDir = tempName();
+  copyfile(fullfile(getTestDataDir(), 'tsv_files'), tmpDir);
+  if bids.internal.is_octave()
+    tmpDir = fullfile(tmpDir, 'tsv_files');
+  end
 
-function cleanUp(inputFile)
-  delete(inputFile);
 end
diff --git a/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_createAndReturnCounfoundMatFile.m b/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_createAndReturnCounfoundMatFile.m
index eac5f22c4..beb4fb4ea 100644
--- a/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_createAndReturnCounfoundMatFile.m
+++ b/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_createAndReturnCounfoundMatFile.m
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
-% (C) Copyright 2021 bidspm developers
-
 function test_suite = test_createAndReturnCounfoundMatFile %#ok<*STOUT>
+  % (C) Copyright 2021 bidspm developers
   try % assignment of 'localfunctions' is necessary in Matlab >= 2016
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
diff --git a/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_getEventSpecificationRoiGlm.m b/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_getEventSpecificationRoiGlm.m
index b72fd7a39..b8c9fc16d 100644
--- a/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_getEventSpecificationRoiGlm.m
+++ b/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_getEventSpecificationRoiGlm.m
@@ -1,15 +1,10 @@
 function test_suite = test_getEventSpecificationRoiGlm %#ok<*STOUT>
-  %
-
   % (C) Copyright 2019 bidspm developers
-
   try % assignment of 'localfunctions' is necessary in Matlab >= 2016
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 % TODO
@@ -46,8 +41,6 @@ function test_getEventSpecificationRoiGlm_basic()
   assertEqual(event_specification(5).eventSpec, [1 1 1 1; 1 2 3 4]);
   assertEqual(event_specification(5).duration, 0);
 
-  cleanUp();
-
 end
 
 function test_getEventSpecificationRoiGlm_warning_complex_contrasts()
@@ -74,7 +67,3 @@ function test_getEventSpecificationRoiGlm_warning_complex_contrasts()
                        'model-faceRepetition_smdl.json');
 
 end
-
-function cleanUp()
-
-end
diff --git a/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_orderAndPadCounfoundMatFile.m b/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_orderAndPadCounfoundMatFile.m
index 9abc0b1ea..2c624acc4 100644
--- a/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_orderAndPadCounfoundMatFile.m
+++ b/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_orderAndPadCounfoundMatFile.m
@@ -1,25 +1,24 @@
 function test_suite = test_orderAndPadCounfoundMatFile %#ok<*STOUT>
-  %
-
   % (C) Copyright 2022 bidspm developers
-
   try % assignment of 'localfunctions' is necessary in Matlab >= 2016
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_orderAndPadCounfoundMatFile_different_nb_confounds()
 
+  tmpDir = tempName();
+  copyfile(fullfile(getTestDataDir, 'mat_files'), tmpDir);
+  if bids.internal.is_octave()
+    tmpDir = fullfile(tmpDir, 'mat_files');
+  end
+
   % GIVEN
-  spmSess(1).counfoundMatFile = fullfile(getTestDataDir, ...
-                                         'mat_files', ...
+  spmSess(1).counfoundMatFile = fullfile(tmpDir, ...
                                          'task-olfid_desc-confounds_regressors.mat');
-  spmSess(2).counfoundMatFile = fullfile(getTestDataDir, ...
-                                         'mat_files', ...
+  spmSess(2).counfoundMatFile = fullfile(tmpDir, ...
                                          'task-olfid_motion.mat');
   opt.glm.useDummyRegressor = true;
 
@@ -33,8 +32,6 @@ function test_orderAndPadCounfoundMatFile_different_nb_confounds()
   assertLessThan(numel(in.names), numel(out.names));
   assertEqual(numel(out.names), size(out.R, 2));
 
-  delete(spmSessOut(2).counfoundMatFile);
-
 end
 
 function test_orderAndPadCounfoundMatFile_one_session()
@@ -66,11 +63,3 @@ function test_orderAndPadCounfoundMatFile_no_dummy_required()
   assertEqual(spmSessOut, spmSess);
 
 end
-
-function setUp()
-
-end
-
-function cleanUp()
-
-end
diff --git a/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_reorderCounfounds.m b/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_reorderCounfounds.m
index e3a740991..f8a1652b3 100644
--- a/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_reorderCounfounds.m
+++ b/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_reorderCounfounds.m
@@ -7,9 +7,7 @@
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_reorderCounfounds_missing()
diff --git a/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_sanitizeConfounds.m b/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_sanitizeConfounds.m
index 4a79693c1..212e0450e 100644
--- a/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_sanitizeConfounds.m
+++ b/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_sanitizeConfounds.m
@@ -5,9 +5,7 @@
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_sanitizeConfounds_basic()
diff --git a/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_saveRoiGlmSummaryTable.m b/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_saveRoiGlmSummaryTable.m
index 6d7abe1e4..9e0316d0e 100644
--- a/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_saveRoiGlmSummaryTable.m
+++ b/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_saveRoiGlmSummaryTable.m
@@ -7,9 +7,7 @@
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_saveRoiGlmSummaryTable_checks()
diff --git a/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_specifyContrasts.m b/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_specifyContrasts.m
index f75e2395a..62f6fc42e 100644
--- a/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_specifyContrasts.m
+++ b/tests/tests_stats/subject_level/test_specifyContrasts.m
@@ -13,9 +13,6 @@ function test_specifyContrasts_vismotion_F_contrast()
   % Note requires an SPM.mat to run
   %
 
-  % TODO: fixturize
-  createDummyData();
-
   % GIVEN
   subLabel = '01';
 
@@ -112,9 +109,6 @@ function test_specifyContrasts_subject_level_F_contrast()
 
 function test_specifyContrasts_bug_854()
 
-  % TODO: fixturize
-  createDummyData();
-
   % GIVEN
   subLabel = '01';
 
@@ -491,9 +485,6 @@ function test_specifyContrasts_vismotion()
   % Note requires an SPM.mat to run
   %
 
-  % TODO: fixturize
-  createDummyData();
-
   % GIVEN
   subLabel = '01';
 
@@ -543,9 +534,6 @@ function test_specifyContrasts_vislocalizer()
   % Note requires an SPM.mat to run
   %
 
-  % TODO: fixturize
-  createDummyData();
-
   % GIVEN
   subLabel = '01';
 
diff --git a/tests/tests_stats/unit_tests/test_concatenateConfounds.m b/tests/tests_stats/unit_tests/test_concatenateConfounds.m
index e3a0af9a7..58b874590 100644
--- a/tests/tests_stats/unit_tests/test_concatenateConfounds.m
+++ b/tests/tests_stats/unit_tests/test_concatenateConfounds.m
@@ -5,9 +5,7 @@
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_concatenateConfounds_basic()
diff --git a/tests/tests_stats/unit_tests/test_concatenateImages.m b/tests/tests_stats/unit_tests/test_concatenateImages.m
index 187f7f953..739afade2 100644
--- a/tests/tests_stats/unit_tests/test_concatenateImages.m
+++ b/tests/tests_stats/unit_tests/test_concatenateImages.m
@@ -5,9 +5,7 @@
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_concatenateImages_basic()
diff --git a/tests/tests_stats/unit_tests/test_concatenateOnsets.m b/tests/tests_stats/unit_tests/test_concatenateOnsets.m
index 18d709568..215389351 100644
--- a/tests/tests_stats/unit_tests/test_concatenateOnsets.m
+++ b/tests/tests_stats/unit_tests/test_concatenateOnsets.m
@@ -5,9 +5,7 @@
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_concatenateOnsets_basic()
diff --git a/tests/tests_stats/unit_tests/test_designMatrixFigureName.m b/tests/tests_stats/unit_tests/test_designMatrixFigureName.m
index 66a6a1b2a..3957aa5f8 100644
--- a/tests/tests_stats/unit_tests/test_designMatrixFigureName.m
+++ b/tests/tests_stats/unit_tests/test_designMatrixFigureName.m
@@ -7,9 +7,7 @@
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_designMatrixFigureName_basic()
diff --git a/tests/tests_stats/utils/test_printAvailableContrasts.m b/tests/tests_stats/utils/test_printAvailableContrasts.m
index 6963d368b..58485f0ea 100644
--- a/tests/tests_stats/utils/test_printAvailableContrasts.m
+++ b/tests/tests_stats/utils/test_printAvailableContrasts.m
@@ -18,12 +18,12 @@ function test_printAvailableContrasts_basic()
 
   printAvailableContrasts(SPM, opt);
 
-  save(fullfile(pwd, 'SPM.mat'), 'SPM');
+  tmpDir = tempName();
 
-  printAvailableContrasts(fullfile(pwd, 'SPM.mat'), opt);
+  save(fullfile(tmpDir, 'SPM.mat'), 'SPM');
 
-  printAvailableContrasts(SPM);
+  printAvailableContrasts(fullfile(tmpDir, 'SPM.mat'), opt);
 
-  delete(fullfile(pwd, 'SPM.mat'));
+  printAvailableContrasts(SPM);
 
 end
diff --git a/tests/tests_unit/IO/test_saveOptions.m b/tests/tests_unit/IO/test_saveOptions.m
index fca41ed76..92cb6d943 100644
--- a/tests/tests_unit/IO/test_saveOptions.m
+++ b/tests/tests_unit/IO/test_saveOptions.m
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
-% (C) Copyright 2020 bidspm developers
-
 function test_suite = test_saveOptions %#ok<*STOUT>
+  % (C) Copyright 2020 bidspm developers
   try % assignment of 'localfunctions' is necessary in Matlab >= 2016
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
@@ -11,6 +10,7 @@
 function test_saveOptions_basic()
 
   opt = setOptions('dummy');
+  opt.dir.derivatives = tempName();
 
   saveOptions(opt);
 
@@ -18,6 +18,4 @@ function test_saveOptions_basic()
 
   assertEqual(exist(expected, 'file'), 2);
 
-  cleanUp(fullfile(opt.dir.derivatives, 'options'));
-
 end
diff --git a/tests/tests_unit/IO/test_saveSpmScript.m b/tests/tests_unit/IO/test_saveSpmScript.m
index bde5470b3..c58674e18 100644
--- a/tests/tests_unit/IO/test_saveSpmScript.m
+++ b/tests/tests_unit/IO/test_saveSpmScript.m
@@ -1,19 +1,16 @@
 function test_suite = test_saveSpmScript %#ok<*STOUT>
-  %
-
   % (C) Copyright 2022 bidspm developers
-
   try % assignment of 'localfunctions' is necessary in Matlab >= 2016
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_saveSpmScript_basic()
 
+  PWD = setUp();
+
   % GIVEN
   matlabbatch{1}.cfg_basicio.cfg_named_file.name = 'Anatomical';
   anatFile = fullfile('home', 'smith', 'raw', 'sub-01', 'anat', 'sub-01_T1w.nii');
@@ -40,12 +37,14 @@ function test_saveSpmScript_basic()
 
   assertEqual(actualContent, expectedContent);
 
-  cleanUp();
+  cd(PWD);
 
 end
 
 function test_saveSpmScript_output_name()
 
+  PWD = setUp();
+
   % GIVEN
   matlabbatch{1}.cfg_basicio.cfg_named_file.name = 'Anatomical';
   anatFile = fullfile('home', 'smith', 'raw', 'sub-01', 'anat', 'sub-01_T1w.nii');
@@ -61,7 +60,7 @@ function test_saveSpmScript_output_name()
   expectedContent = fullfile(getTestDataDir(), 'dummy_batch.m');
   compareContent(outputFilename, expectedFile);
 
-  cleanUp();
+  cd(PWD);
 
 end
 
@@ -69,21 +68,23 @@ function test_saveSpmScript_from_file()
 
   % TODO add tests to overwrite output filename
 
+  tmpDir = tempName();
+  copyfile(fullfile(getTestDataDir(), 'mat_files'), tmpDir);
+  if bids.internal.is_octave
+    tmpDir = fullfile(tmpDir, 'mat_files');
+  end
+
   % GIVEN
-  inputMatFile = fullfile(getTestDataDir(), 'mat_files', 'dummy_batch.mat');
+  inputMatFile = fullfile(tmpDir, 'dummy_batch.mat');
 
   % WHEN
   outputFilename = saveSpmScript(inputMatFile);
 
   % THEN
-  expectedFile = fullfile(getTestDataDir(), 'mat_files', 'dummy_batch.m');
+  expectedFile = fullfile(tmpDir, 'dummy_batch.m');
   assertEqual(exist(expectedFile, 'file'), 2);
-
-  expectedFile = fullfile(getTestDataDir(), 'dummy_batch.m');
   compareContent(outputFilename, expectedFile);
 
-  cleanUp();
-
 end
 
 function compareContent(actualFile, expectedFile)
@@ -100,13 +101,9 @@ function compareContent(actualFile, expectedFile)
 
 end
 
-function setUp()
-
-end
-
-function cleanUp()
-
-  delete batch*.m;
-  delete(fullfile(getTestDataDir(), 'mat_files', 'dummy_batch.m'));
-
+function PWD = setUp()
+  PWD = pwd;
+  tmpDir = tempName();
+  cd(tmpDir);
+  spm_mkdir cfg;
 end
diff --git a/tests/tests_unit/test_cleanCrash.m b/tests/tests_unit/test_cleanCrash.m
index a0e463496..cf198a824 100644
--- a/tests/tests_unit/test_cleanCrash.m
+++ b/tests/tests_unit/test_cleanCrash.m
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
-% (C) Copyright 2020 bidspm developers
-
 function test_suite = test_cleanCrash %#ok<*STOUT>
+  % (C) Copyright 2020 bidspm developers
   try % assignment of 'localfunctions' is necessary in Matlab >= 2016
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
@@ -10,14 +9,18 @@
 
 function test_cleanCrash_basic()
 
-  system('touch spm_001.png');
-  system('touch 001.png');
+  tmpDir = tempName();
+  PWD = pwd;
+  cd(tmpDir);
+
+  touch('spm_001.png');
+  touch('001.png');
 
   cleanCrash();
 
-  assertEqual(exist(fullfile(pwd, '001.png'), 'file'), 2);
-  assertEqual(exist(fullfile(pwd, 'spm_001.png'), 'file'), 0);
+  assertEqual(exist(fullfile(tmpDir, '001.png'), 'file'), 2);
+  assertEqual(exist(fullfile(tmpDir, 'spm_001.png'), 'file'), 0);
 
-  delete(fullfile(pwd, '001.png'));
+  cd(PWD);
 
 end
diff --git a/tests/tests_unit/test_copyGraphWindownOutput.m b/tests/tests_unit/test_copyGraphWindownOutput.m
index bfc69fe4e..7699595a0 100644
--- a/tests/tests_unit/test_copyGraphWindownOutput.m
+++ b/tests/tests_unit/test_copyGraphWindownOutput.m
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
-% (C) Copyright 2020 bidspm developers
-
 function test_suite = test_copyGraphWindownOutput %#ok<*STOUT>
+  % (C) Copyright 2020 bidspm developers
   try % assignment of 'localfunctions' is necessary in Matlab >= 2016
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
@@ -10,26 +9,25 @@
 
 function test_copyGraphWindownOutput_basic()
 
-  [opt, subLabel, action] = setUp();
+  [opt, subLabel, action, PWD] = setUp();
 
   imgNb = 1:2;
 
-  system('touch spm_001.png');
-  system('touch spm_002.png');
+  touch(fullfile(opt.dir.preproc, 'spm_001.png'));
+  touch(fullfile(opt.dir.preproc, 'spm_002.png'));
 
   imgNb = copyGraphWindownOutput(opt, subLabel, action, imgNb);
 
   assertEqual(imgNb, 3);
 
-  files = spm_select( ...
-                     'List', ...
+  files = spm_select('List', ...
                      fullfile(opt.dir.preproc, ['sub-' subLabel], 'figures'), ...
                      ['^' datestr(now, 'yyyymmddHH') '.*_[0-9]_sub-01_task-dummy_testStep.png']);
 
   assert(~isempty(files));
   assertEqual(size(files, 1), 2);
 
-  cleanUp(fullfile(opt.dir.preproc, ['sub-' subLabel]));
+  cd(PWD);
 
 end
 
@@ -39,36 +37,34 @@ function test_copyGraphWindownOutput_warning()
     moxunit_throw_test_skipped_exception('Octave:mixed-string-concat warning thrown');
   end
 
-  [opt, subLabel, action] = setUp();
+  [opt, subLabel, action, PWD] = setUp();
   opt.verbosity = 1;
 
-  system('touch spm_002.png');
-  system('touch spm_test_002.png');
+  touch(fullfile(opt.dir.preproc, 'spm_002.png'));
+  touch(fullfile(opt.dir.preproc, 'spm_test_002.png'));
 
-  assertWarning( ...
-                @()copyGraphWindownOutput(opt, subLabel, action, 2), ...
+  assertWarning(@()copyGraphWindownOutput(opt, subLabel, action, 2), ...
                 'copyGraphWindownOutput:tooManyFiles');
 
-  assertWarning( ...
-                @()copyGraphWindownOutput(opt, subLabel, action, 3), ...
+  assertWarning(@()copyGraphWindownOutput(opt, subLabel, action, 3), ...
                 'copyGraphWindownOutput:noFile');
 
-  cleanUp(fullfile(opt.dir.preproc, ['sub-' subLabel]));
+  cd(PWD);
 
 end
 
-function [opt, subLabel, action] = setUp()
-
-  delete('*.png');
+function [opt, subLabel, action, PWD] = setUp()
 
-  pause(1);
+  PWD = pwd;
 
   subLabel = '01';
 
   opt = setOptions('dummy', subLabel);
   opt.verbosity = 0;
-  opt.dir.preproc = pwd;
+  opt.dir.preproc = tempName();
 
   action = 'testStep';
 
+  cd(opt.dir.preproc);
+
 end
diff --git a/tests/tests_unit/test_matToTsv.m b/tests/tests_unit/test_matToTsv.m
index a5e4cf91d..238f6c2c7 100644
--- a/tests/tests_unit/test_matToTsv.m
+++ b/tests/tests_unit/test_matToTsv.m
@@ -1,48 +1,37 @@
 function test_suite = test_matToTsv %#ok<*STOUT>
-  %
-
   % (C) Copyright 2022 bidspm developers
-
   try % assignment of 'localfunctions' is necessary in Matlab >= 2016
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_onsetMatToTsv_basic()
 
-  % GIVEN
-  onsetsMatFile = fullfile(getTestDataDir(), 'mat_files', 'task-olfid_onsets.mat');
-  % WHEN
-  onsetsTsvFile = onsetsMatToTsv(onsetsMatFile);
-  % THEN
-  assertEqual(exist(onsetsTsvFile, 'file'), 2);
+  tmpDir = tempName();
+  copyfile(fullfile(getTestDataDir(), 'mat_files'), tmpDir);
+  if bids.internal.is_octave()
+    tmpDir = fullfile(tmpDir, 'mat_files');
+  end
 
-  cleanUp(onsetsTsvFile);
+  onsetsMatFile = fullfile(tmpDir, 'task-olfid_onsets.mat');
 
+  onsetsTsvFile = onsetsMatToTsv(onsetsMatFile);
+
+  assertEqual(exist(onsetsTsvFile, 'file'), 2);
 end
 
 function test_regressorsMatToTsv_basic()
+  tmpDir = tempName();
+  copyfile(fullfile(getTestDataDir(), 'mat_files'), tmpDir);
+  if bids.internal.is_octave()
+    tmpDir = fullfile(tmpDir, 'mat_files');
+  end
 
-  % GIVEN
-  regressorsMatFile = fullfile(getTestDataDir(), 'mat_files', ...
-                               'task-olfid_desc-confounds_regressors.mat');
-  % WHEN
-  regressorsTsvFile = regressorsMatToTsv(regressorsMatFile);
-  % THEN
-  assertEqual(exist(regressorsTsvFile, 'file'), 2);
-
-  cleanUp(regressorsTsvFile);
-
-end
-
-function setUp()
+  regressorsMatFile = fullfile(tmpDir, 'task-olfid_desc-confounds_regressors.mat');
 
-end
+  regressorsTsvFile = regressorsMatToTsv(regressorsMatFile);
 
-function cleanUp(file)
-  delete(file);
+  assertEqual(exist(regressorsTsvFile, 'file'), 2);
 end
diff --git a/tests/tests_unit/test_renamePng.m b/tests/tests_unit/test_renamePng.m
index 1786d5743..56662312f 100644
--- a/tests/tests_unit/test_renamePng.m
+++ b/tests/tests_unit/test_renamePng.m
@@ -10,15 +10,10 @@
 
 function test_renamePng_basic()
 
-  outputDir = fullfile(pwd, 'tmp');
+  outputDir = tempName();
 
-  if isdir(outputDir)
-    rmdir(outputDir, 's');
-  end
-
-  mkdir(outputDir);
-  system('touch tmp/sub-foo_designmatrix_001.png');
-  system('touch tmp/sub-foo_designmatrix_002.png');
+  touch(fullfile(outputDir, 'sub-foo_designmatrix_001.png'));
+  touch(fullfile(outputDir, 'sub-foo_designmatrix_002.png'));
 
   files = dir(fullfile(outputDir, 'sub*_00*.png'));
   assertEqual(numel(files), 2);
@@ -31,6 +26,4 @@ function test_renamePng_basic()
   files = dir(fullfile(outputDir, 'sub*_designmatrix.png'));
   assertEqual(numel(files), 1);
 
-  rmdir(outputDir, 's');
-
 end
diff --git a/tests/tests_unit/test_returnVolumeList.m b/tests/tests_unit/test_returnVolumeList.m
index 2806b1e5e..559eee6b2 100644
--- a/tests/tests_unit/test_returnVolumeList.m
+++ b/tests/tests_unit/test_returnVolumeList.m
@@ -7,9 +7,7 @@
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_returnVolumeList_basic()
diff --git a/tests/tests_unit/test_volumeSplicing.m b/tests/tests_unit/test_volumeSplicing.m
index aaa234d61..74a3e4849 100644
--- a/tests/tests_unit/test_volumeSplicing.m
+++ b/tests/tests_unit/test_volumeSplicing.m
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
-% (C) Copyright 2022 bidspm developers
-
 function test_suite = test_volumeSplicing %#ok<*STOUT>
+  % (C) Copyright 2022 bidspm developers
   try % assignment of 'localfunctions' is necessary in Matlab >= 2016
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
diff --git a/tests/tests_unit/test_warnings.m b/tests/tests_unit/test_warnings.m
index fec5d9a73..e3b4cf974 100644
--- a/tests/tests_unit/test_warnings.m
+++ b/tests/tests_unit/test_warnings.m
@@ -7,9 +7,7 @@
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
   end
-
   initTestSuite;
-
 end
 
 function test_noSPMmat()
diff --git a/tests/tests_utils/test_loadAndCheckOptions.m b/tests/tests_utils/test_loadAndCheckOptions.m
index c0c43d450..e719f9530 100644
--- a/tests/tests_utils/test_loadAndCheckOptions.m
+++ b/tests/tests_utils/test_loadAndCheckOptions.m
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
-% (C) Copyright 2020 bidspm developers
-
 function test_suite = test_loadAndCheckOptions %#ok<*STOUT>
+  % (C) Copyright 2020 bidspm developers
   try % assignment of 'localfunctions' is necessary in Matlab >= 2016
     test_functions = localfunctions(); %#ok<*NASGU>
   catch % no problem; early Matlab versions can use initTestSuite fine
@@ -10,7 +9,7 @@
 
 function test_loadAndCheckOptions_basic()
 
-  setUp();
+  PWD = setUp();
 
   % create dummy json file
   jsonContent.taskName = 'vismotion';
@@ -25,13 +24,12 @@ function test_loadAndCheckOptions_basic()
   expectedOptions.verbosity = 0;
   assertEqual(opt, expectedOptions);
 
-  cleanUp(fullfile(pwd, 'cfg'));
-
+  teardown(PWD);
 end
 
 function test_loadAndCheckOptions_structure()
 
-  setUp();
+  PWD = setUp();
 
   % create dummy json file
   opt = setTestCfg();
@@ -45,13 +43,12 @@ function test_loadAndCheckOptions_structure()
 
   assertEqual(opt, expectedOptions);
 
-  cleanUp(fullfile(pwd, 'cfg'));
-
+  teardown(PWD);
 end
 
 function test_loadAndCheckOptions_from_file()
 
-  setUp();
+  PWD = setUp();
 
   % create dummy json file
   jsonContent.taskName = 'vismotion';
@@ -72,13 +69,12 @@ function test_loadAndCheckOptions_from_file()
 
   assertEqual(opt, expectedOptions);
 
-  cleanUp(fullfile(pwd, 'cfg'));
-
+  teardown(PWD);
 end
 
 function test_loadAndCheckOptions_from_several_files()
 
-  setUp();
+  PWD = setUp();
 
   % create old dummy json file
   jsonContent.taskName = 'vismotion';
@@ -113,13 +109,12 @@ function test_loadAndCheckOptions_from_several_files()
 
   assertEqual(opt, expectedOptions);
 
-  cleanUp(fullfile(pwd, 'cfg'));
-
+  teardown(PWD);
 end
 
 function test_loadAndCheckOptions_moae()
 
-  setUp();
+  PWD = setUp();
 
   jsonContent = setOptions('MoAE');
   jsonContent.verbosity = 0;
@@ -129,18 +124,22 @@ function test_loadAndCheckOptions_moae()
 
   opt = loadAndCheckOptions(optionJsonFile);
 
-  cleanUp(fullfile(pwd, 'cfg'));
+  teardown(PWD);
 
 end
 
-function setUp
+function PWD = setUp()
+  PWD = pwd;
+  tmpDir = tempName();
+  cd(tmpDir);
   spm_mkdir cfg;
-  delete(fullfile(pwd, 'cfg', '*.json'));
 end
 
-function opt = setTestCfg()
+function teardown(pth)
+  cd(pth);
+end
 
+function opt = setTestCfg()
   opt.verbosity = 0;
   opt.dryRun = true;
-
 end
diff --git a/tests/utils/getLayout.m b/tests/utils/getLayout.m
index 1266e8050..fb307fa7c 100644
--- a/tests/utils/getLayout.m
+++ b/tests/utils/getLayout.m
@@ -7,7 +7,10 @@
   try
     load(fullfile(opt.dir.preproc, 'layout.mat'), 'BIDS');
   catch
-    BIDS = bids.layout(opt.dir.preproc, 'use_schema', false, 'verbose', opt.verbosity > 0, ...
+    fprintf('\n\n\t\tINDEXING: %s \n\n', opt.dir.preproc);
+    BIDS = bids.layout(opt.dir.preproc, ...
+                       'use_schema', false, ...
+                       'verbose', opt.verbosity > 0, ...
                        'index_dependencies', false);
     BIDS.raw = bids.layout(opt.dir.raw);
   end
diff --git a/tests/utils/setOptions.m b/tests/utils/setOptions.m
index ee4b123a4..61c8b93de 100644
--- a/tests/utils/setOptions.m
+++ b/tests/utils/setOptions.m
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
   addOptional(args, 'subLabel', default_subLabel, charOrCell);
   addParameter(args, 'useRaw', default_useRaw, @islogical);
   addParameter(args, 'pipelineType', default_pipelineType);
+  addParameter(args, 'useTempDir', false);
 
   parse(args, varargin{:});
 
@@ -135,9 +136,22 @@
 
   opt = checkOptions(opt);
 
-  useRaw = args.Results.useRaw;
-  if useRaw
+  if args.Results.useRaw
     opt.dir.preproc = getTestDataDir('raw');
   end
 
+  if args.Results.useTempDir
+    tmpDir = tempName();
+    copyfile(getTestDataDir(), tmpDir);
+    if bids.internal.is_octave()
+      tmpDir = fullfile(tmpDir, 'data');
+    end
+    dirsToUpdate = {'stats', 'derivatives', 'preproc', 'raw', 'input', 'jobs', 'output'};
+    for i = 1:numel(dirsToUpdate)
+      opt.dir.(dirsToUpdate{i}) = strrep(opt.dir.(dirsToUpdate{i}), ...
+                                         getTestDataDir(), ...
+                                         tmpDir);
+    end
+  end
+
 end
diff --git a/tests/utils/touch.m b/tests/utils/touch.m
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d9b4c2c72
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/utils/touch.m
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+function touch(filename)
+  % (C) Copyright 2023 bidspm developers
+  [pth, file, ext] = fileparts(filename);
+  if isempty(pth)
+    pth = pwd;
+  end
+  spm_mkdir(pth);
+
+  filename = fullfile(pth, [file, ext]);
+
+  fid = fopen(filename, 'w');
+  fprintf(fid, 'this is a dummy file');
+  fclose(fid);
+
+end