The whole backend api/v1 test suite hits `app` via TestClient mimo Caddy, so
rbac_guard (app/main.py) 401'd every authed request (no X-Authenticated-User)
— 112 tests red, the suite effectively dead (which is how #994's district 500
shipped uncaught). Add `settings.testing` (default False — prod RBAC untouched)
+ a strictly-gated bypass at the top of rbac_guard; tests/conftest.py enables it
(env TESTING=1 + settings.testing=True before app import).
Security: bypass fires ONLY when settings.testing is True, which is set NOWHERE
in prod (default False; only tests/conftest.py flips it). RBAC's 401/403 logic
stays covered by tests/test_rbac.py (its own middleware copy, ignores the flag).
Effect: 112 → 42 failed, 1590 → 1660 passed. Remaining 42 (+5 mv_layout env
errors) are stale-mock/assertion drift + env-required tests — fixed in CI-rehab
2/3. Foundation for a real Forgejo pytest gate (3/3).
Refs #944.