diff --git a/test/test_command_integration.rb b/test/test_command_integration.rb
index 8febd88e..0d773b0d 100644
--- a/test/test_command_integration.rb
+++ b/test/test_command_integration.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 require 'helper'
+
 describe "commands" do
+  before do
+    @str_output = StringIO.new
+  end
 
   describe "alias_command" do
     it 'should make an aliasd command behave like its original' do
@@ -112,6 +116,162 @@ describe "commands" do
     end
   end
 
+  describe "Pry::Command#run" do
+    it 'should allow running of commands with following whitespace' do
+      $_scratch = Object.new
+      o = Object.new
+
+      set = Pry::CommandSet.new do
+        import Pry::Commands
+        command "test-run" do
+          run "cd / "
+        end
+      end
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd 1/2/3/4/5/6/$_scratch",
+                                      "@nesting1 = _pry_.binding_stack.size",
+                                      "test-run",
+                                         "@obj = self",
+                                      "@nesting2 = _pry_.binding_stack.size",
+                                      "exit-all")) do
+        Pry.start(o, :commands => set)
+      end
+
+      $_scratch.instance_variable_get(:@nesting1).should == 8
+      o.instance_variable_get(:@obj).should == o
+      o.instance_variable_get(:@nesting2).should == 1
+      $_scratch = nil
+    end
+
+    it 'should allow running of cd command when contained in a single string' do
+      $_scratch = Object.new
+      o = Object.new
+
+      set = Pry::CommandSet.new do
+        import Pry::Commands
+        command "test-run" do
+          run "cd /"
+        end
+      end
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd 1/2/3/4/5/6/$_scratch",
+                                      "@nesting1 = _pry_.binding_stack.size",
+                                      "test-run",
+                                         "@obj = self",
+                                      "@nesting2 = _pry_.binding_stack.size",
+                                      "exit-all")) do
+        Pry.start(o, :commands => set)
+      end
+
+      $_scratch.instance_variable_get(:@nesting1).should == 8
+      o.instance_variable_get(:@obj).should == o
+      o.instance_variable_get(:@nesting2).should == 1
+      $_scratch = nil
+    end
+
+    it 'should allow running of cd command when split into array' do
+      $_scratch = Object.new
+      o = Object.new
+
+      set = Pry::CommandSet.new do
+        import Pry::Commands
+        command "test-run" do
+          run "cd", "/"
+        end
+      end
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd 1/2/3/4/5/6/$_scratch",
+                                      "@nesting1 = _pry_.binding_stack.size",
+                                      "test-run",
+                                         "@obj = self",
+                                      "@nesting2 = _pry_.binding_stack.size",
+                                      "exit-all")) do
+        Pry.start(o, :commands => set)
+      end
+
+      $_scratch.instance_variable_get(:@nesting1).should == 8
+      o.instance_variable_get(:@obj).should == o
+      o.instance_variable_get(:@nesting2).should == 1
+      $_scratch = nil
+    end
+
+    it 'should run a command from within a command' do
+      klass = Pry::CommandSet.new do
+        command "v" do
+          output.puts "v command"
+        end
+
+        command "run_v" do
+          run "v"
+        end
+      end
+
+      Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("run_v"), :output => @str_output, :commands => klass).rep
+
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /v command/
+    end
+
+    it 'should run a regex command from within a command' do
+      klass = Pry::CommandSet.new do
+        command /v(.*)?/ do |arg|
+          output.puts "v #{arg}"
+        end
+
+        command "run_v" do
+          run "vbaby"
+        end
+      end
+
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("run_v"), @str_output) do
+        Pry.new(:commands => klass).rep
+      end
+
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /v baby/
+    end
+
+    it 'should run a command from within a command with arguments' do
+      klass = Pry::CommandSet.new do
+        command /v(\w+)/ do |arg1, arg2|
+          output.puts "v #{arg1} #{arg2}"
+        end
+
+        command "run_v_explicit_parameter" do
+          run "vbaby", "param"
+        end
+
+        command "run_v_embedded_parameter" do
+          run "vbaby param"
+        end
+      end
+
+      ["run_v_explicit_parameter", "run_v_embedded_parameter"].each do |cmd|
+        redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new(cmd), @str_output) do
+          Pry.new(:commands => klass).rep
+        end
+        @str_output.string.should =~ /v baby param/
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  describe "Pry#run_command" do
+    it 'should run a command in a specified context' do
+      b = Pry.binding_for(7)
+      p = Pry.new(:output => @str_output)
+      p.run_command("ls -m", "", b)
+      p.output.string.should =~ /divmod/
+    end
+
+    it 'should run a command that modifies the passed in eval_string' do
+      b = Pry.binding_for(7)
+      p = Pry.new(:output => @str_output)
+      eval_string = "def hello\npeter pan\n"
+      p.run_command("amend-line !", eval_string, b)
+      eval_string.should =~ /def hello/
+      eval_string.should.not =~ /peter pan/
+    end
+
+    it 'should run a command in the context of a session' do
+      mock_pry("@session_ivar = 10", "_pry_.run_command('ls')").should =~ /@session_ivar/
+    end
+  end
+
   it 'should interpolate ruby code into commands' do
     klass = Pry::CommandSet.new do
       command "hello", "", :keep_retval => true do |arg|
@@ -120,19 +280,18 @@ describe "commands" do
     end
 
     $test_interpolation = "bing"
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new('hello #{$test_interpolation}'), :output => str_output, :commands => klass).rep
-    str_output.string.should =~ /bing/
+    Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new('hello #{$test_interpolation}'), :output => @str_output, :commands => klass).rep
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /bing/
     $test_interpolation = nil
   end
 
   # bug fix for https://github.com/pry/pry/issues/170
   it 'should not choke on complex string interpolation when checking if ruby code is a command' do
-    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new('/#{Regexp.escape(File.expand_path("."))}/'), str_output = StringIO.new) do
+    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new('/#{Regexp.escape(File.expand_path("."))}/'), @str_output) do
       pry
     end
 
-    str_output.string.should.not =~ /SyntaxError/
+    @str_output.string.should.not =~ /SyntaxError/
   end
 
   it 'should NOT interpolate ruby code into commands if :interpolate => false' do
@@ -143,24 +302,24 @@ describe "commands" do
     end
 
     $test_interpolation = "bing"
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new('hello #{$test_interpolation}'), :output => str_output, :commands => klass).rep
-    str_output.string.should =~ /test_interpolation/
+    Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new('hello #{$test_interpolation}'), :output => @str_output, :commands => klass).rep
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /test_interpolation/
     $test_interpolation = nil
   end
 
   it 'should NOT try to interpolate pure ruby code (no commands) ' do
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new('format \'#{aggy}\''), :output => str_output).rep
-    str_output.string.should.not =~ /NameError/
+    Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new('format \'#{aggy}\''), :output => @str_output).rep
+    @str_output.string.should.not =~ /NameError/
 
-    Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new('format #{aggy}'), :output => str_output).rep
-    str_output.string.should.not =~ /NameError/
+    @str_output = StringIO.new
+    Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new('format #{aggy}'), :output => @str_output).rep
+    @str_output.string.should.not =~ /NameError/
 
     $test_interpolation = "blah"
-    Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new('format \'#{$test_interpolation}\''), :output => str_output).rep
+    @str_output = StringIO.new
+    Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new('format \'#{$test_interpolation}\''), :output => @str_output).rep
 
-    str_output.string.should.not =~ /blah/
+    @str_output.string.should.not =~ /blah/
     $test_interpolation = nil
   end
 
@@ -171,12 +330,11 @@ describe "commands" do
       end
     end
 
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hello baby", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hello baby", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
       Pry.new(:commands => set).rep
     end
 
-    str_output.string.should =~ /hello baby command/
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /hello baby command/
   end
 
   it 'should create a command with a space in its name and pass an argument' do
@@ -186,12 +344,11 @@ describe "commands" do
       end
     end
 
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hello baby john"), str_output) do
+    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hello baby john"), @str_output) do
       Pry.new(:commands => set).rep
     end
 
-    str_output.string.should =~ /hello baby command john/
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /hello baby command john/
   end
 
   it 'should create a regex command and be able to invoke it' do
@@ -202,12 +359,11 @@ describe "commands" do
       end
     end
 
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hello1"), str_output) do
+    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hello1"), @str_output) do
       Pry.new(:commands => set).rep
     end
 
-    str_output.string.should =~ /hello1/
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /hello1/
   end
 
   it 'should create a regex command and pass captures into the args list before regular arguments' do
@@ -217,12 +373,11 @@ describe "commands" do
       end
     end
 
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hello1 baby"), str_output) do
+    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hello1 baby"), @str_output) do
       Pry.new(:commands => set).rep
     end
 
-    str_output.string.should =~ /hello 1 baby/
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /hello 1 baby/
   end
 
   it 'should create a regex command and interpolate the captures' do
@@ -232,13 +387,13 @@ describe "commands" do
       end
     end
 
-    str_output = StringIO.new
     $obj = "bing"
-    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new('hello #{$obj}'), str_output) do
+    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new('hello #{$obj}'), @str_output) do
       Pry.new(:commands => set).rep
     end
 
-    str_output.string.should =~ /hello bing/
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /hello bing/
+
     $obj = nil
   end
 
@@ -249,22 +404,18 @@ describe "commands" do
       end
     end
 
-    str_output = StringIO.new
     $a1 = "bing"
     $a2 = "bong"
     $a3 = "bang"
-    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new('hellojohn #{$a1} #{$a2} #{$a3}'), str_output) do
+    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new('hellojohn #{$a1} #{$a2} #{$a3}'), @str_output) do
       Pry.new(:commands => set).rep
     end
 
-    str_output.string.should =~ /hello john bing bong bang/
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /hello john bing bong bang/
 
-    $a1 = nil
-    $a2 = nil
-    $a3 = nil
+    $a1 = $a2 = $a3 = nil
   end
 
-
   it 'if a regex capture is missing it should be nil' do
     set = Pry::CommandSet.new do
       command /hello(.)?/, "" do |c1, a1|
@@ -272,22 +423,20 @@ describe "commands" do
       end
     end
 
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hello baby"), str_output) do
+    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hello baby"), @str_output) do
       Pry.new(:commands => set).rep
     end
 
-    str_output.string.should =~ /hello nil baby/
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /hello nil baby/
   end
 
   it 'should create a command in  a nested context and that command should be accessible from the parent' do
-    str_output = StringIO.new
     x = "@x=nil\ncd 7\n_pry_.commands.instance_eval {\ncommand('bing') { |arg| run arg }\n}\ncd ..\nbing ls\nexit-all"
-    redirect_pry_io(StringIO.new("@x=nil\ncd 7\n_pry_.commands.instance_eval {\ncommand('bing') { |arg| run arg }\n}\ncd ..\nbing ls\nexit-all"), str_output) do
+    redirect_pry_io(StringIO.new("@x=nil\ncd 7\n_pry_.commands.instance_eval {\ncommand('bing') { |arg| run arg }\n}\ncd ..\nbing ls\nexit-all"), @str_output) do
       Pry.new.repl(0)
     end
 
-    str_output.string.should =~ /@x/
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /@x/
   end
 
   it 'should define a command that keeps its return value' do
@@ -296,10 +445,10 @@ describe "commands" do
         :kept_hello
       end
     end
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("hello\n"), :output => str_output, :commands => klass).rep
-    str_output.string.should =~ /:kept_hello/
-    str_output.string.should =~ /=>/
+
+    Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("hello\n"), :output => @str_output, :commands => klass).rep
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /:kept_hello/
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /=>/
   end
 
   it 'should define a command that does NOT keep its return value' do
@@ -308,10 +457,10 @@ describe "commands" do
         :kept_hello
       end
     end
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("hello\n"), :output => str_output, :commands => klass).rep
-    (str_output.string =~ /:kept_hello/).should == nil
-str_output.string !~ /=>/
+
+    Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("hello\n"), :output => @str_output, :commands => klass).rep
+    (@str_output.string =~ /:kept_hello/).should == nil
+    @str_output.string !~ /=>/
   end
 
   it 'should define a command that keeps its return value even when nil' do
@@ -320,10 +469,11 @@ str_output.string !~ /=>/
         nil
       end
     end
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("hello\n"), :output => str_output, :commands => klass).rep
-    str_output.string.should =~ /nil/
-  str_output.string.should =~ /=>/
+
+    Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("hello\n"), :output => @str_output, :commands => klass).rep
+
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /nil/
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /=>/
   end
 
   it 'should define a command that keeps its return value but does not return when value is void' do
@@ -332,9 +482,9 @@ str_output.string !~ /=>/
         void
       end
     end
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("hello\n"), :output => str_output, :commands => klass).rep
-    str_output.string.empty?.should == true
+
+    Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("hello\n"), :output => @str_output, :commands => klass).rep
+    @str_output.string.empty?.should == true
   end
 
   it 'a command (with :keep_retval => false) that replaces eval_string with a valid expression should not have the expression value suppressed' do
@@ -343,9 +493,9 @@ str_output.string !~ /=>/
         eval_string.replace("6")
       end
     end
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("def yo\nhello\n"), :output => str_output, :commands => klass).rep
-    str_output.string.should =~ /6/
+
+    Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("def yo\nhello\n"), :output => @str_output, :commands => klass).rep
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /6/
   end
 
 
@@ -356,10 +506,11 @@ str_output.string !~ /=>/
         7
       end
     end
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("def yo\nhello\n"), :output => str_output, :commands => klass).rep
-    str_output.string.should =~ /7/
-    str_output.string.should.not =~ /6/
+
+    Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("def yo\nhello\n"), :output => @str_output, :commands => klass).rep
+
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /7/
+    @str_output.string.should.not =~ /6/
   end
 
   it 'a command that return a value in a multi-line expression should clear the expression and return the value' do
@@ -368,11 +519,11 @@ str_output.string !~ /=>/
         5
       end
     end
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("def yo\nhello\n"), :output => str_output, :commands => klass).rep
-    str_output.string.should =~ /5/
-  end
 
+    Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("def yo\nhello\n"), :output => @str_output, :commands => klass).rep
+
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /5/
+  end
 
   it 'should set the commands default, and the default should be overridable' do
     klass = Pry::CommandSet.new do
@@ -383,9 +534,8 @@ str_output.string !~ /=>/
 
     Pry.commands = klass
 
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("hello"), :output => str_output).rep
-    str_output.string.should =~ /hello world/
+    Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("hello"), :output => @str_output).rep
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /hello world/
 
     other_klass = Pry::CommandSet.new do
       command "goodbye", "" do
@@ -393,10 +543,10 @@ str_output.string !~ /=>/
       end
     end
 
-    str_output = StringIO.new
+    @str_output = StringIO.new
 
-    Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("goodbye"), :output => str_output, :commands => other_klass).rep
-    str_output.string.should =~ /goodbye world/
+    Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("goodbye"), :output => @str_output, :commands => other_klass).rep
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /goodbye world/
   end
 
   it 'should inherit commands from Pry::Commands' do
@@ -421,144 +571,6 @@ str_output.string !~ /=>/
     klass.commands["help"].description.should == "blah"
   end
 
-
-describe "Pry::Command#run" do
-it 'should allow running of commands with following whitespace' do
-  $_scratch = Object.new
-  o = Object.new
-
-  set = Pry::CommandSet.new do
-    import Pry::Commands
-    command "test-run" do
-      run "cd / "
-    end
-  end
-  redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd 1/2/3/4/5/6/$_scratch",
-                                  "@nesting1 = _pry_.binding_stack.size",
-                                  "test-run",
-                                     "@obj = self",
-                                  "@nesting2 = _pry_.binding_stack.size",
-                                  "exit-all")) do
-    Pry.start(o, :commands => set)
-  end
-
-  $_scratch.instance_variable_get(:@nesting1).should == 8
-  o.instance_variable_get(:@obj).should == o
-  o.instance_variable_get(:@nesting2).should == 1
-  $_scratch = nil
-end
-
-it 'should allow running of cd command when contained in a single string' do
-  $_scratch = Object.new
-  o = Object.new
-
-  set = Pry::CommandSet.new do
-    import Pry::Commands
-    command "test-run" do
-      run "cd /"
-    end
-  end
-  redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd 1/2/3/4/5/6/$_scratch",
-                                  "@nesting1 = _pry_.binding_stack.size",
-                                  "test-run",
-                                     "@obj = self",
-                                  "@nesting2 = _pry_.binding_stack.size",
-                                  "exit-all")) do
-    Pry.start(o, :commands => set)
-  end
-
-  $_scratch.instance_variable_get(:@nesting1).should == 8
-  o.instance_variable_get(:@obj).should == o
-  o.instance_variable_get(:@nesting2).should == 1
-  $_scratch = nil
-end
-
-it 'should allow running of cd command when split into array' do
-  $_scratch = Object.new
-  o = Object.new
-
-  set = Pry::CommandSet.new do
-    import Pry::Commands
-    command "test-run" do
-      run "cd", "/"
-    end
-  end
-  redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd 1/2/3/4/5/6/$_scratch",
-                                  "@nesting1 = _pry_.binding_stack.size",
-                                  "test-run",
-                                     "@obj = self",
-                                  "@nesting2 = _pry_.binding_stack.size",
-                                  "exit-all")) do
-    Pry.start(o, :commands => set)
-  end
-
-  $_scratch.instance_variable_get(:@nesting1).should == 8
-  o.instance_variable_get(:@obj).should == o
-  o.instance_variable_get(:@nesting2).should == 1
-  $_scratch = nil
-end
-
-  it 'should run a command from within a command' do
-    klass = Pry::CommandSet.new do
-      command "v" do
-        output.puts "v command"
-      end
-
-      command "run_v" do
-        run "v"
-      end
-    end
-
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("run_v"), :output => str_output, :commands => klass).rep
-    str_output.string.should =~ /v command/
-  end
-
-  it 'should run a regex command from within a command' do
-    klass = Pry::CommandSet.new do
-      command /v(.*)?/ do |arg|
-        output.puts "v #{arg}"
-      end
-
-      command "run_v" do
-        run "vbaby"
-      end
-    end
-
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("run_v"), str_output) do
-      Pry.new(:commands => klass).rep
-    end
-
-    str_output.string.should =~ /v baby/
-  end
-
-  it 'should run a command from within a command with arguments' do
-    klass = Pry::CommandSet.new do
-      command /v(\w+)/ do |arg1, arg2|
-        output.puts "v #{arg1} #{arg2}"
-      end
-
-      command "run_v_explicit_parameter" do
-        run "vbaby", "param"
-      end
-
-      command "run_v_embedded_parameter" do
-        run "vbaby param"
-      end
-    end
-
-    ["run_v_explicit_parameter", "run_v_embedded_parameter"].each do |cmd|
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new(cmd), str_output) do
-        Pry.new(:commands => klass).rep
-      end
-      str_output.string.should =~ /v baby param/
-    end
-  end
-
-end
-
   it 'should enable an inherited method to access opts and output and target, due to instance_exec' do
     klass = Pry::CommandSet.new do
       command "v" do
@@ -569,11 +581,10 @@ end
     child_klass = Pry::CommandSet.new klass do
     end
 
-    str_output = StringIO.new
     Pry.new(:print => proc {}, :input => InputTester.new("v"),
-            :output => str_output, :commands => child_klass).rep("john")
+            :output => @str_output, :commands => child_klass).rep("john")
 
-    str_output.string.rstrip.should == "john"
+    @str_output.string.rstrip.should == "john"
   end
 
   it 'should import commands from another command object' do
@@ -617,13 +628,12 @@ end
     # suppress evaluation output
     Pry.print = proc {}
 
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("jump-to"), :output => str_output, :commands => klass).rep
-    str_output.string.rstrip.should == "jump-to the music"
+    Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("jump-to"), :output => @str_output, :commands => klass).rep
+    @str_output.string.rstrip.should == "jump-to the music"
 
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("help"), :output => str_output, :commands => klass).rep
-    str_output.string.should == "help to the music\n"
+    @str_output = StringIO.new
+    Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("help"), :output => @str_output, :commands => klass).rep
+    @str_output.string.should == "help to the music\n"
 
 
     Pry.reset_defaults
@@ -636,12 +646,11 @@ end
     pry_tester.input = InputTester.new("command1", "exit-all")
     pry_tester.commands = CommandTester
 
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    pry_tester.output = str_output
+    pry_tester.output = @str_output
 
     pry_tester.rep
 
-    str_output.string.should =~ /command1/
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /command1/
   end
 
   it 'should run a command with one parameter' do
@@ -650,35 +659,10 @@ end
     pry_tester.input = InputTester.new("command2 horsey", "exit-all")
     pry_tester.commands = CommandTester
 
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    pry_tester.output = str_output
+    pry_tester.output = @str_output
 
     pry_tester.rep
 
-    str_output.string.should =~ /horsey/
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /horsey/
   end
 end
-
-describe "Pry#run_command" do
-  it 'should run a command in a specified context' do
-    b = Pry.binding_for(7)
-    p = Pry.new(:output => StringIO.new)
-    p.run_command("ls -m", "", b)
-    p.output.string.should =~ /divmod/
-  end
-
-  it 'should run a command that modifies the passed in eval_string' do
-    b = Pry.binding_for(7)
-    p = Pry.new(:output => StringIO.new)
-    eval_string = "def hello\npeter pan\n"
-    p.run_command("amend-line !", eval_string, b)
-    eval_string.should =~ /def hello/
-    eval_string.should.not =~ /peter pan/
-  end
-
-  it 'should run a command in the context of a session' do
-    mock_pry("@session_ivar = 10", "_pry_.run_command('ls')").should =~ /@session_ivar/
-  end
-end
-
-
diff --git a/test/test_default_commands/test_cd.rb b/test/test_default_commands/test_cd.rb
index 10168ac2..f01fcc5d 100644
--- a/test/test_default_commands/test_cd.rb
+++ b/test/test_default_commands/test_cd.rb
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ describe 'Pry::DefaultCommands::Cd' do
     b = Pry.binding_for(Object.new)
     b.eval("x = :mon_ouie")
 
-    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd x", "$obj = self", "exit-all"), StringIO.new) do
+    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd x", "$obj = self", "exit-all")) do
       b.pry
     end
 
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ describe 'Pry::DefaultCommands::Cd' do
     b = Pry.binding_for(:outer)
     b.eval("x = :inner")
 
-    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd x", "$inner = self;", "cd ..", "$outer = self", "exit-all"), StringIO.new) do
+    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd x", "$inner = self;", "cd ..", "$outer = self", "exit-all")) do
       b.pry
     end
     $inner.should == :inner
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ describe 'Pry::DefaultCommands::Cd' do
     b = Pry.binding_for(Object.new)
     input = InputTester.new "cd ..", "$obj = self", "exit-all"
 
-    redirect_pry_io(input, StringIO.new) do
+    redirect_pry_io(input) do
       b.pry
     end
 
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ describe 'Pry::DefaultCommands::Cd' do
     b = Pry.binding_for(:outer)
     b.eval("x = :inner")
 
-    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd x", "$inner = self;", "cd 5", "$five = self", "cd /", "$outer = self", "exit-all"), StringIO.new) do
+    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd x", "$inner = self;", "cd 5", "$five = self", "cd /", "$outer = self", "exit-all")) do
       b.pry
     end
     $inner.should == :inner
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ describe 'Pry::DefaultCommands::Cd' do
     b = Pry.binding_for(:outer)
     b.eval("x = :inner")
 
-    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd x", "$inner = self;", "cd 5", "$five = self", "cd", "$outer = self", "exit-all"), StringIO.new) do
+    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd x", "$inner = self;", "cd 5", "$five = self", "cd", "$outer = self", "exit-all")) do
       b.pry
     end
     $inner.should == :inner
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ describe 'Pry::DefaultCommands::Cd' do
     $obj = Object.new
     $obj.instance_variable_set(:@x, 66)
 
-    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd $obj/@x", "$result = _pry_.binding_stack.dup", "exit-all"), StringIO.new) do
+    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd $obj/@x", "$result = _pry_.binding_stack.dup", "exit-all")) do
       Pry.start
     end
     $result.size.should == 3
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ describe 'Pry::DefaultCommands::Cd' do
     $obj = Object.new
     $obj.instance_variable_set(:@x, 66)
 
-    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd $obj/@x/", "$result = _pry_.binding_stack.dup", "exit-all"), StringIO.new) do
+    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd $obj/@x/", "$result = _pry_.binding_stack.dup", "exit-all")) do
       Pry.start
     end
     $result.size.should == 3
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ describe 'Pry::DefaultCommands::Cd' do
     $obj = Object.new
     $obj.instance_variable_set(:@x, 66)
 
-    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd $obj", "local = :local", "cd @x", "cd ../local", "$result = _pry_.binding_stack.dup", "exit-all"), StringIO.new) do
+    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd $obj", "local = :local", "cd @x", "cd ../local", "$result = _pry_.binding_stack.dup", "exit-all")) do
       Pry.start
     end
     $result.size.should == 3
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ describe 'Pry::DefaultCommands::Cd' do
     $obj = Object.new
     $obj.instance_variable_set(:@x, 66)
 
-    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd $obj/@x/..", "$result = _pry_.binding_stack.dup", "exit-all"), StringIO.new) do
+    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd $obj/@x/..", "$result = _pry_.binding_stack.dup", "exit-all")) do
       Pry.start
     end
     $result.size.should == 2
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ describe 'Pry::DefaultCommands::Cd' do
     $obj.instance_variable_set(:@x, 66)
     $obj.instance_variable_set(:@y, 79)
 
-    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd $obj/@x/../@y", "$result = _pry_.binding_stack.dup", "exit-all"), StringIO.new) do
+    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd $obj/@x/../@y", "$result = _pry_.binding_stack.dup", "exit-all")) do
       Pry.start
     end
     $result.size.should == 3
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ describe 'Pry::DefaultCommands::Cd' do
     $obj.instance_variable_set(:@x, 66)
     TOPLEVEL_BINDING.eval('@z = 20')
 
-    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd $obj/@x/", "cd /@z", "$result = _pry_.binding_stack.dup", "exit-all"), StringIO.new) do
+    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd $obj/@x/", "cd /@z", "$result = _pry_.binding_stack.dup", "exit-all")) do
       Pry.start
     end
     $result.size.should == 2
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ describe 'Pry::DefaultCommands::Cd' do
   end
 
   it 'should start a session on TOPLEVEL_BINDING with cd ::' do
-    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd ::", "$obj = self", "exit-all"), StringIO.new) do
+    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd ::", "$obj = self", "exit-all")) do
       5.pry
     end
     $obj.should == TOPLEVEL_BINDING.eval('self')
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ describe 'Pry::DefaultCommands::Cd' do
       :mon_ouie
     end
 
-    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd hello 1, 2, 3", "$obj = self", "exit-all"), StringIO.new) do
+    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd hello 1, 2, 3", "$obj = self", "exit-all")) do
       o.pry
     end
     $obj.should == :mon_ouie
diff --git a/test/test_default_commands/test_context.rb b/test/test_default_commands/test_context.rb
index 239c886e..62cfeae3 100644
--- a/test/test_default_commands/test_context.rb
+++ b/test/test_default_commands/test_context.rb
@@ -3,27 +3,27 @@ require 'helper'
 describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Context" do
   describe "exit-all" do
     it 'should break out of the repl loop of Pry instance and return nil' do
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("exit-all"), StringIO.new) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("exit-all")) do
         Pry.new.repl(0).should == nil
       end
     end
 
     it 'should break out of the repl loop of Pry instance wth a user specified value' do
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("exit-all 'message'"), StringIO.new) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("exit-all 'message'")) do
         Pry.new.repl(0).should == 'message'
       end
     end
 
     it 'should break of the repl loop even if multiple bindings still on stack' do
       ins = nil
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd 1", "cd 2", "exit-all 'message'"), StringIO.new) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd 1", "cd 2", "exit-all 'message'")) do
         ins = Pry.new.tap { |v| v.repl(0).should == 'message' }
       end
     end
 
     it 'binding_stack should be empty after breaking out of the repl loop' do
       ins = nil
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd 1", "cd 2", "exit-all"), StringIO.new) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd 1", "cd 2", "exit-all")) do
         ins = Pry.new.tap { |v| v.repl(0) }
       end
 
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Context" do
       b = Pry.binding_for(:outer)
       b.eval("x = :inner")
 
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd x", "$inner = self;", "exit", "$outer = self", "exit-all"), StringIO.new) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd x", "$inner = self;", "exit", "$outer = self", "exit-all")) do
         b.pry
       end
       $inner.should == :inner
@@ -137,16 +137,19 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Context" do
     end
 
     it 'should break out the repl loop of Pry instance even after an exception in user-given value' do
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("exit = 42", "exit"), StringIO.new) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("exit = 42", "exit")) do
         ins = Pry.new.tap { |v| v.repl(0).should == nil }
       end
     end
   end
 
   describe "jump-to" do
+    before do
+      @str_output = StringIO.new
+    end
+
     it 'should jump to the proper binding index in the stack' do
-      outp = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd 1", "cd 2", "jump-to 1", "$blah = self", "exit-all"), outp) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd 1", "cd 2", "jump-to 1", "$blah = self", "exit-all")) do
         Pry.start(0)
       end
 
@@ -154,33 +157,31 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Context" do
     end
 
     it 'should print error when trying to jump to a non-existent binding index' do
-      outp = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd 1", "cd 2", "jump-to 100", "exit-all"), outp) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd 1", "cd 2", "jump-to 100", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         Pry.start(0)
       end
 
-      outp.string.should =~ /Invalid nest level/
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /Invalid nest level/
     end
 
     it 'should print error when trying to jump to the same binding index' do
-      outp = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd 1", "cd 2", "jump-to 2", "exit-all"), outp) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd 1", "cd 2", "jump-to 2", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         Pry.new.repl(0)
       end
 
-      outp.string.should =~ /Already/
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /Already/
     end
   end
 
   describe "exit-program" do
     it 'should raise SystemExit' do
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("exit-program"), StringIO.new) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("exit-program")) do
         lambda { Pry.new.repl(0).should == 0 }.should.raise SystemExit
       end
     end
 
     it 'should exit the program with the provided value' do
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("exit-program 66"), StringIO.new) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("exit-program 66")) do
         begin
           Pry.new.repl(0)
         rescue SystemExit => e
@@ -192,13 +193,13 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Context" do
 
   describe "raise-up" do
     it "should raise the exception with raise-up" do
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("raise NoMethodError", "raise-up NoMethodError"),StringIO.new) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("raise NoMethodError", "raise-up NoMethodError")) do
         lambda { Pry.new.repl(0) }.should.raise NoMethodError
       end
     end
 
     it "should raise an unamed exception with raise-up" do
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("raise 'stop'","raise-up 'noreally'"),StringIO.new) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("raise 'stop'","raise-up 'noreally'")) do
         lambda { Pry.new.repl(0) }.should.raise RuntimeError, "noreally"
       end
     end
@@ -208,7 +209,7 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Context" do
       b.eval("x = :inner")
 
       redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("x.pry", "raise NoMethodError",
-        "$inner = self", "raise-up NoMethodError", "$outer = self", "exit-all"),StringIO.new) do
+        "$inner = self", "raise-up NoMethodError", "$outer = self", "exit-all")) do
         b.pry
       end
       $inner.should == :inner
@@ -224,7 +225,7 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Context" do
       b = Pry.binding_for(:outer)
       b.eval("x = :inner")
       redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("cd x", "raise NoMethodError","$inner = self",
-        "deep = :deep", "cd deep","$deep = self","raise-up NoMethodError", "raise-up", "$outer = self", "raise-up", "exit-all"),StringIO.new) do
+        "deep = :deep", "cd deep","$deep = self","raise-up NoMethodError", "raise-up", "$outer = self", "raise-up", "exit-all")) do
         lambda { b.pry }.should.raise NoMethodError
       end
       $deep.should == :deep
diff --git a/test/test_default_commands/test_documentation.rb b/test/test_default_commands/test_documentation.rb
index a54d76dd..4821b949 100644
--- a/test/test_default_commands/test_documentation.rb
+++ b/test/test_default_commands/test_documentation.rb
@@ -3,28 +3,32 @@ require 'helper'
 if !mri18_and_no_real_source_location?
   describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Documentation" do
     describe "show-doc" do
+      before do
+        @str_output = StringIO.new
+      end
+
       it 'should output a method\'s documentation' do
-        redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("show-doc sample_method", "exit-all"), str_output=StringIO.new) do
+        redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("show-doc sample_method", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
           pry
         end
 
-        str_output.string.should =~ /sample doc/
+        @str_output.string.should =~ /sample doc/
       end
 
       it 'should output a method\'s documentation with line numbers' do
-        redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("show-doc sample_method -l", "exit-all"), str_output=StringIO.new) do
+        redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("show-doc sample_method -l", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
           pry
         end
 
-        str_output.string.should =~ /\d: sample doc/
+        @str_output.string.should =~ /\d: sample doc/
       end
 
       it 'should output a method\'s documentation with line numbers (base one)' do
-        redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("show-doc sample_method -b", "exit-all"), str_output=StringIO.new) do
+        redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("show-doc sample_method -b", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
           pry
         end
 
-        str_output.string.should =~ /1: sample doc/
+        @str_output.string.should =~ /1: sample doc/
       end
 
       it 'should output a method\'s documentation if inside method without needing to use method name' do
@@ -206,11 +210,11 @@ if !mri18_and_no_real_source_location?
             end
           end
 
-          redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("show-doc BetaClass", "exit-all"), out=StringIO.new) do
+          redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("show-doc BetaClass", "exit-all"), outp=StringIO.new) do
             AlphaClass.pry
           end
 
-          out.string.should =~ /nested beta/
+          outp.string.should =~ /nested beta/
         end
       end
 
diff --git a/test/test_default_commands/test_find_method.rb b/test/test_default_commands/test_find_method.rb
index 5ca40bd5..7208b0c4 100644
--- a/test/test_default_commands/test_find_method.rb
+++ b/test/test_default_commands/test_find_method.rb
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ unless Pry::Helpers::BaseHelpers.mri_18?
       it "should find a method by regex" do
         mock_pry("find-method hell MyKlass").should =~ /MyKlass.*?hello/m
       end
-      
+
       it "should NOT match a method that does not match the regex" do
         mock_pry("find-method hell MyKlass").should.not =~ /MyKlass.*?goodbye/m
       end
diff --git a/test/test_default_commands/test_input.rb b/test/test_default_commands/test_input.rb
index 7832ef24..9ec73f40 100644
--- a/test/test_default_commands/test_input.rb
+++ b/test/test_default_commands/test_input.rb
@@ -1,149 +1,148 @@
 require 'helper'
 
 describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Input" do
+  before do
+    @str_output = StringIO.new
+  end
 
   describe "amend-line" do
     it 'should correctly amend the last line of input when no line number specified ' do
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "amend-line puts :blah", "show-input", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "amend-line puts :blah", "show-input", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
-      str_output.string.should =~ /\A\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :blah/
+
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /\A\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :blah/
     end
 
     it 'should correctly amend the specified line of input when line number given ' do
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", "amend-line 1 def goodbye", "show-input", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", "amend-line 1 def goodbye", "show-input", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
-      str_output.string.should =~ /\A\d+: def goodbye\n\d+: puts :bing\n\d+: puts :bang/
+
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /\A\d+: def goodbye\n\d+: puts :bing\n\d+: puts :bang/
     end
 
     it 'should correctly amend the specified line of input when line number given, 0 should behave as 1 ' do
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", "amend-line 0 def goodbye", "show-input", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", "amend-line 0 def goodbye", "show-input", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
-      str_output.string.should =~ /\A\d+: def goodbye\n\d+: puts :bing\n\d+: puts :bang/
+
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /\A\d+: def goodbye\n\d+: puts :bing\n\d+: puts :bang/
     end
 
     it 'should correctly amend the specified line of input when line number given (negative number)' do
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", "amend-line -1 puts :bink", "show-input", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", "amend-line -1 puts :bink", "show-input", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
-      str_output.string.should =~ /\A\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :bing\n\d+: puts :bink/
 
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", "amend-line -2 puts :bink", "show-input", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /\A\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :bing\n\d+: puts :bink/
+
+      @str_output = StringIO.new
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", "amend-line -2 puts :bink", "show-input", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
-      str_output.string.should =~ /\A\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :bink\n\d+: puts :bang/
+
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /\A\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :bink\n\d+: puts :bang/
     end
 
     it 'should correctly amend the specified range of lines of input when range of negative numbers given (negative number)' do
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", "puts :boat", "amend-line -3..-2 puts :bink", "show-input", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", "puts :boat", "amend-line -3..-2 puts :bink", "show-input", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
-      str_output.string.should =~ /\A\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :bink\n\d+: puts :boat/
+
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /\A\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :bink\n\d+: puts :boat/
     end
 
     it 'should correctly amend the specified line with string interpolated text' do
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", 'amend-line puts "#{goodbye}"', "show-input", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", 'amend-line puts "#{goodbye}"', "show-input", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
 
-      str_output.string.should =~ /\A\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :bing\n\d+: puts \"\#\{goodbye\}\"/
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /\A\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :bing\n\d+: puts \"\#\{goodbye\}\"/
     end
 
     it 'should display error if nothing to amend' do
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("amend-line", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("amend-line", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
-      str_output.string.should =~ /No input to amend/
+
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /No input to amend/
     end
 
 
     it 'should correctly amend the specified range of lines' do
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", "puts :heart", "amend-line 2..3 puts :bong", "show-input", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", "puts :heart", "amend-line 2..3 puts :bong", "show-input", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
-      str_output.string.should =~ /\A\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :bong\n\d+: puts :heart/
+
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /\A\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :bong\n\d+: puts :heart/
     end
 
     it 'should correctly delete a specific line using the ! for content' do
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", "puts :boast", "puts :heart", "amend-line 3 !", "show-input", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", "puts :boast", "puts :heart", "amend-line 3 !", "show-input", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
 
-      str_output.string.should =~ /\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :bing\n\d+: puts :boast\n\d+: puts :heart/
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :bing\n\d+: puts :boast\n\d+: puts :heart/
     end
 
     it 'should correctly delete a range of lines using the ! for content' do
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", "puts :boast", "puts :heart", "amend-line 2..4 !", "show-input", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", "puts :boast", "puts :heart", "amend-line 2..4 !", "show-input", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
 
-      str_output.string.should =~ /\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :heart\n\Z/
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :heart\n\Z/
     end
 
     it 'should correctly delete the previous line using the ! for content' do
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", "puts :boast", "puts :heart", "amend-line !", "show-input", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", "puts :boast", "puts :heart", "amend-line !", "show-input", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
 
-      str_output.string.should =~ /\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :bing\n\d+: puts :bang\n\d+: puts :boast\n\Z/
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :bing\n\d+: puts :bang\n\d+: puts :boast\n\Z/
     end
 
     it 'should correctly amend the specified range of lines, using negative numbers in range' do
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", "puts :boast", "puts :heart", "amend-line 2..-2 puts :bong", "show-input", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", "puts :boast", "puts :heart", "amend-line 2..-2 puts :bong", "show-input", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
-      str_output.string.should =~ /\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :bong\n\d+: puts :heart/
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :bong\n\d+: puts :heart/
     end
 
     it 'should correctly insert a new line of input before a specified line using the > syntax' do
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", "amend-line 2 >puts :inserted", "show-input", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", "amend-line 2 >puts :inserted", "show-input", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
-      str_output.string.should =~ /\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :inserted\n\d+: puts :bing\n\d+: puts :bang/
+
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :inserted\n\d+: puts :bing\n\d+: puts :bang/
     end
 
     it 'should correctly insert a new line of input before a specified line using the > syntax (should ignore second value of range)' do
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", "amend-line 2..21 >puts :inserted", "show-input", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "puts :bang", "amend-line 2..21 >puts :inserted", "show-input", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
-      str_output.string.should =~ /\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :inserted\n\d+: puts :bing\n\d+: puts :bang/
+
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :inserted\n\d+: puts :bing\n\d+: puts :bang/
     end
   end
 
   describe "show-input" do
     it 'should correctly show the current lines in the input buffer' do
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "show-input", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "show-input", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
-      str_output.string.should =~ /\A\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :bing/
+
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /\A\d+: def hello\n\d+: puts :bing/
     end
   end
 
   describe "!" do
     it 'should correctly clear the input buffer ' do
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "!", "show-input", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def hello", "puts :bing", "!", "show-input", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
-      stripped_output = str_output.string.strip!
+
+      stripped_output = @str_output.string.strip!
       stripped_output.each_line.count.should == 1
       stripped_output.should =~ /Input buffer cleared!/
     end
@@ -153,21 +152,23 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Input" do
     it 'should play a string variable  (with no args)' do
       b = binding
       b.eval('x = "\"hello\""')
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("play x", "exit-all"), str_output = StringIO.new) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("play x", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         Pry.start b, :hooks => Pry::Hooks.new
       end
-      str_output.string.should =~ /hello/
+
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /hello/
     end
 
     it 'should play a string variable  (with no args) using --lines to select what to play' do
       b = binding
       b.eval('x = "\"hello\"\n\"goodbye\"\n\"love\""')
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("play x --lines 1", "exit-all"), str_output = StringIO.new) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("play x --lines 1", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         Pry.start b, :hooks => Pry::Hooks.new
       end
-      str_output.string.should =~ /hello/
-      str_output.string.should.not =~ /love/
-      str_output.string.should.not =~ /goodbye/
+
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /hello/
+      @str_output.string.should.not =~ /love/
+      @str_output.string.should.not =~ /goodbye/
     end
 
     it 'should play documentation with the -d switch' do
@@ -179,7 +180,7 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Input" do
         :test_method_content
       end
 
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new('play -d test_method', "exit-all"), str_output = StringIO.new) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new('play -d test_method', "exit-all")) do
         o.pry
       end
 
@@ -198,7 +199,7 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Input" do
         :test_method_content
       end
 
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new('play -d test_method --lines 2..3', "exit-all"), str_output = StringIO.new) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new('play -d test_method --lines 2..3', "exit-all")) do
         o.pry
       end
 
@@ -215,11 +216,11 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Input" do
         :test_method_content
       end
 
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new('play -m test_method --lines 2', "exit-all"), str_output = StringIO.new) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new('play -m test_method --lines 2', "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         o.pry
       end
 
-      str_output.string.should =~ /:test_method_content/
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /:test_method_content/
     end
 
     it 'should APPEND to the input buffer when playing a line with play -m, not replace it' do
@@ -228,11 +229,12 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Input" do
         :test_method_content
       end
 
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new('def another_test_method', 'play -m test_method --lines 2', 'show-input', 'exit-all'), str_output = StringIO.new) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new('def another_test_method', 'play -m test_method --lines 2', 'show-input', 'exit-all'), @str_output) do
         o.pry
       end
-      str_output.string.should =~ /def another_test_method/
-      str_output.string.should =~ /:test_method_content/
+
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /def another_test_method/
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /:test_method_content/
     end
 
 
@@ -246,7 +248,7 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Input" do
         @var3 = 40
       end
 
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new('play -m test_method --lines 3..4', "exit-all"), str_output = StringIO.new) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new('play -m test_method --lines 3..4', "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         o.pry
       end
 
@@ -254,8 +256,8 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Input" do
       o.instance_variable_get(:@var1).should == 20
       o.instance_variable_get(:@var2).should == 30
       o.instance_variable_get(:@var3).should == nil
-      str_output.string.should =~ /30/
-      str_output.string.should.not =~ /20/
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /30/
+      @str_output.string.should.not =~ /20/
     end
   end
 
@@ -268,11 +270,11 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Input" do
     it 'should display the correct history' do
       @hist.push "hello"
       @hist.push "world"
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hist", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hist", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
-      str_output.string.should =~ /hello\n.*world/
+
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /hello\n.*world/
     end
 
     it 'should replay history correctly (single item)' do
@@ -280,8 +282,7 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Input" do
       @hist.push "@x = 10"
       @hist.push "@y = 20"
       @hist.push "@z = 30"
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hist --replay -1", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hist --replay -1", "exit-all")) do
         o.pry
       end
       o.instance_variable_get(:@x).should == nil
@@ -293,8 +294,7 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Input" do
       o = Object.new
       @hist.push "@x = 10"
       @hist.push "@y = 20"
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hist --replay 0..2", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hist --replay 0..2", "exit-all")) do
         o.pry
       end
       o.instance_variable_get(:@x).should == 10
@@ -312,25 +312,24 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Input" do
       @hist.push "def boink 2"
       @hist.push "place holder"
 
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hist --grep o", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hist --grep o", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
-      str_output.string.should =~ /\d:.*?box\n\d:.*?button\n\d:.*?orange/
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /\d:.*?box\n\d:.*?button\n\d:.*?orange/
 
       # test more than one word in a regex match (def blah)
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hist --grep def blah", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      @str_output = StringIO.new
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hist --grep def blah", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
-      str_output.string.should =~ /def blah 1/
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /def blah 1/
 
+      @str_output = StringIO.new
       # test more than one word with leading white space in a regex match (def boink)
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hist --grep      def boink", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hist --grep      def boink", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
-      str_output.string.should =~ /def boink 2/
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /def boink 2/
     end
 
     it 'should return last N lines in history with --tail switch' do
@@ -338,13 +337,12 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Input" do
         @hist.push v
       end
 
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hist --tail 3", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hist --tail 3", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
 
-      str_output.string.each_line.count.should == 3
-      str_output.string.should =~ /x\n\d+:.*y\n\d+:.*z/
+      @str_output.string.each_line.count.should == 3
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /x\n\d+:.*y\n\d+:.*z/
     end
 
     it 'should apply --tail after --grep' do
@@ -355,12 +353,12 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Input" do
       @hist.push "puts  5"
 
       str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hist --tail 2 --grep print", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hist --tail 2 --grep print", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
 
-      str_output.string.each_line.count.should == 2
-      str_output.string.should =~ /\d:.*?print 2\n\d:.*?print 4/
+      @str_output.string.each_line.count.should == 2
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /\d:.*?print 2\n\d:.*?print 4/
     end
 
     it 'should apply --head after --grep' do
@@ -370,13 +368,12 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Input" do
       @hist.push "print 4"
       @hist.push "print 5"
 
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hist --head 2 --grep print", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hist --head 2 --grep print", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
 
-      str_output.string.each_line.count.should == 2
-      str_output.string.should =~ /\d:.*?print 2\n\d:.*?print 4/
+      @str_output.string.each_line.count.should == 2
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /\d:.*?print 2\n\d:.*?print 4/
     end
 
     # strangeness in this test is due to bug in Readline::HISTORY not
@@ -386,13 +383,12 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Input" do
         @hist.push v
       end
 
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hist --head 4", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hist --head 4", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
 
-      str_output.string.each_line.count.should == 4
-      str_output.string.should =~ /a\n\d+:.*b\n\d+:.*c/
+      @str_output.string.each_line.count.should == 4
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /a\n\d+:.*b\n\d+:.*c/
     end
 
     # strangeness in this test is due to bug in Readline::HISTORY not
@@ -402,36 +398,31 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Input" do
         @hist.push v
       end
 
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hist --show 1..4", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("hist --show 1..4", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
 
-      str_output.string.each_line.count.should == 4
-      str_output.string.should =~ /b\n\d+:.*c\n\d+:.*d/
+      @str_output.string.each_line.count.should == 4
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /b\n\d+:.*c\n\d+:.*d/
     end
 
     it "should not contain duplicated lines" do
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("3", "_ += 1", "_ += 1", "hist", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("3", "_ += 1", "_ += 1", "hist", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
 
-      str_output.string.each_line.grep(/_ \+= 1/).count.should == 1
+      @str_output.string.each_line.grep(/_ \+= 1/).count.should == 1
     end
 
     it "should not contain duplicated lines" do
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new(":place_holder", "2 + 2", "", "", "3 + 3", "hist", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new(":place_holder", "2 + 2", "", "", "3 + 3", "hist", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
 
-      a = str_output.string.each_line.to_a.index{|line| line.include?("2 + 2") }
-      b = str_output.string.each_line.to_a.index{|line| line.include?("3 + 3") }
+      a = @str_output.string.each_line.to_a.index{|line| line.include?("2 + 2") }
+      b = @str_output.string.each_line.to_a.index{|line| line.include?("3 + 3") }
 
       (a + 1).should == b
     end
   end
-
-
 end
diff --git a/test/test_default_commands/test_introspection.rb b/test/test_default_commands/test_introspection.rb
index 328c9bd9..c5ddd593 100644
--- a/test/test_default_commands/test_introspection.rb
+++ b/test/test_default_commands/test_introspection.rb
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 require 'helper'
 
 describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Introspection" do
-
   describe "edit" do
     before do
       @old_editor = Pry.config.editor
@@ -11,6 +10,7 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Introspection" do
         nil
       end
     end
+
     after do
       Pry.config.editor = @old_editor
     end
@@ -458,6 +458,10 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Introspection" do
   # show-command only works in implementations that support Proc#source_location
   if Proc.method_defined?(:source_location)
     describe "show-command" do
+      before do
+        @str_output = StringIO.new
+      end
+
       it 'should show source for an ordinary command' do
         set = Pry::CommandSet.new do
           import_from Pry::Commands, "show-command"
@@ -465,11 +469,12 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Introspection" do
             :body_of_foo
           end
         end
-        str_output = StringIO.new
-        redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("show-command foo"), str_output) do
+
+        redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("show-command foo"), @str_output) do
           Pry.new(:commands => set).rep
         end
-        str_output.string.should =~ /:body_of_foo/
+
+        @str_output.string.should =~ /:body_of_foo/
       end
 
       it 'should show source for a command with spaces in its name' do
@@ -479,11 +484,12 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Introspection" do
             :body_of_foo_bar
           end
         end
-        str_output = StringIO.new
-        redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("show-command \"foo bar\""), str_output) do
+
+        redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("show-command \"foo bar\""), @str_output) do
           Pry.new(:commands => set).rep
         end
-        str_output.string.should =~ /:body_of_foo_bar/
+
+        @str_output.string.should =~ /:body_of_foo_bar/
       end
 
       it 'should show source for a command by listing name' do
@@ -493,14 +499,13 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Introspection" do
             :body_of_foo_regex
           end
         end
-        str_output = StringIO.new
-        redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("show-command bar"), str_output) do
+
+        redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("show-command bar"), @str_output) do
           Pry.new(:commands => set).rep
         end
-        str_output.string.should =~ /:body_of_foo_regex/
+
+        @str_output.string.should =~ /:body_of_foo_regex/
       end
     end
   end
-
-
 end
diff --git a/test/test_default_commands/test_ls.rb b/test/test_default_commands/test_ls.rb
index b0ab46cc..cbd75a38 100644
--- a/test/test_default_commands/test_ls.rb
+++ b/test/test_default_commands/test_ls.rb
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 require 'helper'
+
 describe "ls" do
   describe "below ceiling" do
     it "should stop before Object by default" do
@@ -92,6 +93,7 @@ describe "ls" do
       mock_pry("ls -c").should =~ /ArgumentError/
       mock_pry("ls -c --grep Run").should.not =~ /ArgumentError/
     end
+
     it "should still output matching things" do
       mock_pry("ls -c --grep Run").should =~ /RuntimeError/
     end
diff --git a/test/test_default_commands/test_shell.rb b/test/test_default_commands/test_shell.rb
index 0b07ab97..4f3801f5 100644
--- a/test/test_default_commands/test_shell.rb
+++ b/test/test_default_commands/test_shell.rb
@@ -192,6 +192,9 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Shell" do
   end
 
   describe "cat" do
+    before do
+      @str_output = StringIO.new
+    end
 
     describe "on receiving a file that does not exist" do
       it 'should display an error message' do
@@ -250,7 +253,7 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Shell" do
 
     describe "with --ex N" do
       it 'should cat first level of backtrace when --ex used with no argument ' do
-        pry_instance = Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("cat --ex"), :output => str_output = StringIO.new)
+        pry_instance = Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("cat --ex"), :output => @str_output)
 
         temp_file do |f|
           f << "bt number 1"
@@ -259,11 +262,11 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Shell" do
           pry_instance.rep(self)
         end
 
-        str_output.string.should =~ /bt number 1/
+        @str_output.string.should =~ /bt number 1/
       end
 
       it 'should cat first level of backtrace when --ex 0 used ' do
-        pry_instance = Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("cat --ex 0"), :output => str_output = StringIO.new)
+        pry_instance = Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("cat --ex 0"), :output => @str_output)
 
         temp_file do |f|
           f << "bt number 1"
@@ -272,11 +275,11 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Shell" do
           pry_instance.rep(self)
         end
 
-        str_output.string.should =~ /bt number 1/
+        @str_output.string.should =~ /bt number 1/
       end
 
       it 'should cat second level of backtrace when --ex 1 used ' do
-        pry_instance = Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("cat --ex 1"), :output => str_output = StringIO.new)
+        pry_instance = Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("cat --ex 1"), :output => @str_output)
 
         temp_file do |f|
           f << "bt number 2"
@@ -285,11 +288,11 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Shell" do
           pry_instance.rep(self)
         end
 
-        str_output.string.should =~ /bt number 2/
+        @str_output.string.should =~ /bt number 2/
       end
 
       it 'should cat third level of backtrace when --ex 2 used' do
-        pry_instance = Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("cat --ex 2"), :output => str_output = StringIO.new)
+        pry_instance = Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("cat --ex 2"), :output => @str_output)
 
         temp_file do |f|
           f << "bt number 3"
@@ -298,14 +301,14 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Shell" do
           pry_instance.rep(self)
         end
 
-        str_output.string.should =~ /bt number 3/
+        @str_output.string.should =~ /bt number 3/
       end
 
       it 'should show error when backtrace level out of bounds' do
-        pry_instance = Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("cat --ex 3"), :output => str_output = StringIO.new)
+        pry_instance = Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("cat --ex 3"), :output => @str_output)
         pry_instance.last_exception = mock_exception("x", "x", "x")
         pry_instance.rep(self)
-        str_output.string.should =~ /out of bounds/
+        @str_output.string.should =~ /out of bounds/
       end
 
       it 'each successive cat --ex should show the next level of backtrace, and going past the final level should return to the first' do
@@ -317,18 +320,18 @@ describe "Pry::DefaultCommands::Shell" do
         end
 
         pry_instance = Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new("cat --ex\n" * 4),
-                               :output => (str_output = StringIO.new))
+                               :output => @str_output)
 
         pry_instance.last_exception = mock_exception(*temp_files.map { |f| "#{f.path}:1" })
 
         3.times do |i|
           pry_instance.rep(self)
-          str_output.string.should =~ /bt number #{i}/
+          @str_output.string.should =~ /bt number #{i}/
         end
 
-        str_output.reopen
+        @str_output.reopen
         pry_instance.rep(self)
-        str_output.string.should =~ /bt number 0/
+        @str_output.string.should =~ /bt number 0/
 
         temp_files.each do |file|
           file.close(true)
diff --git a/test/test_default_commands/test_show_source.rb b/test/test_default_commands/test_show_source.rb
index 50eda74f..a3c93522 100644
--- a/test/test_default_commands/test_show_source.rb
+++ b/test/test_default_commands/test_show_source.rb
@@ -2,13 +2,16 @@ require 'helper'
 
 if !mri18_and_no_real_source_location?
   describe "show-source" do
+    before do
+      @str_output = StringIO.new
+    end
+
     it 'should output a method\'s source' do
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("show-source sample_method", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("show-source sample_method", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
 
-      str_output.string.should =~ /def sample/
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /def sample/
     end
 
     it 'should output help' do
@@ -16,21 +19,19 @@ if !mri18_and_no_real_source_location?
     end
 
     it 'should output a method\'s source with line numbers' do
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("show-source -l sample_method", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("show-source -l sample_method", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
 
-      str_output.string.should =~ /\d+: def sample/
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /\d+: def sample/
     end
 
     it 'should output a method\'s source with line numbers starting at 1' do
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("show-source -b sample_method", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("show-source -b sample_method", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         pry
       end
 
-      str_output.string.should =~ /1: def sample/
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /1: def sample/
     end
 
     it 'should output a method\'s source if inside method without needing to use method name' do
@@ -70,11 +71,11 @@ if !mri18_and_no_real_source_location?
         self;
       end
 
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("show-source o.foo('bar', 'baz bam').foo", "exit-all"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("show-source o.foo('bar', 'baz bam').foo", "exit-all"), @str_output) do
         binding.pry
       end
-      str_output.string.should =~ /Mr flibble/
+
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /Mr flibble/
     end
 
     it "should find methods even if the object has an overridden method method" do
@@ -155,44 +156,40 @@ if !mri18_and_no_real_source_location?
     # 1.9 - where Method#source_location is native
     if RUBY_VERSION =~ /1.9/
       it 'should output a method\'s source for a method defined inside pry' do
-        str_output = StringIO.new
-        redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def dyna_method", ":testing", "end", "show-source dyna_method"), str_output) do
+        redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("def dyna_method", ":testing", "end", "show-source dyna_method"), @str_output) do
           TOPLEVEL_BINDING.pry
         end
 
-        str_output.string.should =~ /def dyna_method/
+        @str_output.string.should =~ /def dyna_method/
         Object.remove_method :dyna_method
       end
 
       it 'should output a method\'s source for a method defined inside pry, even if exceptions raised before hand' do
-        str_output = StringIO.new
-        redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("bad code", "123", "bad code 2", "1 + 2", "def dyna_method", ":testing", "end", "show-source dyna_method"), str_output) do
+        redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("bad code", "123", "bad code 2", "1 + 2", "def dyna_method", ":testing", "end", "show-source dyna_method"), @str_output) do
           TOPLEVEL_BINDING.pry
         end
 
-        str_output.string.should =~ /def dyna_method/
+        @str_output.string.should =~ /def dyna_method/
         Object.remove_method :dyna_method
       end
 
       it 'should output an instance method\'s source for a method defined inside pry' do
-        str_output = StringIO.new
         Object.remove_const :A if defined?(A)
-        redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("class A", "def yo", "end", "end", "show-source A#yo"), str_output) do
+        redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("class A", "def yo", "end", "end", "show-source A#yo"), @str_output) do
           TOPLEVEL_BINDING.pry
         end
 
-        str_output.string.should =~ /def yo/
+        @str_output.string.should =~ /def yo/
         Object.remove_const :A
       end
 
       it 'should output an instance method\'s source for a method defined inside pry using define_method' do
-        str_output = StringIO.new
         Object.remove_const :A if defined?(A)
-        redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("class A", "define_method(:yup) {}", "end", "show-source A#yup"), str_output) do
+        redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new("class A", "define_method(:yup) {}", "end", "show-source A#yup"), @str_output) do
           TOPLEVEL_BINDING.pry
         end
 
-        str_output.string.should =~ /define_method\(:yup\)/
+        @str_output.string.should =~ /define_method\(:yup\)/
         Object.remove_const :A
       end
     end
diff --git a/test/test_exception_whitelist.rb b/test/test_exception_whitelist.rb
index c3c0da62..f3d8329c 100644
--- a/test/test_exception_whitelist.rb
+++ b/test/test_exception_whitelist.rb
@@ -1,15 +1,19 @@
 require 'helper'
 
 describe "Pry.config.exception_whitelist" do
+  before do
+    @str_output = StringIO.new
+  end
+
   it 'should rescue all exceptions NOT specified on whitelist' do
     Pry.config.exception_whitelist.include?(NameError).should == false
-    lambda { Pry.start(self, :input => StringIO.new("raise NameError\nexit"), :output => StringIO.new) }.should.not.raise NameError
+    lambda { Pry.start(self, :input => StringIO.new("raise NameError\nexit"), :output => @str_output) }.should.not.raise NameError
   end
 
   it 'should NOT rescue exceptions specified on whitelist' do
     old_whitelist = Pry.config.exception_whitelist
     Pry.config.exception_whitelist = [NameError]
-    lambda { Pry.start(self, :input => StringIO.new("raise NameError"), :output => StringIO.new) }.should.raise NameError
+    lambda { Pry.start(self, :input => StringIO.new("raise NameError"), :output => @str_output) }.should.raise NameError
     Pry.config.exception_whitelist = old_whitelist
   end
 end
diff --git a/test/test_input_stack.rb b/test/test_input_stack.rb
index 33997d04..03010096 100644
--- a/test/test_input_stack.rb
+++ b/test/test_input_stack.rb
@@ -2,6 +2,10 @@
 require 'helper'
 
 describe "Pry#input_stack" do
+  before do
+    @str_output = StringIO.new
+  end
+
   it 'should accept :input_stack as a config option' do
     stack = [StringIO.new("test")]
     Pry.new(:input_stack => stack).input_stack.should == stack
@@ -16,30 +20,30 @@ describe "Pry#input_stack" do
   it 'should read from all input objects on stack and exit session (usingn repl)' do
     stack = [b = StringIO.new(":cloister\nexit\n"), c = StringIO.new(":baron\n")]
     instance = Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new(":alex\n"),
-                       :output => str_output = StringIO.new,
+                       :output => @str_output,
                        :input_stack => stack)
 
     instance.repl
-    str_output.string.should =~ /:alex/
-    str_output.string.should =~ /:baron/
-    str_output.string.should =~ /:cloister/
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /:alex/
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /:baron/
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /:cloister/
   end
 
   it 'input objects should be popped off stack as they are used up' do
     stack = [StringIO.new(":cloister\n"), StringIO.new(":baron\n")]
     instance = Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new(":alex\n"),
-                       :output => str_output = StringIO.new,
+                       :output => @str_output,
                        :input_stack => stack)
 
     stack.size.should == 2
 
     instance.rep
-    str_output.string.should =~ /:alex/
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /:alex/
     instance.rep
-    str_output.string.should =~ /:baron/
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /:baron/
     stack.size.should == 1
     instance.rep
-    str_output.string.should =~ /:cloister/
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /:cloister/
     stack.size.should == 0
   end
 
@@ -47,25 +51,24 @@ describe "Pry#input_stack" do
     redirect_pry_io(StringIO.new(":rimbaud\nexit\n"), StringIO.new) do
       stack = [StringIO.new(":cloister\n"), StringIO.new(":baron\n")]
       instance = Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new(":alex\n"),
-                         :output => str_output = StringIO.new,
+                         :output => @str_output,
                          :input_stack => stack)
 
       instance.repl
-      str_output.string.should =~ /:alex/
-      str_output.string.should =~ /:baron/
-      str_output.string.should =~ /:cloister/
-      str_output.string.should =~ /:rimbaud/
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /:alex/
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /:baron/
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /:cloister/
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /:rimbaud/
     end
   end
 
   it 'should display error and throw(:breakout) if at end of input after using up input_stack objects' do
-    str_output = StringIO.new
     catch(:breakout) do
-      redirect_pry_io(StringIO.new(":rimbaud\n"), str_output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(StringIO.new(":rimbaud\n"), @str_output) do
         Pry.new(:input_stack => [StringIO.new(":a\n"), StringIO.new(":b\n")]).repl
       end
     end
-    str_output.string.should =~ /Error: Pry ran out of things to read/
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /Error: Pry ran out of things to read/
   end
 
   if "".respond_to?(:encoding)
diff --git a/test/test_pry.rb b/test/test_pry.rb
index d7b68de9..1550ca4e 100644
--- a/test/test_pry.rb
+++ b/test/test_pry.rb
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 require 'helper'
 
 describe Pry do
+  before do
+    @str_output = StringIO.new
+  end
 
   if RUBY_VERSION =~ /1.9/
     describe "Exotic object support" do
@@ -44,10 +47,9 @@ describe Pry do
       # bug fix for https://github.com/banister/pry/issues/93
       it 'should not leak pry constants into Object namespace' do
         input_string = "Command"
-        str_output = StringIO.new
         o = Object.new
         pry_tester = Pry.new(:input => StringIO.new(input_string),
-                             :output => str_output,
+                             :output => @str_output,
                              :exception_handler => proc { |_, exception, _pry_| @excep = exception },
                              :print => proc {}
                              ).rep(o)
@@ -77,31 +79,28 @@ describe Pry do
       end
 
       it 'should display error and throw(:breakout) if Pry instance runs out of input' do
-        str_output = StringIO.new
         catch(:breakout) do
-          redirect_pry_io(StringIO.new(":nothing\n"), str_output) do
+          redirect_pry_io(StringIO.new(":nothing\n"), @str_output) do
             Pry.new.repl
           end
         end
-        str_output.string.should =~ /Error: Pry ran out of things to read/
+        @str_output.string.should =~ /Error: Pry ran out of things to read/
       end
 
       it 'should make self evaluate to the receiver of the rep session' do
         o = :john
-        str_output = StringIO.new
 
-        pry_tester = Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("self"), :output => str_output)
+        pry_tester = Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("self"), :output => @str_output)
         pry_tester.rep(o)
-        str_output.string.should =~ /:john/
+        @str_output.string.should =~ /:john/
       end
 
       it 'should work with multi-line input' do
         o = Object.new
-        str_output = StringIO.new
 
-        pry_tester = Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("x = ", "1 + 4"), :output => str_output)
+        pry_tester = Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("x = ", "1 + 4"), :output => @str_output)
         pry_tester.rep(o)
-        str_output.string.should =~ /5/
+        @str_output.string.should =~ /5/
       end
 
       it 'should define a nested class under Hello and not on top-level or Pry' do
@@ -112,38 +111,34 @@ describe Pry do
 
       it 'should suppress output if input ends in a ";" and is an Exception object (single line)' do
         o = Object.new
-        str_output = StringIO.new
 
-        pry_tester = Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("Exception.new;"), :output => str_output)
+        pry_tester = Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("Exception.new;"), :output => @str_output)
         pry_tester.rep(o)
-        str_output.string.should == ""
+        @str_output.string.should == ""
       end
 
       it 'should suppress output if input ends in a ";" (single line)' do
         o = Object.new
-        str_output = StringIO.new
 
-        pry_tester = Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("x = 5;"), :output => str_output)
+        pry_tester = Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("x = 5;"), :output => @str_output)
         pry_tester.rep(o)
-        str_output.string.should == ""
+        @str_output.string.should == ""
       end
 
       it 'should suppress output if input ends in a ";" (multi-line)' do
         o = Object.new
-        str_output = StringIO.new
 
-        pry_tester = Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("def self.blah", ":test", "end;"), :output => str_output)
+        pry_tester = Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("def self.blah", ":test", "end;"), :output => @str_output)
         pry_tester.rep(o)
-        str_output.string.should == ""
+        @str_output.string.should == ""
       end
 
       it 'should be able to evaluate exceptions normally' do
         o = Exception.new
-        str_output = StringIO.new
 
         was_called = false
         pry_tester = Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("self"),
-                             :output => str_output,
+                             :output => @str_output,
                              :exception_handler => proc { was_called = true })
 
         pry_tester.rep(o)
@@ -152,11 +147,10 @@ describe Pry do
 
       it 'should notice when exceptions are raised' do
         o = Exception.new
-        str_output = StringIO.new
 
         was_called = false
         pry_tester = Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("raise self"),
-                             :output => str_output,
+                             :output => @str_output,
                              :exception_handler => proc { was_called = true })
 
         pry_tester.rep(o)
@@ -370,13 +364,12 @@ describe Pry do
         it 'should nest properly' do
           Pry.input = InputTester.new("cd 1", "cd 2", "cd 3", "\"nest:\#\{(_pry_.binding_stack.size - 1)\}\"", "exit-all")
 
-          str_output = StringIO.new
-          Pry.output = str_output
+          Pry.output = @str_output
 
           o = Object.new
 
           pry_tester = o.pry
-          str_output.string.should =~ /nest:3/
+          @str_output.string.should =~ /nest:3/
         end
       end
 
diff --git a/test/test_pry_defaults.rb b/test/test_pry_defaults.rb
index 23e6f003..6ae59eb2 100644
--- a/test/test_pry_defaults.rb
+++ b/test/test_pry_defaults.rb
@@ -1,6 +1,11 @@
 require 'helper'
+
 version = 1
+
 describe "test Pry defaults" do
+  before do
+    @str_output = StringIO.new
+  end
 
   after do
     Pry.reset_defaults
@@ -8,7 +13,6 @@ describe "test Pry defaults" do
   end
 
   describe "input" do
-
     after do
       Pry.reset_defaults
       Pry.color = false
@@ -17,13 +21,12 @@ describe "test Pry defaults" do
     it 'should set the input default, and the default should be overridable' do
       Pry.input = InputTester.new("5")
 
-      str_output = StringIO.new
-      Pry.output = str_output
+      Pry.output = @str_output
       Pry.new.rep
-      str_output.string.should =~ /5/
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /5/
 
       Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("6")).rep
-      str_output.string.should =~ /6/
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /6/
     end
 
     it 'should pass in the prompt if readline arity is 1' do
@@ -74,19 +77,18 @@ describe "test Pry defaults" do
   it 'should set the output default, and the default should be overridable' do
     Pry.input = InputTester.new("5", "6", "7")
 
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    Pry.output = str_output
+    Pry.output = @str_output
 
     Pry.new.rep
-    str_output.string.should =~ /5/
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /5/
 
     Pry.new.rep
-    str_output.string.should =~ /5\n.*6/
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /5\n.*6/
 
-    str_output2 = StringIO.new
-    Pry.new(:output => str_output2).rep
-    str_output2.string.should.not =~ /5\n.*6/
-    str_output2.string.should =~ /7/
+    @str_output = StringIO.new
+    Pry.new(:output => @str_output).rep
+    @str_output.string.should.not =~ /5\n.*6/
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /7/
   end
 
   it "should set the print default, and the default should be overridable" do
@@ -94,19 +96,18 @@ describe "test Pry defaults" do
     Pry.print =  new_print
 
     Pry.new.print.should == Pry.print
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("\"test\""), :output => str_output).rep
-    str_output.string.should == "test\n"
+    Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("\"test\""), :output => @str_output).rep
+    @str_output.string.should == "test\n"
 
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("\"test\""), :output => str_output,
+    @str_output = StringIO.new
+    Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("\"test\""), :output => @str_output,
             :print => proc { |out, value| out.puts value.reverse }).rep
-    str_output.string.should == "tset\n"
+    @str_output.string.should == "tset\n"
 
     Pry.new.print.should == Pry.print
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("\"test\""), :output => str_output).rep
-    str_output.string.should == "test\n"
+    @str_output = StringIO.new
+    Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("\"test\""), :output => @str_output).rep
+    @str_output.string.should == "test\n"
   end
 
   describe "pry return values" do
@@ -333,70 +334,22 @@ describe "test Pry defaults" do
 
   end
 
-  it 'should set the hooks default, and the default should be overridable' do
-    Pry.input = InputTester.new("exit-all")
-    Pry.hooks = Pry::Hooks.new.
-      add_hook(:before_session, :my_name) { |out,_,_|  out.puts "HELLO" }.
-      add_hook(:after_session, :my_name) { |out,_,_| out.puts "BYE" }
-
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    Pry.new(:output => str_output).repl
-    str_output.string.should =~ /HELLO/
-    str_output.string.should =~ /BYE/
-
-    Pry.input.rewind
-
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    Pry.new(:output => str_output,
-            :hooks => Pry::Hooks.new.
-            add_hook( :before_session, :my_name) { |out,_,_| out.puts "MORNING" }.
-            add_hook(:after_session, :my_name) { |out,_,_| out.puts "EVENING" }
-            ).repl
-
-    str_output.string.should =~ /MORNING/
-    str_output.string.should =~ /EVENING/
-
-    # try below with just defining one hook
-    Pry.input.rewind
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    Pry.new(:output => str_output,
-            :hooks => Pry::Hooks.new.
-            add_hook(:before_session, :my_name) { |out,_,_| out.puts "OPEN" }
-            ).repl
-
-    str_output.string.should =~ /OPEN/
-
-    Pry.input.rewind
-    str_output = StringIO.new
-    Pry.new(:output => str_output,
-            :hooks => Pry::Hooks.new.
-            add_hook(:after_session, :my_name) { |out,_,_| out.puts "CLOSE" }
-            ).repl
-
-    str_output.string.should =~ /CLOSE/
-
-    Pry.reset_defaults
-    Pry.color = false
-  end
-
   describe 'quiet' do
     it 'should show whereami by default' do
-      output = StringIO.new
       Pry.start(binding, :input => InputTester.new("1", "exit-all"),
-              :output => output,
+              :output => @str_output,
               :hooks => Pry::DEFAULT_HOOKS)
 
-      output.string.should =~ /[w]hereami by default/
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /[w]hereami by default/
     end
 
     it 'should hide whereami if quiet is set' do
-      output = StringIO.new
       Pry.new(:input => InputTester.new("exit-all"),
-              :output => output,
+              :output => @str_output,
               :quiet => true,
               :hooks => Pry::DEFAULT_HOOKS)
 
-      output.string.should == ""
+      @str_output.string.should == ""
     end
   end
 
@@ -423,4 +376,49 @@ describe "test Pry defaults" do
       end
     end
   end
+
+  it 'should set the hooks default, and the default should be overridable' do
+    Pry.input = InputTester.new("exit-all")
+    Pry.hooks = Pry::Hooks.new.
+      add_hook(:before_session, :my_name) { |out,_,_|  out.puts "HELLO" }.
+      add_hook(:after_session, :my_name) { |out,_,_| out.puts "BYE" }
+
+    Pry.new(:output => @str_output).repl
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /HELLO/
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /BYE/
+
+    Pry.input.rewind
+
+    @str_output = StringIO.new
+    Pry.new(:output => @str_output,
+            :hooks => Pry::Hooks.new.
+            add_hook( :before_session, :my_name) { |out,_,_| out.puts "MORNING" }.
+            add_hook(:after_session, :my_name) { |out,_,_| out.puts "EVENING" }
+            ).repl
+
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /MORNING/
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /EVENING/
+
+    # try below with just defining one hook
+    Pry.input.rewind
+    @str_output = StringIO.new
+    Pry.new(:output => @str_output,
+            :hooks => Pry::Hooks.new.
+            add_hook(:before_session, :my_name) { |out,_,_| out.puts "OPEN" }
+            ).repl
+
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /OPEN/
+
+    Pry.input.rewind
+    @str_output = StringIO.new
+    Pry.new(:output => @str_output,
+            :hooks => Pry::Hooks.new.
+            add_hook(:after_session, :my_name) { |out,_,_| out.puts "CLOSE" }
+            ).repl
+
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /CLOSE/
+
+    Pry.reset_defaults
+    Pry.color = false
+  end
 end
diff --git a/test/test_syntax_checking.rb b/test/test_syntax_checking.rb
index 5527e048..cdb77109 100644
--- a/test/test_syntax_checking.rb
+++ b/test/test_syntax_checking.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 require 'helper'
+
 describe Pry do
+  before do
+    @str_output = StringIO.new
+  end
 
   [
     ["p = '", "'"],
@@ -11,12 +15,11 @@ describe Pry do
     ["pouts(<<HI, 'foo", "bar", "HI", "baz')"],
   ].each do |foo|
     it "should not raise an error on broken lines: #{foo.join("\\n")}" do
-      output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new(*foo), output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new(*foo), @str_output) do
         Pry.start
       end
 
-      output.string.should.not =~ /SyntaxError/
+      @str_output.string.should.not =~ /SyntaxError/
     end
   end
 
@@ -30,25 +33,24 @@ describe Pry do
     ["o = Object.new.tap{ def o.render;","'MEH'", "}"] # in this case the syntax error is "expecting keyword_end".
   ]).compact.each do |foo|
     it "should raise an error on invalid syntax like #{foo.inspect}" do
-      output = StringIO.new
-      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new(*foo), output) do
+      redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new(*foo), @str_output) do
         Pry.start
       end
-      output.string.should =~ /SyntaxError/
+
+      @str_output.string.should =~ /SyntaxError/
     end
   end
 
   it "should not intefere with syntax errors explicitly raised" do
-    output = StringIO.new
-    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new(%q{raise SyntaxError, "unexpected $end"}), output) do
+    redirect_pry_io(InputTester.new(%q{raise SyntaxError, "unexpected $end"}), @str_output) do
       Pry.start
     end
-    output.string.should =~ /SyntaxError/
+
+    @str_output.string.should =~ /SyntaxError/
   end
 
   it "should allow trailing , to continue the line" do
     pry = Pry.new
-
     Pry::Code.complete_expression?("puts 1, 2,").should == false
   end
 
@@ -58,7 +60,6 @@ describe Pry do
   end
 
   it "should not clobber _ex_ on a SyntaxError in the repl" do
-
     mock_pry("raise RuntimeError, 'foo';", "puts foo)", "_ex_.is_a?(RuntimeError)").should =~ /^RuntimeError.*\nSyntaxError.*\n=> true/m
   end
 end