diff --git a/spec/finders/move_to_project_finder_spec.rb b/spec/finders/move_to_project_finder_spec.rb
index fdce4e714ff..8488dbd2a16 100644
--- a/spec/finders/move_to_project_finder_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/finders/move_to_project_finder_spec.rb
@@ -2,13 +2,13 @@ require 'spec_helper'
 
 describe MoveToProjectFinder do
   let(:user) { create(:user) }
-  let(:project) { create(:project) }
+  let(:project) { create(:empty_project) }
 
-  let(:no_access_project) { create(:project) }
-  let(:guest_project) { create(:project) }
-  let(:reporter_project) { create(:project) }
-  let(:developer_project) { create(:project) }
-  let(:master_project) { create(:project) }
+  let(:no_access_project) { create(:empty_project) }
+  let(:guest_project) { create(:empty_project) }
+  let(:reporter_project) { create(:empty_project) }
+  let(:developer_project) { create(:empty_project) }
+  let(:master_project) { create(:empty_project) }
 
   subject { described_class.new(user) }
 
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ describe MoveToProjectFinder do
       it 'does not return archived projects' do
         reporter_project.team << [user, :reporter]
         reporter_project.update_attributes(archived: true)
-        other_reporter_project = create(:project)
+        other_reporter_project = create(:empty_project)
         other_reporter_project.team << [user, :reporter]
 
         expect(subject.execute(project).to_a).to eq([other_reporter_project])
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ describe MoveToProjectFinder do
       it 'does not return projects for which issues are disabled' do
         reporter_project.team << [user, :reporter]
         reporter_project.update_attributes(issues_enabled: false)
-        other_reporter_project = create(:project)
+        other_reporter_project = create(:empty_project)
         other_reporter_project.team << [user, :reporter]
 
         expect(subject.execute(project).to_a).to eq([other_reporter_project])
@@ -83,10 +83,10 @@ describe MoveToProjectFinder do
       end
 
       it 'returns projects matching a search query' do
-        foo_project = create(:project)
+        foo_project = create(:empty_project)
         foo_project.team << [user, :master]
 
-        wadus_project = create(:project, name: 'wadus')
+        wadus_project = create(:empty_project, name: 'wadus')
         wadus_project.team << [user, :master]
 
         expect(subject.execute(project).to_a).to eq([wadus_project, foo_project])
diff --git a/spec/models/merge_request_spec.rb b/spec/models/merge_request_spec.rb
index 38c80ba53ad..32ed1e96749 100644
--- a/spec/models/merge_request_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/merge_request_spec.rb
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#target_branch_sha' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project) }
+    let(:project) { create(:project, :repository) }
 
     subject { create(:merge_request, source_project: project, target_project: project) }
 
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
     end
 
     it 'supports a cross-project reference' do
-      another_project = build(:project, name: 'another-project', namespace: project.namespace)
+      another_project = build(:empty_project, name: 'another-project', namespace: project.namespace)
       expect(merge_request.to_reference(another_project)).to eq "sample-project!1"
     end
 
@@ -245,8 +245,8 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
 
   describe '#for_fork?' do
     it 'returns true if the merge request is for a fork' do
-      subject.source_project = create(:project, namespace: create(:group))
-      subject.target_project = create(:project, namespace: create(:group))
+      subject.source_project = build_stubbed(:empty_project, namespace: create(:group))
+      subject.target_project = build_stubbed(:empty_project, namespace: create(:group))
 
       expect(subject.for_fork?).to be_truthy
     end
@@ -501,8 +501,8 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#diverged_commits_count' do
-    let(:project)      { create(:project) }
-    let(:fork_project) { create(:project, forked_from_project: project) }
+    let(:project)      { create(:project, :repository) }
+    let(:fork_project) { create(:project, :repository, forked_from_project: project) }
 
     context 'when the target branch does not exist anymore' do
       subject { create(:merge_request, source_project: project, target_project: project) }
@@ -727,7 +727,7 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#participants' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project, :public) }
+    let(:project) { create(:empty_project, :public) }
 
     let(:mr) do
       create(:merge_request, source_project: project, target_project: project)
@@ -768,7 +768,7 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#check_if_can_be_merged' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project, only_allow_merge_if_build_succeeds: true) }
+    let(:project) { create(:empty_project, only_allow_merge_if_build_succeeds: true) }
 
     subject { create(:merge_request, source_project: project, merge_status: :unchecked) }
 
@@ -789,7 +789,7 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
       it 'becomes unmergeable' do
         expect { subject.check_if_can_be_merged }.to change { subject.merge_status }.to('cannot_be_merged')
       end
-      
+
       it 'creates Todo on unmergeability' do
         expect_any_instance_of(TodoService).to receive(:merge_request_became_unmergeable).with(subject)
 
@@ -810,7 +810,7 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#mergeable?' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project) }
+    let(:project) { create(:empty_project) }
 
     subject { create(:merge_request, source_project: project) }
 
@@ -830,7 +830,7 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#mergeable_state?' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project) }
+    let(:project) { create(:project, :repository) }
 
     subject { create(:merge_request, source_project: project) }
 
@@ -957,7 +957,7 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
     let(:merge_request) { create(:merge_request_with_diff_notes, source_project: project) }
 
     context 'when project.only_allow_merge_if_all_discussions_are_resolved == true' do
-      let(:project) { create(:project, only_allow_merge_if_all_discussions_are_resolved: true) }
+      let(:project) { create(:project, :repository, only_allow_merge_if_all_discussions_are_resolved: true) }
 
       context 'with all discussions resolved' do
         before do
@@ -991,7 +991,7 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
     end
 
     context 'when project.only_allow_merge_if_all_discussions_are_resolved == false' do
-      let(:project) { create(:project, only_allow_merge_if_all_discussions_are_resolved: false) }
+      let(:project) { create(:project, :repository, only_allow_merge_if_all_discussions_are_resolved: false) }
 
       context 'with unresolved discussions' do
         before do
@@ -1006,7 +1006,7 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
   end
 
   describe "#environments" do
-    let(:project)       { create(:project) }
+    let(:project)       { create(:project, :repository) }
     let(:merge_request) { create(:merge_request, source_project: project) }
 
     context 'with multiple environments' do
@@ -1024,7 +1024,7 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
 
     context 'with environments on source project' do
       let(:source_project) do
-        create(:project) do |fork_project|
+        create(:project, :repository) do |fork_project|
           fork_project.create_forked_project_link(forked_to_project_id: fork_project.id, forked_from_project_id: project.id)
         end
       end
@@ -1401,8 +1401,8 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
   end
 
   describe "#source_project_missing?" do
-    let(:project)      { create(:project) }
-    let(:fork_project) { create(:project, forked_from_project: project) }
+    let(:project)      { create(:empty_project) }
+    let(:fork_project) { create(:empty_project, forked_from_project: project) }
     let(:user)         { create(:user) }
     let(:unlink_project) { Projects::UnlinkForkService.new(fork_project, user) }
 
@@ -1439,8 +1439,8 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
   end
 
   describe "#closed_without_fork?" do
-    let(:project)      { create(:project) }
-    let(:fork_project) { create(:project, forked_from_project: project) }
+    let(:project)      { create(:empty_project) }
+    let(:fork_project) { create(:empty_project, forked_from_project: project) }
     let(:user)         { create(:user) }
     let(:unlink_project) { Projects::UnlinkForkService.new(fork_project, user) }
 
@@ -1485,9 +1485,9 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
       end
 
       context 'forked project' do
-        let(:project)      { create(:project) }
+        let(:project)      { create(:empty_project) }
         let(:user)         { create(:user) }
-        let(:fork_project) { create(:project, forked_from_project: project, namespace: user.namespace) }
+        let(:fork_project) { create(:empty_project, forked_from_project: project, namespace: user.namespace) }
 
         let!(:merge_request) do
           create(:closed_merge_request,
@@ -1531,7 +1531,7 @@ describe MergeRequest, models: true do
         status:  status)
     end
 
-    let(:project)       { create(:project, :public, only_allow_merge_if_build_succeeds: true) }
+    let(:project)       { create(:project, :public, :repository, only_allow_merge_if_build_succeeds: true) }
     let(:developer)     { create(:user) }
     let(:user)          { create(:user) }
     let(:merge_request) { create(:merge_request, source_project: project) }
diff --git a/spec/models/project_spec.rb b/spec/models/project_spec.rb
index e93a4e62244..8048e86fc3a 100644
--- a/spec/models/project_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/project_spec.rb
@@ -73,9 +73,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
 
     context 'after initialized' do
       it "has a project_feature" do
-        project = FactoryGirl.build(:project)
-
-        expect(project.project_feature.present?).to be_present
+        expect(Project.new.project_feature).to be_present
       end
     end
 
@@ -129,7 +127,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe 'validation' do
-    let!(:project) { create(:project) }
+    let!(:project) { create(:empty_project) }
 
     it { is_expected.to validate_presence_of(:name) }
     it { is_expected.to validate_uniqueness_of(:name).scoped_to(:namespace_id) }
@@ -148,7 +146,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
     it { is_expected.to validate_presence_of(:repository_storage) }
 
     it 'does not allow new projects beyond user limits' do
-      project2 = build(:project)
+      project2 = build(:empty_project)
       allow(project2).to receive(:creator).and_return(double(can_create_project?: false, projects_limit: 0).as_null_object)
       expect(project2).not_to be_valid
       expect(project2.errors[:limit_reached].first).to match(/Personal project creation is not allowed/)
@@ -157,7 +155,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
     describe 'wiki path conflict' do
       context "when the new path has been used by the wiki of other Project" do
         it 'has an error on the name attribute' do
-          new_project = build_stubbed(:project, namespace_id: project.namespace_id, path: "#{project.path}.wiki")
+          new_project = build_stubbed(:empty_project, namespace_id: project.namespace_id, path: "#{project.path}.wiki")
 
           expect(new_project).not_to be_valid
           expect(new_project.errors[:name].first).to eq('has already been taken')
@@ -166,8 +164,8 @@ describe Project, models: true do
 
       context "when the new wiki path has been used by the path of other Project" do
         it 'has an error on the name attribute' do
-          project_with_wiki_suffix = create(:project, path: 'foo.wiki')
-          new_project = build_stubbed(:project, namespace_id: project_with_wiki_suffix.namespace_id, path: 'foo')
+          project_with_wiki_suffix = create(:empty_project, path: 'foo.wiki')
+          new_project = build_stubbed(:empty_project, namespace_id: project_with_wiki_suffix.namespace_id, path: 'foo')
 
           expect(new_project).not_to be_valid
           expect(new_project.errors[:name].first).to eq('has already been taken')
@@ -176,7 +174,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
     end
 
     context 'repository storages inclussion' do
-      let(:project2) { build(:project, repository_storage: 'missing') }
+      let(:project2) { build(:empty_project, repository_storage: 'missing') }
 
       before do
         storages = { 'custom' => 'tmp/tests/custom_repositories' }
@@ -352,7 +350,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#repository_storage_path' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project, repository_storage: 'custom') }
+    let(:project) { create(:empty_project, repository_storage: 'custom') }
 
     before do
       FileUtils.mkdir('tmp/tests/custom_repositories')
@@ -412,7 +410,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   describe 'last_activity methods' do
     let(:timestamp) { 2.hours.ago }
     # last_activity_at gets set to created_at upon creation
-    let(:project) { create(:project, created_at: timestamp, updated_at: timestamp) }
+    let(:project) { create(:empty_project, created_at: timestamp, updated_at: timestamp) }
 
     describe 'last_activity' do
       it 'alias last_activity to last_event' do
@@ -496,7 +494,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
     context 'with namespace' do
       before do
         @group = create :group, name: 'gitlab'
-        @project = create(:project, name: 'gitlabhq', namespace: @group)
+        @project = create(:empty_project, name: 'gitlabhq', namespace: @group)
       end
 
       it { expect(@project.to_param).to eq('gitlabhq') }
@@ -522,7 +520,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#repository' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project) }
+    let(:project) { create(:project, :repository) }
 
     it 'returns valid repo' do
       expect(project.repository).to be_kind_of(Repository)
@@ -530,20 +528,22 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#default_issues_tracker?' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project) }
-    let(:ext_project) { create(:redmine_project) }
-
     it "is true if used internal tracker" do
+      project = build(:empty_project)
+
       expect(project.default_issues_tracker?).to be_truthy
     end
 
     it "is false if used other tracker" do
-      expect(ext_project.default_issues_tracker?).to be_falsey
+      # NOTE: The current nature of this factory requires persistence
+      project = create(:redmine_project)
+
+      expect(project.default_issues_tracker?).to be_falsey
     end
   end
 
   describe '#external_issue_tracker' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project) }
+    let(:project) { create(:empty_project) }
     let(:ext_project) { create(:redmine_project) }
 
     context 'on existing projects with no value for has_external_issue_tracker' do
@@ -578,7 +578,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#cache_has_external_issue_tracker' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project, has_external_issue_tracker: nil) }
+    let(:project) { create(:empty_project, has_external_issue_tracker: nil) }
 
     it 'stores true if there is any external_issue_tracker' do
       services = double(:service, external_issue_trackers: [RedmineService.new])
@@ -600,9 +600,9 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#has_wiki?' do
-    let(:no_wiki_project)       { create(:project, wiki_access_level: ProjectFeature::DISABLED, has_external_wiki: false) }
-    let(:wiki_enabled_project)  { create(:project) }
-    let(:external_wiki_project) { create(:project, has_external_wiki: true) }
+    let(:no_wiki_project)       { create(:empty_project, wiki_access_level: ProjectFeature::DISABLED, has_external_wiki: false) }
+    let(:wiki_enabled_project)  { create(:empty_project) }
+    let(:external_wiki_project) { create(:empty_project, has_external_wiki: true) }
 
     it 'returns true if project is wiki enabled or has external wiki' do
       expect(wiki_enabled_project).to have_wiki
@@ -612,7 +612,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#external_wiki' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project) }
+    let(:project) { create(:empty_project) }
 
     context 'with an active external wiki' do
       before do
@@ -663,7 +663,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#open_branches' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project) }
+    let(:project) { create(:project, :repository) }
 
     before do
       project.protected_branches.create(name: 'master')
@@ -685,7 +685,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
     it 'counts stars from multiple users' do
       user1 = create :user
       user2 = create :user
-      project = create :project, :public
+      project = create(:empty_project, :public)
 
       expect(project.star_count).to eq(0)
 
@@ -707,8 +707,8 @@ describe Project, models: true do
 
     it 'counts stars on the right project' do
       user = create :user
-      project1 = create :project, :public
-      project2 = create :project, :public
+      project1 = create(:empty_project, :public)
+      project2 = create(:empty_project, :public)
 
       expect(project1.star_count).to eq(0)
       expect(project2.star_count).to eq(0)
@@ -740,7 +740,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#avatar_type' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project) }
+    let(:project) { create(:empty_project) }
 
     it 'is true if avatar is image' do
       project.update_attribute(:avatar, 'uploads/avatar.png')
@@ -756,7 +756,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   describe '#avatar_url' do
     subject { project.avatar_url }
 
-    let(:project) { create(:project) }
+    let(:project) { create(:empty_project) }
 
     context 'When avatar file is uploaded' do
       before do
@@ -791,7 +791,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#pipeline_for' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project) }
+    let(:project) { create(:project, :repository) }
     let!(:pipeline) { create_pipeline }
 
     shared_examples 'giving the correct pipeline' do
@@ -825,7 +825,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#builds_enabled' do
-    let(:project) { create :project }
+    let(:project) { create(:empty_project) }
 
     subject { project.builds_enabled }
 
@@ -877,7 +877,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '.visible_to_user' do
-    let!(:project) { create(:project, :private) }
+    let!(:project) { create(:empty_project, :private) }
     let!(:user)    { create(:user) }
 
     subject { described_class.visible_to_user(user) }
@@ -975,7 +975,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#visibility_level_allowed?' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project, :internal) }
+    let(:project) { create(:empty_project, :internal) }
 
     context 'when checking on non-forked project' do
       it { expect(project.visibility_level_allowed?(Gitlab::VisibilityLevel::PRIVATE)).to be_truthy }
@@ -984,8 +984,8 @@ describe Project, models: true do
     end
 
     context 'when checking on forked project' do
-      let(:project)        { create(:project, :internal) }
-      let(:forked_project) { create(:project, forked_from_project: project) }
+      let(:project)        { create(:empty_project, :internal) }
+      let(:forked_project) { create(:empty_project, forked_from_project: project) }
 
       it { expect(forked_project.visibility_level_allowed?(Gitlab::VisibilityLevel::PRIVATE)).to be_truthy }
       it { expect(forked_project.visibility_level_allowed?(Gitlab::VisibilityLevel::INTERNAL)).to be_truthy }
@@ -994,7 +994,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '.search' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project, description: 'kitten mittens') }
+    let(:project) { create(:empty_project, description: 'kitten mittens') }
 
     it 'returns projects with a matching name' do
       expect(described_class.search(project.name)).to eq([project])
@@ -1052,7 +1052,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#rename_repo' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project) }
+    let(:project) { create(:project, :repository) }
     let(:gitlab_shell) { Gitlab::Shell.new }
 
     before do
@@ -1102,7 +1102,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#expire_caches_before_rename' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project) }
+    let(:project) { create(:project, :repository) }
     let(:repo)    { double(:repo, exists?: true) }
     let(:wiki)    { double(:wiki, exists?: true) }
 
@@ -1123,7 +1123,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '.search_by_title' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project, name: 'kittens') }
+    let(:project) { create(:empty_project, name: 'kittens') }
 
     it 'returns projects with a matching name' do
       expect(described_class.search_by_title(project.name)).to eq([project])
@@ -1142,8 +1142,8 @@ describe Project, models: true do
     let(:private_group)    { create(:group, visibility_level: 0)  }
     let(:internal_group)   { create(:group, visibility_level: 10) }
 
-    let(:private_project)  { create :project, :private, group: private_group }
-    let(:internal_project) { create :project, :internal, group: internal_group }
+    let(:private_project)  { create :empty_project, :private, group: private_group }
+    let(:internal_project) { create :empty_project, :internal, group: internal_group }
 
     context 'when group is private project can not be internal' do
       it { expect(private_project.visibility_level_allowed?(Gitlab::VisibilityLevel::INTERNAL)).to be_falsey }
@@ -1155,7 +1155,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#create_repository' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project) }
+    let(:project) { create(:project, :repository) }
     let(:shell) { Gitlab::Shell.new }
 
     before do
@@ -1197,7 +1197,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
 
   describe '#protected_branch?' do
     context 'existing project' do
-      let(:project) { create(:project) }
+      let(:project) { create(:project, :repository) }
 
       it 'returns true when the branch matches a protected branch via direct match' do
         create(:protected_branch, project: project, name: "foo")
@@ -1381,7 +1381,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
              name: name)
     end
 
-    let(:project) { create(:project) }
+    let(:project) { create(:project, :repository) }
     let(:pipeline) { create_pipeline }
 
     context 'with many builds' do
@@ -1461,7 +1461,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
     end
 
     context 'not forked' do
-      let(:project) { create(:project) }
+      let(:project) { create(:empty_project) }
 
       it 'schedules a RepositoryImportWorker job' do
         expect(RepositoryImportWorker).to receive(:perform_async).with(project.id)
@@ -1472,19 +1472,19 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#gitlab_project_import?' do
-    subject(:project) { build(:project, import_type: 'gitlab_project') }
+    subject(:project) { build(:empty_project, import_type: 'gitlab_project') }
 
     it { expect(project.gitlab_project_import?).to be true }
   end
 
   describe '#gitea_import?' do
-    subject(:project) { build(:project, import_type: 'gitea') }
+    subject(:project) { build(:empty_project, import_type: 'gitea') }
 
     it { expect(project.gitea_import?).to be true }
   end
 
   describe '#lfs_enabled?' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project) }
+    let(:project) { create(:empty_project) }
 
     shared_examples 'project overrides group' do
       it 'returns true when enabled in project' do
@@ -1546,7 +1546,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#change_head' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project) }
+    let(:project) { create(:project, :repository) }
 
     it 'calls the before_change_head and after_change_head methods' do
       expect(project.repository).to receive(:before_change_head)
@@ -1574,7 +1574,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#pushes_since_gc' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project) }
+    let(:project) { create(:empty_project) }
 
     after do
       project.reset_pushes_since_gc
@@ -1596,7 +1596,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#increment_pushes_since_gc' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project) }
+    let(:project) { create(:empty_project) }
 
     after do
       project.reset_pushes_since_gc
@@ -1610,7 +1610,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#reset_pushes_since_gc' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project) }
+    let(:project) { create(:empty_project) }
 
     after do
       project.reset_pushes_since_gc
@@ -1626,7 +1626,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#environments_for' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project) }
+    let(:project) { create(:project, :repository) }
     let(:environment) { create(:environment, project: project) }
 
     context 'tagged deployment' do
@@ -1678,7 +1678,7 @@ describe Project, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#environments_recently_updated_on_branch' do
-    let(:project) { create(:project) }
+    let(:project) { create(:project, :repository) }
     let(:environment) { create(:environment, project: project) }
 
     context 'when last deployment to environment is the most recent one' do
diff --git a/spec/models/user_spec.rb b/spec/models/user_spec.rb
index 8b20ee81614..ca3d4ff0aa9 100644
--- a/spec/models/user_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/user_spec.rb
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ describe User, models: true do
     describe '#project_members' do
       it 'does not include project memberships for which user is a requester' do
         user = create(:user)
-        project = create(:project, :public, :access_requestable)
+        project = create(:empty_project, :public, :access_requestable)
         project.request_access(user)
 
         expect(user.project_members).to be_empty
@@ -386,13 +386,15 @@ describe User, models: true do
 
   describe 'projects' do
     before do
-      @user = create :user
-      @project = create :project, namespace: @user.namespace
-      @project_2 = create :project, group: create(:group) # Grant MASTER access to the user
-      @project_3 = create :project, group: create(:group) # Grant DEVELOPER access to the user
+      @user = create(:user)
 
-      @project_2.team << [@user, :master]
-      @project_3.team << [@user, :developer]
+      @project = create(:empty_project, namespace: @user.namespace)
+      @project_2 = create(:empty_project, group: create(:group)) do |project|
+        project.add_master(@user)
+      end
+      @project_3 = create(:empty_project, group: create(:group)) do |project|
+        project.add_developer(@user)
+      end
     end
 
     it { expect(@user.authorized_projects).to include(@project) }
@@ -435,7 +437,7 @@ describe User, models: true do
   describe 'namespaced' do
     before do
       @user = create :user
-      @project = create :project, namespace: @user.namespace
+      @project = create(:empty_project, namespace: @user.namespace)
     end
 
     it { expect(@user.several_namespaces?).to be_falsey }
@@ -517,7 +519,7 @@ describe User, models: true do
     before do
       User.delete_all
       @user = create :user
-      @project = create :project
+      @project = create(:empty_project)
     end
 
     it { expect(User.not_in_project(@project)).to include(@user, @project.owner) }
@@ -927,8 +929,8 @@ describe User, models: true do
   describe "#starred?" do
     it "determines if user starred a project" do
       user = create :user
-      project1 = create :project, :public
-      project2 = create :project, :public
+      project1 = create(:empty_project, :public)
+      project2 = create(:empty_project, :public)
 
       expect(user.starred?(project1)).to be_falsey
       expect(user.starred?(project2)).to be_falsey
@@ -954,7 +956,7 @@ describe User, models: true do
   describe "#toggle_star" do
     it "toggles stars" do
       user = create :user
-      project = create :project, :public
+      project = create(:empty_project, :public)
 
       expect(user.starred?(project)).to be_falsey
       user.toggle_star(project)
@@ -994,9 +996,9 @@ describe User, models: true do
 
   describe "#contributed_projects" do
     subject { create(:user) }
-    let!(:project1) { create(:project) }
-    let!(:project2) { create(:project, forked_from_project: project3) }
-    let!(:project3) { create(:project) }
+    let!(:project1) { create(:empty_project) }
+    let!(:project2) { create(:empty_project, forked_from_project: project3) }
+    let!(:project3) { create(:empty_project) }
     let!(:merge_request) { create(:merge_request, source_project: project2, target_project: project3, author: subject) }
     let!(:push_event) { create(:event, action: Event::PUSHED, project: project1, target: project1, author: subject) }
     let!(:merge_event) { create(:event, action: Event::CREATED, project: project3, target: merge_request, author: subject) }
@@ -1038,8 +1040,8 @@ describe User, models: true do
 
   describe "#recent_push" do
     subject { create(:user) }
-    let!(:project1) { create(:project) }
-    let!(:project2) { create(:project, forked_from_project: project1) }
+    let!(:project1) { create(:project, :repository) }
+    let!(:project2) { create(:project, :repository, forked_from_project: project1) }
     let!(:push_data) do
       Gitlab::DataBuilder::Push.build_sample(project2, subject)
     end
@@ -1113,7 +1115,7 @@ describe User, models: true do
 
     it "includes user's personal projects" do
       user    = create(:user)
-      project = create(:project, :private, namespace: user.namespace)
+      project = create(:empty_project, :private, namespace: user.namespace)
 
       expect(user.authorized_projects).to include(project)
     end
@@ -1121,7 +1123,7 @@ describe User, models: true do
     it "includes personal projects user has been given access to" do
       user1   = create(:user)
       user2   = create(:user)
-      project = create(:project, :private, namespace: user1.namespace)
+      project = create(:empty_project, :private, namespace: user1.namespace)
 
       project.team << [user2, Gitlab::Access::DEVELOPER]
 
@@ -1130,7 +1132,7 @@ describe User, models: true do
 
     it "includes projects of groups user has been added to" do
       group   = create(:group)
-      project = create(:project, group: group)
+      project = create(:empty_project, group: group)
       user    = create(:user)
 
       group.add_developer(user)
@@ -1140,7 +1142,7 @@ describe User, models: true do
 
     it "does not include projects of groups user has been removed from" do
       group   = create(:group)
-      project = create(:project, group: group)
+      project = create(:empty_project, group: group)
       user    = create(:user)
 
       member = group.add_developer(user)
@@ -1152,7 +1154,7 @@ describe User, models: true do
 
     it "includes projects shared with user's group" do
       user    = create(:user)
-      project = create(:project, :private)
+      project = create(:empty_project, :private)
       group   = create(:group)
 
       group.add_reporter(user)
@@ -1164,7 +1166,7 @@ describe User, models: true do
     it "does not include destroyed projects user had access to" do
       user1   = create(:user)
       user2   = create(:user)
-      project = create(:project, :private, namespace: user1.namespace)
+      project = create(:empty_project, :private, namespace: user1.namespace)
 
       project.team << [user2, Gitlab::Access::DEVELOPER]
       expect(user2.authorized_projects).to include(project)
@@ -1175,7 +1177,7 @@ describe User, models: true do
 
     it "does not include projects of destroyed groups user had access to" do
       group   = create(:group)
-      project = create(:project, namespace: group)
+      project = create(:empty_project, namespace: group)
       user    = create(:user)
 
       group.add_developer(user)
@@ -1190,14 +1192,9 @@ describe User, models: true do
     let(:user) { create(:user) }
 
     it 'includes projects for which the user access level is above or equal to reporter' do
-      create(:project)
-      reporter_project = create(:project)
-      developer_project = create(:project)
-      master_project = create(:project)
-
-      reporter_project.team << [user, :reporter]
-      developer_project.team << [user, :developer]
-      master_project.team << [user, :master]
+      reporter_project  = create(:empty_project) { |p| p.add_reporter(user) }
+      developer_project = create(:empty_project) { |p| p.add_developer(user) }
+      master_project    = create(:empty_project) { |p| p.add_master(user) }
 
       expect(user.projects_where_can_admin_issues.to_a).to eq([master_project, developer_project, reporter_project])
       expect(user.can?(:admin_issue, master_project)).to eq(true)
@@ -1206,10 +1203,8 @@ describe User, models: true do
     end
 
     it 'does not include for which the user access level is below reporter' do
-      project = create(:project)
-      guest_project = create(:project)
-
-      guest_project.team << [user, :guest]
+      project = create(:empty_project)
+      guest_project = create(:empty_project) { |p| p.add_guest(user) }
 
       expect(user.projects_where_can_admin_issues.to_a).to be_empty
       expect(user.can?(:admin_issue, guest_project)).to eq(false)
@@ -1217,15 +1212,14 @@ describe User, models: true do
     end
 
     it 'does not include archived projects' do
-      project = create(:project)
-      project.update_attributes(archived: true)
+      project = create(:empty_project, :archived)
 
       expect(user.projects_where_can_admin_issues.to_a).to be_empty
       expect(user.can?(:admin_issue, project)).to eq(false)
     end
 
     it 'does not include projects for which issues are disabled' do
-      project = create(:project, issues_access_level: ProjectFeature::DISABLED)
+      project = create(:empty_project, issues_access_level: ProjectFeature::DISABLED)
 
       expect(user.projects_where_can_admin_issues.to_a).to be_empty
       expect(user.can?(:admin_issue, project)).to eq(false)
@@ -1241,7 +1235,7 @@ describe User, models: true do
     end
 
     context 'without any projects' do
-      let(:project) { create(:project) }
+      let(:project) { create(:empty_project) }
 
       it 'does not load' do
         expect(user.ci_authorized_runners).to be_empty
@@ -1250,7 +1244,7 @@ describe User, models: true do
 
     context 'with personal projects runners' do
       let(:namespace) { create(:namespace, owner: user) }
-      let(:project) { create(:project, namespace: namespace) }
+      let(:project) { create(:empty_project, namespace: namespace) }
 
       it 'loads' do
         expect(user.ci_authorized_runners).to contain_exactly(runner)
@@ -1281,7 +1275,7 @@ describe User, models: true do
 
     context 'with groups projects runners' do
       let(:group) { create(:group) }
-      let(:project) { create(:project, group: group) }
+      let(:project) { create(:empty_project, group: group) }
 
       def add_user(access)
         group.add_user(user, access)
@@ -1291,7 +1285,7 @@ describe User, models: true do
     end
 
     context 'with other projects runners' do
-      let(:project) { create(:project) }
+      let(:project) { create(:empty_project) }
 
       def add_user(access)
         project.team << [user, access]
@@ -1321,8 +1315,8 @@ describe User, models: true do
   end
 
   describe '#projects_with_reporter_access_limited_to' do
-    let(:project1) { create(:project) }
-    let(:project2) { create(:project) }
+    let(:project1) { create(:empty_project) }
+    let(:project2) { create(:empty_project) }
     let(:user) { create(:user) }
 
     before do