diff --git a/cylc/flow/cfgspec/workflow.py b/cylc/flow/cfgspec/workflow.py
index e276f077efb..169c5eb66ac 100644
--- a/cylc/flow/cfgspec/workflow.py
+++ b/cylc/flow/cfgspec/workflow.py
@@ -220,16 +220,13 @@ def get_script_common_text(this: str, example: Optional[str] = None):
 
                The following directories are installed by default:
 
-               * app
-               * bin
-               * etc
-               * lib
-
-               And include the server.key file (from the .service
-               directory), this is required for authentication.
+               * ``app/``
+               * ``bin/``
+               * ``etc/``
+               * ``lib/``
 
                These should be located in the top level of your Cylc workflow,
-               i.e. the directory that contains your flow.cylc file.
+               i.e. the directory that contains your ``flow.cylc`` file.
 
             Directories must have a trailing slash.
             For example, to add the following items to your file installation:
@@ -1862,8 +1859,9 @@ def warn_about_depr_platform(cfg):
             if depr:
                 msg = "\n".join(depr)
                 LOG.warning(
-                    f'Task {task_name}: deprecated "host" and "batch system"'
-                    f' use "platform".\n{msg}'
+                    "deprecated settings found "
+                    f"(please replace with [runtime][{task_name}]platform):"
+                    f"\n{msg}"
                 )
 
 
diff --git a/cylc/flow/config.py b/cylc/flow/config.py
index 5a76b89dcd9..c02c204b8dd 100644
--- a/cylc/flow/config.py
+++ b/cylc/flow/config.py
@@ -164,13 +164,6 @@ class WorkflowConfig:
     CHECK_CIRCULAR_LIMIT = 100  # If no. tasks > this, don't check circular
     VIS_N_POINTS = 3
 
-    CYLC7_GRAPH_COMPAT_MSG = (
-        "Cylc 7 graph compatibility: making success outputs 'required' (to"
-        " retain failed tasks in the pool) and pre-spawning graph children (to"
-        " replicate Cylc 7 stall behaviour). Please refer to documentation on"
-        " upgrading Cylc 7 graphs to Cylc 8."
-    )
-
     def __init__(
         self,
         workflow: str,
@@ -629,7 +622,8 @@ def process_initial_cycle_point(self) -> None:
                 except IsodatetimeError as exc:
                     raise WorkflowConfigError(str(exc))
         if orig_icp != icp:
-            # now/next()/prev() was used, need to store evaluated point in DB
+            # now/next()/previous() was used, need to store
+            # evaluated point in DB
             self.options.icp = icp
         self.initial_point = get_point(icp).standardise()
         self.cfg['scheduling']['initial cycle point'] = str(self.initial_point)
@@ -802,20 +796,21 @@ def _check_implicit_tasks(self) -> None:
             raise WorkflowConfigError(msg)
 
         # Otherwise "[scheduler]allow implicit tasks" is not set
-        msg = (
+
+        # Allow implicit tasks in back-compat mode (unless rose-suite.conf
+        # present, to maintain compat with Rose 2019)
+        if (
+            cylc.flow.flags.cylc7_back_compat and
+            not Path(self.run_dir, 'rose-suite.conf').is_file()
+        ):
+            LOG.debug(msg)
+            return
+
+        raise WorkflowConfigError(
             f"{msg}\n"
             "To allow implicit tasks, use "
-            f"'{WorkflowFiles.FLOW_FILE}[scheduler]allow implicit tasks'\n"
-            "See https://cylc.github.io/cylc-doc/latest/html/"
-            "7-to-8/summary.html#backward-compatibility"
+            f"'{WorkflowFiles.FLOW_FILE}[scheduler]allow implicit tasks'"
         )
-        # Allow implicit tasks in Cylc 7 back-compat mode (but not if
-        # rose-suite.conf present, to maintain compat with Rose 2019)
-        if (
-            Path(self.run_dir, 'rose-suite.conf').is_file() or
-            not cylc.flow.flags.cylc7_back_compat
-        ):
-            raise WorkflowConfigError(msg)
 
     def _check_circular(self):
         """Check for circular dependence in graph."""
@@ -2010,8 +2005,6 @@ def load_graph(self):
                 sections.append((section, value))
 
         # Parse and process each graph section.
-        if cylc.flow.flags.cylc7_back_compat:
-            LOG.warning(self.__class__.CYLC7_GRAPH_COMPAT_MSG)
         task_triggers = {}
         task_output_opt = {}
         for section, graph in sections:
diff --git a/cylc/flow/cycling/iso8601.py b/cylc/flow/cycling/iso8601.py
index 339d0d87c3e..da18a9bb07c 100644
--- a/cylc/flow/cycling/iso8601.py
+++ b/cylc/flow/cycling/iso8601.py
@@ -617,11 +617,11 @@ def _get_old_anchor_step_recurrence(anchor, step, start_point):
     return str(anchor_point) + "/" + str(step)
 
 
-def ingest_time(value: str, now: Optional['TimePoint'] = None) -> str:
+def ingest_time(value: str, now: Optional[str] = None) -> str:
     """Handle relative, truncated and prev/next cycle points.
 
     Args:
-        value: The string containing the prev()/next() stuff.
+        value: The string containing the previous()/next() stuff.
         now: A time point to use as the context for resolving the value.
     """
     # remove extraneous whitespace from cycle point
@@ -635,7 +635,7 @@ def ingest_time(value: str, now: Optional['TimePoint'] = None) -> str:
         (value.startswith("-") or value.startswith("+"))
         and "P" not in value
     )
-    # prev() or next()
+    # previous() or next()
     is_prev_next = "next" in value or "previous" in value
     # offset from now (±P...)
     is_offset = value.startswith("P") or value.startswith("-P")
@@ -657,34 +657,30 @@ def ingest_time(value: str, now: Optional['TimePoint'] = None) -> str:
         # missing date-time components off the front (e.g. 01T00)
         is_truncated = timepoint.truncated
 
-    if not any((is_prev_next, is_offset, is_truncated)):
+    if not (is_prev_next or is_offset or is_truncated):
         return value
 
     if now is None:
-        now = parser.parse(get_current_time_string())
-    else:
-        now = parser.parse(now)
+        now = get_current_time_string()
+    now_point = parser.parse(now)
 
-    # correct for year in 'now' if year only,
-    # or year and time, specified in input
-        # TODO: Figure out why this correction is needed
+    # correct for year in 'now' if year is the only date unit specified -
+    # https://github.com/cylc/cylc-flow/issues/4805#issuecomment-1103928604
     if re.search(r"\(-\d{2}[);T]", value):
-        now += Duration(years=1)
-
-    # correct for month in 'now' if year and month only,
-    # or year, month and time, specified in input
+        now_point += Duration(years=1)
+    # likewise correct for month if year and month are the only date units
     elif re.search(r"\(-\d{4}[);T]", value):
-        now += Duration(months=1)
+        now_point += Duration(months=1)
 
     # perform whatever transformation is required
     offset = None
     if is_prev_next:
-        cycle_point, offset = prev_next(value, now, parser)
+        cycle_point, offset = prev_next(value, now_point, parser)
     elif is_offset:
-        cycle_point = now
+        cycle_point = now_point
         offset = value
     else:  # is_truncated
-        cycle_point = now + timepoint
+        cycle_point = now_point + timepoint
 
     if offset is not None:
         # add/subtract offset duration to/from chosen timepoint
@@ -700,10 +696,10 @@ def ingest_time(value: str, now: Optional['TimePoint'] = None) -> str:
 def prev_next(
     value: str, now: 'TimePoint', parser: 'TimePointParser'
 ) -> Tuple['TimePoint', Optional[str]]:
-    """Handle prev() and next() syntax.
+    """Handle previous() and next() syntax.
 
     Args:
-        value: The string containing the prev()/next() stuff.
+        value: The string containing the previous()/next() stuff.
         now: A time point to use as the context for resolving the value.
         parser: A time point parser.
 
@@ -713,7 +709,7 @@ def prev_next(
     # are we in gregorian mode (or some other eccentric calendar
     if CALENDAR.mode != Calendar.MODE_GREGORIAN:
         raise CylcConfigError(
-            'prev()/next() syntax must be used with integer or gregorian'
+            'previous()/next() syntax must be used with integer or gregorian'
             f' cycling modes ("{value}")'
         )
 
@@ -759,8 +755,8 @@ def prev_next(
 
     cycle_point = timepoints[my_diff.index(min(my_diff))]
 
-    # ensure truncated dates do not have
-    # time from 'now' included'
+    # ensure truncated dates do not have time from 'now' included' -
+    # https://github.com/metomi/isodatetime/issues/212
     if 'T' not in value.split(')')[0]:
         # NOTE: Strictly speaking we shouldn't forcefully mutate TimePoints
         # in this way as they're meant to be immutable since
@@ -771,18 +767,14 @@ def prev_next(
         cycle_point._hour_of_day = 0
         cycle_point._minute_of_hour = 0
         cycle_point._second_of_minute = 0
-
-    # ensure month and day from 'now' are not included
+    # likewise ensure month and day from 'now' are not included
     # where they did not appear in the truncated datetime
-    # NOTE: this may break when the order of tick over
-    # for time point is reversed!!!
-    # https://github.com/metomi/isodatetime/pull/101
-    # case 1 - year only
     if re.search(r"\(-\d{2}[);T]", value):
+        # case 1 - year only
         cycle_point._month_of_year = 1
         cycle_point._day_of_month = 1
-    # case 2 - month only or year and month
     elif re.search(r"\(-(-\d{2}|\d{4})[;T)]", value):
+        # case 2 - month only or year and month
         cycle_point._day_of_month = 1
 
     return cycle_point, offset
diff --git a/cylc/flow/workflow_files.py b/cylc/flow/workflow_files.py
index 3d8c35a3e98..de126b7cadf 100644
--- a/cylc/flow/workflow_files.py
+++ b/cylc/flow/workflow_files.py
@@ -338,24 +338,13 @@ class RemoteCleanQueueTuple(NamedTuple):
 * ssh -n "%(host)s" kill %(pid)s   # final brute force!
 """
 
-SUITERC_DEPR_MSG = (
-    "Backward compatibility mode ON for CYLC 7"
-    f" '{WorkflowFiles.SUITE_RC}' config files."
-    " When ready to upgrade, rename the file to"
-    f" {WorkflowFiles.FLOW_FILE} then address "
-    "any resulting validation errors and warnings."
-)
+SUITERC_DEPR_MSG = "Backward compatibility mode ON"
 
 NO_FLOW_FILE_MSG = (
     f"No {WorkflowFiles.FLOW_FILE} or {WorkflowFiles.SUITE_RC} "
     "in {}"
 )
 
-REG_CLASH_MSG = (
-    "The specified reg could refer to ./{0} or ~/cylc-run/{1}. "
-    "This command will use ./{0}."
-)
-
 NESTED_DIRS_MSG = (
     "Nested {dir_type} directories not allowed - cannot install workflow"
     " in '{dest}' as '{existing}' is already a valid {dir_type} directory."
diff --git a/tests/functional/cylc-clean/02-targeted.t b/tests/functional/cylc-clean/02-targeted.t
index 317b86c68d4..1b4c319332f 100644
--- a/tests/functional/cylc-clean/02-targeted.t
+++ b/tests/functional/cylc-clean/02-targeted.t
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ create_test_global_config "" "
             log = ${TEST_DIR}/${SYM_NAME}/other
             share = ${TEST_DIR}/${SYM_NAME}/other
             work = ${TEST_DIR}/${SYM_NAME}/other
-            # Need to override any symlink dirs set in global-tests.cylc:
+            # Need to override any symlink dirs set in global.cylc:
             share/cycle =
 "
 install_workflow "${TEST_NAME_BASE}" basic-workflow
diff --git a/tests/functional/cylc-install/03-file-transfer.t b/tests/functional/cylc-install/03-file-transfer.t
index 50800eeed82..e35b527e2b6 100644
--- a/tests/functional/cylc-install/03-file-transfer.t
+++ b/tests/functional/cylc-install/03-file-transfer.t
@@ -23,6 +23,18 @@ if ! command -v 'tree' >'/dev/null'; then
 fi
 set_test_number 6
 
+# Need to override any symlink dirs set in global.cylc:
+create_test_global_config "" "
+[install]
+    [[symlink dirs]]
+        [[[localhost]]]
+            run =
+            log =
+            work =
+            share =
+            share/cycle =
+"
+
 # Test cylc install copies files to run dir successfully.
 TEST_NAME="${TEST_NAME_BASE}-basic"
 make_rnd_workflow
diff --git a/tests/functional/cylc-reinstall/01-file-transfer.t b/tests/functional/cylc-reinstall/01-file-transfer.t
index 5e3e4366716..b96e5d49198 100644
--- a/tests/functional/cylc-reinstall/01-file-transfer.t
+++ b/tests/functional/cylc-reinstall/01-file-transfer.t
@@ -23,6 +23,18 @@ if ! command -v 'tree' >'/dev/null'; then
 fi
 set_test_number 9
 
+# Need to override any symlink dirs set in global.cylc:
+create_test_global_config "" "
+[install]
+    [[symlink dirs]]
+        [[[localhost]]]
+            run =
+            log =
+            work =
+            share =
+            share/cycle =
+"
+
 # Test cylc install copies files to run dir successfully.
 TEST_NAME="${TEST_NAME_BASE}-basic"
 make_rnd_workflow
diff --git a/tests/functional/optional-outputs/03-c7backcompat.t b/tests/functional/optional-outputs/03-c7backcompat.t
index 432430e09bf..cc868ac2017 100644
--- a/tests/functional/optional-outputs/03-c7backcompat.t
+++ b/tests/functional/optional-outputs/03-c7backcompat.t
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 # sufficient to check the resulting validation and run time behaviour.
 
 . "$(dirname "$0")/test_header"
-set_test_number 6
+set_test_number 5
 
 install_workflow "${TEST_NAME_BASE}" "${TEST_NAME_BASE}"
 
@@ -44,10 +44,6 @@ DEPR_MSG_1=$(python -c \
   'from cylc.flow.workflow_files import SUITERC_DEPR_MSG; print(SUITERC_DEPR_MSG)')
 grep_ok "${DEPR_MSG_1}" "${TEST_NAME}.stderr"
 
-DEPR_MSG_2=$(python -c \
-  'from cylc.flow.config import WorkflowConfig as cfg; print(cfg.CYLC7_GRAPH_COMPAT_MSG);')
-grep_ok "${DEPR_MSG_2}" "${TEST_NAME}.stderr"
-
 # And it should run without stalling with an incomplete task.
 workflow_run_ok "${TEST_NAME_BASE}-run" \
     cylc play -n --reference-test --debug "${WORKFLOW_NAME}"
diff --git a/tests/functional/optional-outputs/04-c7backcompat-blocked-task.t b/tests/functional/optional-outputs/04-c7backcompat-blocked-task.t
index d62f83ce476..c15175caa63 100644
--- a/tests/functional/optional-outputs/04-c7backcompat-blocked-task.t
+++ b/tests/functional/optional-outputs/04-c7backcompat-blocked-task.t
@@ -15,10 +15,10 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
-# Cylc 7 stall backward compatibility, single parent case  
+# Cylc 7 stall backward compatibility, single parent case
 
 . "$(dirname "$0")/test_header"
-set_test_number 8
+set_test_number 7
 
 install_workflow "${TEST_NAME_BASE}" "${TEST_NAME_BASE}"
 
@@ -30,10 +30,6 @@ DEPR_MSG_1=$(python -c \
   'from cylc.flow.workflow_files import SUITERC_DEPR_MSG; print(SUITERC_DEPR_MSG)')
 grep_ok "${DEPR_MSG_1}" "${TEST_NAME}.stderr"
 
-DEPR_MSG_2=$(python -c \
-  'from cylc.flow.config import WorkflowConfig as cfg; print(cfg.CYLC7_GRAPH_COMPAT_MSG);')
-grep_ok "${DEPR_MSG_2}" "${TEST_NAME}.stderr"
-
 # Should stall and abort with an unsatisfied prerequisite.
 workflow_run_fail "${TEST_NAME_BASE}-run" \
     cylc play -n --reference-test --debug "${WORKFLOW_NAME}"
diff --git a/tests/functional/optional-outputs/05-c7backcompat-blocked-task-2.t b/tests/functional/optional-outputs/05-c7backcompat-blocked-task-2.t
index a914d6504e0..e08be9a0a69 100644
--- a/tests/functional/optional-outputs/05-c7backcompat-blocked-task-2.t
+++ b/tests/functional/optional-outputs/05-c7backcompat-blocked-task-2.t
@@ -15,10 +15,10 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
-# Cylc 7 stall backward compatibility, multi-parent case  
+# Cylc 7 stall backward compatibility, multi-parent case
 
 . "$(dirname "$0")/test_header"
-set_test_number 8
+set_test_number 7
 
 install_workflow "${TEST_NAME_BASE}" "${TEST_NAME_BASE}"
 
@@ -30,10 +30,6 @@ DEPR_MSG_1=$(python -c \
   'from cylc.flow.workflow_files import SUITERC_DEPR_MSG; print(SUITERC_DEPR_MSG)')
 grep_ok "${DEPR_MSG_1}" "${TEST_NAME}.stderr"
 
-DEPR_MSG_2=$(python -c \
-  'from cylc.flow.config import WorkflowConfig as cfg; print(cfg.CYLC7_GRAPH_COMPAT_MSG);')
-grep_ok "${DEPR_MSG_2}" "${TEST_NAME}.stderr"
-
 # Should stall and abort with an unsatisfied prerequisite.
 workflow_run_fail "${TEST_NAME_BASE}-run" \
     cylc play -n --reference-test --debug "${WORKFLOW_NAME}"
diff --git a/tests/functional/optional-outputs/06-c7backcompat-family.t b/tests/functional/optional-outputs/06-c7backcompat-family.t
index 026917b75f7..0593f4d5b83 100644
--- a/tests/functional/optional-outputs/06-c7backcompat-family.t
+++ b/tests/functional/optional-outputs/06-c7backcompat-family.t
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 # Cylc 7 stall backward compatibility, complex family case.
 
 . "$(dirname "$0")/test_header"
-set_test_number 13
+set_test_number 12
 
 install_workflow "${TEST_NAME_BASE}" "${TEST_NAME_BASE}"
 
@@ -30,10 +30,6 @@ DEPR_MSG_1=$(python -c \
   'from cylc.flow.workflow_files import SUITERC_DEPR_MSG; print(SUITERC_DEPR_MSG)')
 grep_ok "${DEPR_MSG_1}" "${TEST_NAME}.stderr"
 
-DEPR_MSG_2=$(python -c \
-  'from cylc.flow.config import WorkflowConfig as cfg; print(cfg.CYLC7_GRAPH_COMPAT_MSG);')
-grep_ok "${DEPR_MSG_2}" "${TEST_NAME}.stderr"
-
 # Should stall and abort with unsatisfied "stall" tasks.
 workflow_run_fail "${TEST_NAME_BASE}-run" \
     cylc play -n --debug "${WORKFLOW_NAME}"
diff --git a/tests/functional/validate/37-special-implicit-task.t b/tests/functional/validate/37-special-implicit-task.t
index 179e7fc56fb..b9845e9154f 100755
--- a/tests/functional/validate/37-special-implicit-task.t
+++ b/tests/functional/validate/37-special-implicit-task.t
@@ -34,6 +34,5 @@ cmp_ok "${TEST_NAME_BASE}.stderr" << '__ERR__'
 WorkflowConfigError: implicit tasks detected (no entry under [runtime]):
     * foo
 To allow implicit tasks, use 'flow.cylc[scheduler]allow implicit tasks'
-See https://cylc.github.io/cylc-doc/latest/html/7-to-8/summary.html#backward-compatibility
 __ERR__
 exit
diff --git a/tests/functional/validate/67-relative-icp.t b/tests/functional/validate/67-relative-icp.t
index f9c9d5d70e3..05a678f1acf 100755
--- a/tests/functional/validate/67-relative-icp.t
+++ b/tests/functional/validate/67-relative-icp.t
@@ -16,25 +16,25 @@
 # along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
 # Checking that syntax of relative initial cycle point is validated.
-# NOTE: THIS TEST WILL FAIL FROM 01/01/2117
+# Note: remember to update this test after 01/01/2117
 
 . "$(dirname "$0")/test_header"
-
-set_test_number 2
+set_test_number 3
 
 cat >'flow.cylc' <<'__FLOW_CONFIG__'
 [scheduler]
     UTC mode = true
+    allow implicit tasks = True
 [scheduling]
     initial cycle point = previous(-17T1200Z; -18T1200Z) - P1D
     [[graph]]
         P1D = t1
-[runtime]
-    [[t1]]
-        script = true
 __FLOW_CONFIG__
 
-run_ok "${TEST_NAME_BASE}" cylc graph --reference .
-grep_ok "20171231T1200Z/t1" "${TEST_NAME_BASE}.stdout"
+run_ok "${TEST_NAME_BASE}-val" cylc validate .
+
+TEST_NAME="${TEST_NAME_BASE}-graph"
+run_ok "$TEST_NAME" cylc graph --reference .
+grep_ok "20171231T1200Z/t1" "${TEST_NAME}.stdout"
 
 exit
diff --git a/tests/unit/cfgspec/test_workflow.py b/tests/unit/cfgspec/test_workflow.py
index 1a8e44df90c..7adbd319d83 100644
--- a/tests/unit/cfgspec/test_workflow.py
+++ b/tests/unit/cfgspec/test_workflow.py
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@
                     'job': {'batch system': 'pbs'}
                 }
             },
-            False, "Task bar: deprecated \"host\" and \"batch system\"",
+            False, "please replace with [runtime][bar]platform",
             id="Deprecated settings"
         )
     ]
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_config.py b/tests/unit/test_config.py
index d88e181e6cb..ce3baac3054 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_config.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_config.py
@@ -1134,16 +1134,14 @@ def test_invalid_custom_output_msg(tmp_flow_config: Callable):
     ) in str(cm.value)
 
 
-def test_c7_back_compat_optional_outputs(tmp_flow_config, monkeypatch, caplog):
+def test_c7_back_compat_optional_outputs(tmp_flow_config, monkeypatch):
     """Test optional and required outputs Cylc 7 back compat mode.
 
     Success outputs should be required, others optional. Tested here because
     success is set to required after graph parsing, in taskdef processing.
 
     """
-    caplog.set_level(logging.WARNING, CYLC_LOG)
-    monkeypatch.setattr(
-        'cylc.flow.flags.cylc7_back_compat', True)
+    monkeypatch.setattr('cylc.flow.flags.cylc7_back_compat', True)
     reg = 'custom_out2'
     flow_file = tmp_flow_config(reg, '''
     [scheduling]
@@ -1161,7 +1159,6 @@ def test_c7_back_compat_optional_outputs(tmp_flow_config, monkeypatch, caplog):
     ''')
 
     cfg = WorkflowConfig(workflow=reg, fpath=flow_file, options=None)
-    assert WorkflowConfig.CYLC7_GRAPH_COMPAT_MSG in caplog.text
 
     for taskdef in cfg.taskdefs.values():
         for output, (_, required) in taskdef.outputs.items():
@@ -1227,22 +1224,22 @@ def test_success_after_optional_submit(tmp_flow_config, graph):
     ]
 )
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
-    'cylc7_compat, rose_suite_conf, expected_exc',
+    'cylc7_compat, rose_suite_conf, expected_exc, extra_msg',
     [
         pytest.param(
-            False, False, WorkflowConfigError,
+            False, False, WorkflowConfigError, True,
             id="Default"
         ),
         pytest.param(
-            False, True, WorkflowConfigError,
+            False, True, WorkflowConfigError, True,
             id="rose-suite.conf present"
         ),
         pytest.param(
-            True, False, None,
+            True, False, None, False,
             id="Cylc 7 back-compat"
         ),
         pytest.param(
-            True, True, WorkflowConfigError,
+            True, True, WorkflowConfigError, False,
             id="Cylc 7 back-compat, rose-suite.conf present"
         ),
     ]
@@ -1252,6 +1249,7 @@ def test_implicit_tasks(
     cylc7_compat: bool,
     rose_suite_conf: bool,
     expected_exc: Optional[Type[Exception]],
+    extra_msg: bool,
     caplog: pytest.LogCaptureFixture,
     log_filter: Callable,
     monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
@@ -1266,6 +1264,8 @@ def test_implicit_tasks(
         rose_suite_conf: Whether a rose-suite.conf file is present in run dir.
         expected_exc: Exception expected to be raised only when
             "[scheduler]allow implicit tasks" is not set.
+        extra_msg: If True, there should be the note on how to allow implicit
+            tasks in the err msg.
     """
     # Setup
     reg = 'rincewind'
@@ -1289,11 +1289,12 @@ def test_implicit_tasks(
         expected_exc = WorkflowConfigError
     # Test
     args: dict = {'workflow': reg, 'fpath': flow_file, 'options': None}
-    expected_msg = "implicit tasks detected"
+    expected_msg = r"implicit tasks detected.*"
+    if allow_implicit_tasks is not False and extra_msg:
+        expected_msg += r"[\s\S]*To allow implicit tasks.*"
     if expected_exc:
-        with pytest.raises(expected_exc) as exc:
+        with pytest.raises(expected_exc, match=expected_msg):
             WorkflowConfig(**args)
-        assert expected_msg in str(exc.value)
     else:
         WorkflowConfig(**args)