Karate API Testing - Access variable value across scenario in a feature file - api

Question

I am running into this situation (similar to this) when trying to do the following:
Scenario: Create User
Given path 'user'
And request read('user.json');
When method post
Then status 200
And def user_id = response.userId
Scenario: Test A
Given path 'user/' + user_id <- Received javascript error here
...
Scenario: Test B
Given path 'user/' + user_id <- Received javascript error here
...
Scenario: Test A
Given path 'user/' + user_id <- Received javascript error here
...
Basically what i am trying to do is create a user in my database first, then run it through a series of test and use a last scenario to delete this user. Therefore, i need to share the user_id value across multiple scenarios. Background doesn't work for me because that means i have to create a new user for each scenario. I have seen in the demo that a simple way would be to put all test under 1 scenario but i don't feel that it is right to put all tests on 1 scenario
I have reviewed the karate demo but i did not come across any sample code that will help my situation. May i know the right way to do this in Karate? Thanks.

Answer 1

I think you are missing the callonce keyword. Understand it and then look at the demos, for example, this one: callonce.feature.
You will need to move the 'common' code into a separate feature, but that is the right thing to do, because you will typically want it re-usable by multiple feature files as well.