fix(api): Implicitly pre-home in opentrons.simulate.get_protocol_api() (

#13794)

api/src/opentrons/simulate.py

@@ -316,6 +316,11 @@ def get_protocol_api(
             extra_labware=extra_labware,
         )
 
+    # Intentional difference from execute.get_protocol_api():
+    # For the caller's convenience, we home the virtual hardware so they don't get MustHomeErrors.
+    # Since this hardware is virtual, there's no harm in commanding this "movement" implicitly.
+    context.home()
+
     return context
 
 

api/tests/opentrons/test_simulate.py

@@ -277,6 +277,17 @@ def test_jupyter_not_on_filesystem(
             simulate.simulate(protocol_file=protocol_filelike, file_name=file_name)
 
 
+def test_get_protocol_api_usable_without_homing(api_version: APIVersion) -> None:
+    """You should be able to move the simulated hardware without having to home explicitly.
+
+    https://opentrons.atlassian.net/browse/RQA-1801
+    """
+    protocol = simulate.get_protocol_api(api_version)
+    pipette = protocol.load_instrument("p300_single_gen2", mount="left")
+    tip_rack = protocol.load_labware("opentrons_96_tiprack_300ul", 1)
+    pipette.pick_up_tip(tip_rack["A1"])  # Should not raise.
+
+
 class TestGetProtocolAPILabware:
     """Tests for making sure get_protocol_api() handles extra labware correctly."""