Propagation of the Kerberos cache does not depend on file transfer, and its envisioned use (with AFS) assumes no file transfer.The starter will create the /var/lib/condor/execute/dir_XXXXX/scratch/ directory whether or not file transfer is enabled. If file transfer is not enabled, the directory should only have the kerberos cache and a few informational files (e.g. the machine and job ClassAds).
Thank you for the clarification: That's exactly how I thought things should be yet a 25.5.1 installed from official rpm on an Alma 9.7, doesn't even create the /var/lib/condor/execute/dir_XXXXX/ folder unless I have file transfer in the job's spec.
Where should I file a bug?