The "equip" command uses InventoryManager.retrieveItem to fetch things. That uses storage (if available and you are out of Ronin), the closet (if you have that preference set), the clan stash (if you have that preference set), the mall (if you have that preference set). It will attempt to craft the item, before buying one, unless you have a "buy script" that says not to do so.
Note that I listed three preferences there:
- The "use items from closet" preference is off by default and is a checkbox in the Creatable panel of the Item Manager
- The "use items from stash" preference is off by default and is a checkbox in the General panel of Preferences
- The "buy items from mall" preference is off by default and is a checkbox in the General panel of Preferences
There is no preference to allow access to the Display Case. No cli command - including eat, equip, or maximize - will pull items from the Display Case. Neither will the Modifier Maximizer GUI.
Given all that, I am unable to reproduce your report. Here is gCLI output showing various equip commands. I have "buy from mall" turned off. I put an item in the closet, twice, and tried using it. The first time, I had "use closet" turned on, and it pulled it from the closet. The second time, I had "use closet" turned off, and it did not.
> equip battered hubcap
Pulling items from storage...
Holding battered hubcap...
Equipment changed.
> unequip battered hubcap
Taking off battered hubcap...
Equipment changed.
> closet put battered hubcap
Placing items into closet...
Requests complete.
> equip battered hubcap
Removing items from closet...
Holding battered hubcap...
Equipment changed.
> unequip battered hubcap
Taking off battered hubcap...
Equipment changed.
> closet put battered hubcap
Placing items into closet...
Requests complete.
> equip battered hubcap
You need 1 more battered hubcap to continue.