Cortex CLI Need For Graceful Exit On Invalid List Parameters

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Hey guys! Today, we're diving into a situation where the Cortex CLI could use a little more finesse when handling invalid list parameters. Let's break down the issue and explore how we can make things smoother.

The Problem: A Not-So-Graceful Exit

So, I was working in my workspace and ran this command:

cortex workflows list --table -S Tag:asc

Now, the intention here was to list workflows in a table format, sorted in ascending order by tag. But, uh oh! Instead of a clean error message, I got this massive JSON dump truncated with a TypeError. Yikes!

<MANY LINES TRUNCATED due to full JSON dump showing up in output>
.
.
.
│ │ │ } │ │
│ │ │ { │ │
│ │ │ │ 'name': 'Whoami?', │ │
│ │ │ │ 'tag': 'whoami', │ │
│ │ │ │ 'description': 'My updated description. More update. More update.', │ │
│ │ │ │ 'isDraft': True, │ │
│ │ │ │ 'filter': {'type': 'GLOBAL'}, │ │
│ │ │ │ 'runResponseTemplate': None, │ │
│ │ │ │ 'failedRunResponseTemplate': None, │ │
│ │ │ │ 'restrictActionCompletionToRunnerUser': False, │ │
│ │ │ │ 'actions': [], │ │
│ │ │ │ 'runRestrictionPolicies': [], │ │
│ │ │ │ ... +2 │ │
│ │ │ } │ │
│ │ │ ... +51 │ │
│ │ ] │ │
│ ╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯ │
╰───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯
TypeError: '<' not supported between instances of 'NoneType' and 'NoneType'

The culprit? Tag with a capital "T." It turns out the correct column name is tag (lowercase). The CLI stumbled upon this invalid column name and instead of providing a user-friendly error, it barfed out a traceback. Not cool!

Diving Deeper: Why This Matters

Invalid list parameters can be a common mistake, especially when you're dealing with a CLI that has a lot of options. We, as users, might mistype a column name, use the wrong capitalization, or even try to sort by a field that doesn't exist. In these scenarios, a graceful exit is super important.

Instead of a cryptic TypeError, the CLI should be able to say something like: "Hey, 'Tag' isn't a valid column name. Did you mean 'tag'?" This kind of feedback is way more helpful and saves us from digging through stack traces.

Graceful error handling is essential for a smooth user experience. When a command fails, the CLI should provide clear, actionable feedback, guiding the user to correct their input. This not only prevents frustration but also makes the tool more accessible to users of all skill levels.

Think of it like this: imagine you're ordering a pizza online, and you accidentally type an invalid zip code. Would you rather see a generic "Error" message or a helpful message like, "Invalid zip code. Please enter a 5-digit zip code"? The latter is obviously much better, right? The same principle applies to CLIs.

How Can We Fix It?

The solution here is pretty straightforward: the CLI needs to validate the column names provided in the -S (sort) parameter. Before attempting to sort the data, it should check if the specified column exists and if the capitalization is correct.

If the column name is invalid, the CLI should:

  1. Display a clear error message: This message should explicitly state that the column name is invalid and, if possible, suggest the correct name.
  2. Avoid dumping the entire JSON output: Nobody wants to wade through pages of JSON to figure out what went wrong.
  3. Exit gracefully: The CLI should exit with a non-zero exit code to indicate that an error occurred.

By implementing these checks, we can prevent these nasty TypeErrors and provide a much better experience for users.

The Solution: Implementing Graceful Error Handling

To address this issue, the Cortex CLI needs to incorporate robust error handling for invalid list parameters. This involves a few key steps:

1. Input Validation is Key

The first line of defense is input validation. Before processing the cortex workflows list command, the CLI should meticulously check the provided -S parameter. This check should ensure that:

  • The specified column name (Tag in our case) is a valid column in the workflows list.
  • The capitalization matches the expected column name (tag instead of Tag).

This validation step acts as a gatekeeper, preventing invalid input from propagating further into the command execution.

2. Crafting User-Friendly Error Messages

When an invalid list parameters are detected, the CLI should respond with a clear and informative error message. This message should not only pinpoint the error but also guide the user towards a solution. For instance, instead of the cryptic TypeError, the CLI could display:

Error: Invalid column name 'Tag'. Did you mean 'tag'?

This message is concise, easy to understand, and provides a helpful suggestion, making it much easier for the user to correct their mistake.

3. Preventing JSON Dumps

A crucial aspect of graceful error handling is preventing the unnecessary display of raw JSON data. In the original scenario, the JSON dump cluttered the output and obscured the actual error. The CLI should be configured to suppress such dumps when an error occurs, ensuring a cleaner and more focused error reporting.

4. Graceful Exit with Non-Zero Exit Code

Finally, the CLI should exit gracefully with a non-zero exit code when an error is encountered. This is a standard practice in command-line tools, signaling to the calling environment that the command failed. This allows for proper error handling in scripts and automated workflows.

Example Implementation

Here's a conceptual example of how the error handling logic could be implemented in Python:

def list_workflows(sort_by):
 valid_columns = ['name', 'tag', 'description', ...]
 if sort_by and sort_by.split(':')[0] not in valid_columns:
 print(f"Error: Invalid column name '{sort_by.split(':')[0]}'. Valid columns are: {', '.join(valid_columns)}")
 exit(1)

 # ... rest of the listing logic ...

This snippet demonstrates how to validate the column name and display a user-friendly error message before exiting with a non-zero exit code.

The Benefits of a Graceful Exit

Implementing graceful error handling for invalid list parameters offers a multitude of benefits:

  • Improved User Experience: Clear error messages and guidance make the CLI more user-friendly, especially for beginners.
  • Reduced Frustration: Users can quickly identify and fix errors, minimizing frustration and wasted time.
  • Enhanced Productivity: Clear error reporting streamlines the troubleshooting process, allowing users to get back to work faster.
  • Increased Accessibility: A well-designed CLI with graceful error handling is more accessible to users of all skill levels.
  • Robust Automation: Non-zero exit codes enable proper error handling in scripts and automated workflows, ensuring reliable execution.

In conclusion, by incorporating these error handling mechanisms, the Cortex CLI can transform from a potentially frustrating tool into a reliable and user-friendly asset.

Let's Wrap It Up

The bottom line is, a CLI should be helpful, not cryptic. When we provide invalid list parameters, the CLI should catch the error and guide us toward the solution, not throw a tantrum with a JSON dump and a TypeError. By implementing proper validation and clear error messages, we can make the Cortex CLI a much more pleasant tool to use. So, let's push for these improvements and make our lives (and everyone else's) a little easier!

How do you guys feel about this? Have you encountered similar issues with other CLIs? Let's chat in the comments!