Add supported-chains cmd & Improve Error Messages

cmd/common/compile.go

@@ -28,7 +28,16 @@ func getBuildCmd(workflowRootFolder, mainFile, language string, stripSymbols boo
 		return func() ([]byte, error) {
 			out, err := cmd.CombinedOutput()
 			if err != nil {
-				return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w\nbuild output:\n%s", err, strings.TrimSpace(string(out)))
+				outStr := strings.TrimSpace(string(out))
+				if strings.Contains(outStr, "Script not found") && strings.Contains(outStr, "cre-compile") {
+					return nil, fmt.Errorf("TypeScript compilation failed: 'cre-compile' command not found.\n\n" +
+						"The 'cre-compile' tool is provided by the @chainlink/cre-sdk package.\n\n" +
+						"To fix:\n" +
+						"  • Run 'bun install' in your project to install dependencies\n" +
+						"  • Update your project dependencies with 'cre update <workflow-folder>'\n" +
+						"  • If starting fresh, use 'cre workflow init' to scaffold a properly configured workflow")
+				}
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w\nbuild output:\n%s", err, outStr)
 			}
 			b, err := os.ReadFile(tmpPath)
 			_ = os.Remove(tmpPath)

cmd/root.go

@@ -432,32 +432,33 @@ func newRootCommand() *cobra.Command {
 func isLoadSettings(cmd *cobra.Command) bool {
 	// It is not expected to have the settings file when running the following commands
 	var excludedCommands = map[string]struct{}{
-		"cre version":                {},
-		"cre login":                  {},
-		"cre logout":                 {},
-		"cre whoami":                 {},
-		"cre account access":         {},
-		"cre account list-key":       {},
-		"cre init":                   {},
-		"cre generate-bindings":      {},
-		"cre completion bash":        {},
-		"cre completion fish":        {},
-		"cre completion powershell":  {},
-		"cre completion zsh":         {},
-		"cre help":                   {},
-		"cre update":                 {},
-		"cre workflow":               {},
-		"cre workflow custom-build":  {},
-		"cre workflow limits":        {},
-		"cre workflow limits export": {},
-		"cre workflow build":         {},
-		"cre account":                {},
-		"cre secrets":                {},
-		"cre templates":              {},
-		"cre templates list":         {},
-		"cre templates add":          {},
-		"cre templates remove":       {},
-		"cre":                        {},
+		"cre version":                   {},
+		"cre login":                     {},
+		"cre logout":                    {},
+		"cre whoami":                    {},
+		"cre account access":            {},
+		"cre account list-key":          {},
+		"cre init":                      {},
+		"cre generate-bindings":         {},
+		"cre completion bash":           {},
+		"cre completion fish":           {},
+		"cre completion powershell":     {},
+		"cre completion zsh":            {},
+		"cre help":                      {},
+		"cre update":                    {},
+		"cre workflow":                  {},
+		"cre workflow supported-chains": {},
+		"cre workflow custom-build":     {},
+		"cre workflow limits":           {},
+		"cre workflow limits export":    {},
+		"cre workflow build":            {},
+		"cre account":                   {},
+		"cre secrets":                   {},
+		"cre templates":                 {},
+		"cre templates list":            {},
+		"cre templates add":             {},
+		"cre templates remove":          {},
+		"cre":                           {},
 	}
 
 	_, exists := excludedCommands[cmd.CommandPath()]

cmd/workflow/simulate/simulate.go

@@ -207,14 +207,41 @@ func (h *handler) ResolveInputs(v *viper.Viper, creSettings *settings.Settings)
 	}
 
 	if len(clients) == 0 {
-		return Inputs{}, fmt.Errorf("no RPC URLs found for supported or experimental chains")
+		target, _ := settings.GetTarget(v)
+		if target == "" {
+			target = "(none)"
+		}
+		return Inputs{}, fmt.Errorf(
+			"no RPC URLs found for target %q\n\n"+
+				"To fix:\n"+
+				"  • Check that your workflow.yaml has an 'rpcs' section under the target %q\n"+
+				"  • Ensure chain names are valid (run 'cre workflow supported-chains' to see all supported names)\n"+
+				"  • Verify the correct target is selected via --target or CRE_TARGET",
+			target, target,
+		)
 	}
 
 	pk, err := crypto.HexToECDSA(creSettings.User.EthPrivateKey)
 	if err != nil {
+		// If the user explicitly set a key that looks like a hex string but is
+		// malformed (wrong length, invalid chars), always error with guidance.
+		// Skip placeholder values like "your-eth-private-key" from the default .env template.
+		if creSettings.User.EthPrivateKey != "" && isHexString(creSettings.User.EthPrivateKey) {
+			return Inputs{}, fmt.Errorf(
+				"invalid private key: expected 64 hex characters (256 bits), got %d characters.\n\n"+
+					"The CLI reads CRE_ETH_PRIVATE_KEY from your .env file or system environment.\n"+
+					"The 0x prefix is supported and stripped automatically.\n\n"+
+					"Common issues:\n"+
+					"  • Pasted an Ethereum address (40 chars) instead of a private key (64 chars)\n"+
+					"  • Value has extra quotes — use CRE_ETH_PRIVATE_KEY=abc123... without wrapping quotes\n"+
+					"  • Key was truncated during copy-paste",
+				len(creSettings.User.EthPrivateKey))
+		}
+		// Key not set or placeholder — require it for broadcast, otherwise use default for simulation
 		if v.GetBool("broadcast") {
 			return Inputs{}, fmt.Errorf(
-				"failed to parse private key, required to broadcast. Please check CRE_ETH_PRIVATE_KEY in your .env file or system environment: %w", err)
+				"a private key is required for --broadcast mode.\n" +
+					"Set CRE_ETH_PRIVATE_KEY in your .env file or system environment")
 		}
 		pk, err = crypto.HexToECDSA("0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001")
 		if err != nil {
@@ -1140,3 +1167,13 @@ func getEVMTriggerLogFromValues(ctx context.Context, ethClient *ethclient.Client
 	}
 	return pbLog, nil
 }
+
+// isHexString returns true if s contains only hexadecimal characters (0-9, a-f, A-F).
+func isHexString(s string) bool {
+	for _, c := range s {
+		if (c < '0' || c > '9') && (c < 'a' || c > 'f') && (c < 'A' || c > 'F') {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+	return len(s) > 0
+}

cmd/workflow/simulate/simulator_utils.go

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"net/url"
 	"regexp"
+	"sort"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
@@ -27,6 +28,21 @@ type ChainConfig struct {
 	Forwarder string
 }
 
+// SupportedChainNames returns the human-readable names of all supported EVM chains,
+// sorted alphabetically.
+func SupportedChainNames() []string {
+	var names []string
+	for _, chain := range SupportedEVM {
+		name, err := settings.GetChainNameByChainSelector(chain.Selector)
+		if err != nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		names = append(names, name)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(names)
+	return names
+}
+
 // SupportedEVM is the canonical list you can range over.
 var SupportedEVM = []ChainConfig{
 	// Ethereum
@@ -185,7 +201,7 @@ func redactURL(rawURL string) string {
 // experimentalForwarders keys identify experimental chains (not in chain-selectors).
 func runRPCHealthCheck(clients map[uint64]*ethclient.Client, experimentalForwarders map[uint64]common.Address) error {
 	if len(clients) == 0 {
-		return fmt.Errorf("check your settings: no RPC URLs found for supported or experimental chains")
+		return fmt.Errorf("no RPC URLs found for supported or experimental chains. Run 'cre workflow supported-chains' to see all supported chain names")
 	}
 
 	var errs []error

cmd/workflow/simulate/utils_test.go

@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ func TestHealthCheck_NoClientsConfigured(t *testing.T) {
 	if err == nil {
 		t.Fatalf("expected error for no clients configured")
 	}
-	mustContain(t, err.Error(), "check your settings: no RPC URLs found for supported or experimental chains")
+	mustContain(t, err.Error(), "no RPC URLs found for supported or experimental chains")
 }
 
 func TestHealthCheck_NilClient(t *testing.T) {

cmd/workflow/workflow.go

@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package workflow
 
 import (
+	"fmt"
+
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 
 	"github.com/smartcontractkit/cre-cli/cmd/workflow/activate"
@@ -23,6 +25,21 @@ func New(runtimeContext *runtime.Context) *cobra.Command {
 		Long:  `The workflow command allows you to register and manage existing workflows.`,
 	}
 
+	supportedChainsCmd := &cobra.Command{
+		Use:   "supported-chains",
+		Short: "List all supported chain names",
+		Args:  cobra.NoArgs,
+		RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+			names := simulate.SupportedChainNames()
+			fmt.Println("Supported chain names:")
+			for _, name := range names {
+				fmt.Printf("  %s\n", name)
+			}
+			return nil
+		},
+	}
+
+	workflowCmd.AddCommand(supportedChainsCmd)
 	workflowCmd.AddCommand(activate.New(runtimeContext))
 	workflowCmd.AddCommand(build.New(runtimeContext))
 	workflowCmd.AddCommand(convert.New(runtimeContext))

docs/cre_workflow.md

@@ -38,4 +38,5 @@ cre workflow [optional flags]
 * [cre workflow limits](cre_workflow_limits.md)	 - Manage simulation limits
 * [cre workflow pause](cre_workflow_pause.md)	 - Pauses workflow on the Workflow Registry contract
 * [cre workflow simulate](cre_workflow_simulate.md)	 - Simulates a workflow
+* [cre workflow supported-chains](cre_workflow_supported-chains.md)	 - List all supported chain names
 

docs/cre_workflow_supported-chains.md

@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+## cre workflow supported-chains
+
+List all supported chain names
+
+```
+cre workflow supported-chains [optional flags]
+```
+
+### Options
+
+```
+  -h, --help   help for supported-chains
+```
+
+### Options inherited from parent commands
+
+```
+  -e, --env string            Path to .env file which contains sensitive info
+  -R, --project-root string   Path to the project root
+  -E, --public-env string     Path to .env.public file which contains shared, non-sensitive build config
+  -T, --target string         Use target settings from YAML config
+  -v, --verbose               Run command in VERBOSE mode
+```
+
+### SEE ALSO
+
+* [cre workflow](cre_workflow.md)	 - Manages workflows
+

internal/context/project_context.go

@@ -77,7 +77,14 @@ func SetProjectContext(projectPath string) error {
 		}
 
 		if !found {
-			return fmt.Errorf("no project settings file found in current directory or parent directories")
+			return fmt.Errorf(
+				"no CRE project found (could not locate '%s' in '%s' or any parent directory)\n\n"+
+					"To fix:\n"+
+					"  • Run this command from inside a CRE project directory\n"+
+					"  • Or run 'cre init' to create a new project here\n"+
+					"  • Or use '--%s <path>' to specify the project location",
+				constants.DefaultProjectSettingsFileName, cwd, "project-root",
+			)
 		}
 
 		// Get the directory containing the project settings file (this is the project root)

internal/context/project_context_test.go

@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ func TestSetProjectContext(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			projectPath:   "", // Empty path should trigger search
 			expectError:   true,
-			errorContains: "no project settings file found",
+			errorContains: "no CRE project found",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "fails when project path doesn't exist",

internal/ethkeys/keys.go

@@ -10,7 +10,16 @@ import (
 func DeriveEthAddressFromPrivateKey(privateKeyHex string) (string, error) {
 	privateKey, err := crypto.HexToECDSA(privateKeyHex)
 	if err != nil {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to parse private key. Please check CRE_ETH_PRIVATE_KEY in your .env file or system environment: %w", err)
+		return "", fmt.Errorf(
+			"invalid private key: expected 64 hex characters (256 bits), got %d characters.\n\n"+
+				"The CLI reads CRE_ETH_PRIVATE_KEY from your .env file or system environment.\n"+
+				"The 0x prefix is supported and stripped automatically.\n\n"+
+				"Common issues:\n"+
+				"  • Pasted an Ethereum address (40 chars) instead of a private key (64 chars)\n"+
+				"  • Value has extra quotes — use CRE_ETH_PRIVATE_KEY=abc123... without wrapping quotes\n"+
+				"  • Key was truncated during copy-paste",
+			len(privateKeyHex),
+		)
 	}
 
 	publicKey := privateKey.Public()

internal/ethkeys/keys_test.go

@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ func TestDeriveEthAddressFromPrivateKey_InvalidInput(t *testing.T) {
 				t.Fatalf("expected error, got nil (addr=%q)", addr)
 			}
 
-			if !strings.Contains(strings.ToLower(err.Error()), "failed to parse private key") {
+			if !strings.Contains(strings.ToLower(err.Error()), "invalid private key") {
 				t.Fatalf("unexpected error message: %v", err)
 			}
 		})

internal/settings/settings_get.go

@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ func GetChainNameByChainSelector(chainSelector uint64) (string, error) {
 func GetChainSelectorByChainName(name string) (uint64, error) {
 	chainID, err := chainSelectors.ChainIdFromName(name)
 	if err != nil {
-		return 0, fmt.Errorf("failed to get chain ID from name %q: %w", name, err)
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("failed to get chain ID from name %q: %w\n  Run 'cre workflow supported-chains' to see all valid chain names", name, err)
 	}
 
 	selector, err := chainSelectors.SelectorFromChainId(chainID)

internal/settings/settings_load.go

@@ -103,7 +103,15 @@ func LoadSettingsIntoViper(v *viper.Viper, cmd *cobra.Command) error {
 	if context.IsWorkflowCommand(cmd) {
 		// Step 2: Load workflow settings next (overwrites values from project settings)
 		if err := mergeConfigToViper(v, constants.DefaultWorkflowSettingsFileName); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("failed to load workflow settings: %w", err)
+			cwd, _ := os.Getwd()
+			return fmt.Errorf(
+				"workflow settings file not found: no '%s' in '%s'\n\n"+
+					"To fix:\n"+
+					"  • Run 'cre workflow init' to create a properly initialized workflow\n"+
+					"  • If this workflow was manually created, add a %s with your target configuration\n"+
+					"  • Check that the workflow folder path argument is correct",
+				constants.DefaultWorkflowSettingsFileName, cwd, constants.DefaultWorkflowSettingsFileName,
+			)
 		}
 	}