Akka CLI Error 3.0.32: Fix 'akka Projects New -h'

Experiencing issues with the Akka CLI can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to start a new project. This article addresses a specific error encountered in Akka version 3.0.32 when using the akka projects new -h command. We'll break down the error, discuss potential causes, and explore troubleshooting steps to get you back on track.

Understanding the Error

The error message you're seeing indicates a panic within the Akka CLI, specifically a runtime error: invalid memory address or nil pointer dereference. This is a critical error that halts the program's execution. The stack trace provides valuable clues about where the error occurred:

panic: runtime error: invalid memory address or nil pointer dereference
[signal SIGSEGV: segmentation violation code=0x1 addr=0x80 pc=0x1c8ef6e]

goroutine 1 [running]:
github.com/lightbend/kalix/cli/internal/client.(*Client).newContext(0x10?)
        /home/circleci/project/cli/internal/client/client.go:195 +0xe
github.com/lightbend/kalix/cli/internal/client.(*Client).authedContext(0x0)
        /home/circleci/project/cli/internal/client/client.go:137 +0x18
github.com/lightbend/kalix/cli/internal/client.(*Client).ListOrganizations(0x0)
        /home/circleci/project/cli/internal/client/organization.go:35 +0x4b
main.refreshOrganizationCache()
        /home/circleci/project/cli/cmd/akka/settings.go:1015 +0x26
main.cachedOrganizationIDAndNameLookup({0xc00071a0f0, 0x24})
        /home/circleci/project/cli/cmd/akka/settings.go:958 +0xc5
main.RequiresOrganizationUsage.func1(0xc0006ffb08)
        /home/circleci/project/cli/cmd/akka/settings.go:532 +0xb3
main.RequiresOrganizationUsage.func2(0xc0006ffb08)
        /home/circleci/project/cli/cmd/akka/settings.go:552 +0x28
github.com/spf13/cobra.(*Command).Usage(0xc0006ffb08)
        /home/circleci/go/pkg/mod/github.com/spf13/cobra@v1.9.1/command.go:479 +0x25
github.com/spf13/cobra.(*Command).UsageString(0xc0006ffb08)
        /home/circleci/go/pkg/mod/github.com/spf13/cobra@v1.9.1/command.go:535 +0xaf
github.com/spf13/cobra.defaultHelpFunc({0x2c56940, 0xc0000d4040}, {0x2761e20?, 0xc0006ffb08})
        /home/circleci/go/pkg/mod/github.com/spf13/cobra@v1.9.1/command.go:2054 +0xed
github.com/spf13/cobra.(*Command).HelpFunc.func1(0xc0006ffb08, {0x42fdc10?, 0x2c56c40?, 0x42fdc10?})
        /home/circleci/go/pkg/mod/github.com/spf13/cobra@v1.9.1/command.go:496 +0x7e
github.com/spf13/cobra.(*Command).ExecuteC(0xc0007e6008)
        /home/circleci/go/pkg/mod/github.com/spf13/cobra@v1.9.1/command.go:1153 +0x68c
main.main()
        /home/circleci/project/cli/cmd/akka/main.go:51 +0x18

The core issue seems to be related to accessing a nil pointer when the CLI tries to fetch or create a context, potentially related to authentication or organization information. More specifically, the error occurs when trying to list organizations, which suggests an issue with the client's ability to connect to the Akka platform or retrieve necessary configuration details.

Potential Causes

Several factors could contribute to this error:

1. Authentication Issues: The CLI might not be properly authenticated. This could be due to expired credentials, incorrect configuration, or problems with the authentication server.
2. Configuration Problems: The CLI might be misconfigured, pointing to an incorrect server address or missing required settings.
3. Network Connectivity: The CLI might be unable to connect to the Akka platform due to network issues, firewall restrictions, or DNS resolution problems.
4. Bug in CLI Version: While less likely, there could be a bug in version 3.0.32 of the Akka CLI that causes this error under specific circumstances.
5. Missing Organization: An organization is required to create the Akka project.

Troubleshooting Steps

Here's a structured approach to troubleshooting this issue:

1. Check Akka CLI Installation:

   • Ensure the Akka CLI is correctly installed and accessible in your system's PATH. You should be able to run akka version and get a valid output.
   • If the CLI is not in your PATH, add it. The method for doing this depends on your operating system.

2. Verify Authentication:

   • Try logging in again using the akka auth login command. Follow the prompts to authenticate with your Akka account.
   • If you're already logged in, try logging out (akka auth logout) and then logging back in.
   • Confirm that your credentials are valid and haven't expired.

3. Inspect Akka CLI Configuration:

   • The Akka CLI stores its configuration in a file, typically located in your home directory (~/.config/akka/cli.json or similar). Examine this file to ensure it contains the correct settings for your Akka environment.
   • Look for any inconsistencies or errors in the configuration, such as incorrect server URLs or missing API keys.

4. Test Network Connectivity:

   • Verify that you have a stable internet connection.
   • Check if you can reach the Akka platform by pinging its domain name (if known) or using curl to make a simple HTTP request.
   • Ensure that no firewalls or proxies are blocking the CLI's access to the internet.

5. List Organizations:

   • Before attempting to create a new project, try listing available organizations using the command akka organizations list. This can help determine if the CLI can communicate with the Akka platform and retrieve organization data. If this command fails, it reinforces the suspicion of authentication or connectivity issues.

6. Check your Organization Region:

   • Make sure that your region is on the list by running the command akka regions list

7. Update Akka CLI (If Possible):

   • While you're encountering this issue with version 3.0.32, check if a newer version of the Akka CLI is available. Newer versions often include bug fixes and improvements that could resolve the problem. Use the appropriate package manager or installation method to update the CLI.

8. Review Project Name Requirements:

   • The error might not stem directly from the CLI's core functionality but from how the project name is being handled during the command execution. Double-check that the project name you're providing adheres to the specified rules:
     • Up to 63 characters long
     • Includes lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens (-)
     • Does not start or end with hyphens (-)
     • Cannot include underscores (_), spaces, or non-alphanumeric characters

9. Verbose Mode:

   • Run the command with verbose logging enabled (if the Akka CLI supports it). This might provide more detailed information about what's happening behind the scenes and help pinpoint the source of the error. Look for a --verbose or -v flag.

10. Contact Support:

    • If you've exhausted all other troubleshooting steps and are still unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to Akka support channels or community forums for assistance. Provide them with detailed information about the error message, your environment, and the steps you've taken to troubleshoot the problem.

Example Scenario and Solution

Let's say you've tried all the above steps and found that the issue was related to expired credentials. Here's how you might resolve it:

1. Run akka auth logout to log out of your Akka account.
2. Run akka auth login to log back in.
3. Follow the prompts to authenticate using your Akka account credentials.
4. After successful authentication, try running akka projects new -h again. The error should be resolved.

Conclusion

Encountering errors with CLI tools can be a hurdle, but by systematically investigating potential causes and applying appropriate troubleshooting steps, you can often resolve the issue. In the case of the akka projects new -h error in Akka CLI version 3.0.32, the most likely culprits are authentication problems, configuration issues, or network connectivity. By working through the steps outlined in this article, you should be well-equipped to diagnose and fix the problem, allowing you to create new Akka projects successfully.

For more information on Akka and its CLI, refer to the official Akka Documentation. Good luck!