cardano-cli-doctor
When to use
- •Before generating CLI workflows to detect correct command style (era-prefixed vs legacy)
- •When debugging CLI flag errors or version mismatches
- •When setting up a new environment
Operating rules (must follow)
- •Never ask for or log secret key contents
- •Prefer read-only diagnostics (
--help,version,query tip) - •If air-gapped machine, avoid network commands unless explicitly requested
- •Output a Compat Report with recommended command style
Workflow
- •
Collect environment facts (auto-injected via context)
- •CLI version
- •Available era-prefixed commands (conway, latest)
- •Legacy flag presence (--babbage-era, etc.)
- •
Decide command style
- •
cardano-cli conway --helpworks → era-prefixed supported - •
--babbage-erain help → legacy flags supported - •Both exist → prefer era-prefixed (newer)
- •
- •
Network sanity (optional, if socket available)
- •
cardano-cli query tip --mainnetor--testnet-magic <N> - •Detect: missing socket, wrong magic, sync status
- •
- •
Produce Compat Report
codeCLI Version: X.Y.Z Era-prefixed: ✓ conway, latest Legacy flags: ✓ --babbage-era Recommended: era-prefixed (cardano-cli conway ...) Network: --testnet-magic 1 (preprod)
Examples
Example 1: Modern CLI (era-prefixed)
Input: User has cardano-cli 10.1.0
Output:
code
=== Cardano CLI Compatibility Report === CLI Version: 10.1.0.0 Git Rev: abc123 Supported Commands: ✓ cardano-cli conway --help (recommended) ✓ cardano-cli latest --help ✓ cardano-cli babbage --help Recommended Style: ERA-PREFIXED cardano-cli conway transaction build ... cardano-cli conway query utxo ... Network Flags: Mainnet: --mainnet Preprod: --testnet-magic 1 Preview: --testnet-magic 2
Example 2: Legacy CLI
Input: User has cardano-cli 8.x
Output:
code
=== Cardano CLI Compatibility Report === CLI Version: 8.24.0.0 Supported Commands: ✗ Era-prefixed not available Legacy Flags Detected: ✓ --babbage-era ✓ --alonzo-era Recommended Style: LEGACY FLAGS cardano-cli transaction build --babbage-era ...
Safety / key handling
- •Avoid commands that print or touch
.skeyfiles - •Recommend
chmod 600 *.skeyfor real funds - •Prefer offline keygen for mainnet
References
- •
shared/PRINCIPLES.md(repo) - •Cardano CLI documentation