`test` command gives unhelpful error message if extension file is not executable
Metadata
Current evaluation
The `test` command lacks a preflight executable check for `spread/.extension`, causing allocation retries and a misleading empty-ADDRESS error.
Suggested action: keep open
Reason: The maintainer-authored issue has a Type: Bug label, a two-command reproducer, and a complete log showing the misleading allocation failure. The current backend configuration directly invokes `./spread/.extension` without checking its executable bit, so a focused permission preflight and regression test would address the defect.
Evaluated by: mr-cal-bot
Impact:
34
Quick Win:
24
Complexity:
23
Confidence:
96
Actionability:
91
Issue body
### Bug Description
If the `spread/.extension` file in a project is not marked as executable, the `test` command fails with an unhelpful message.
### To Reproduce
1. Clone a repository with working tests
2. `chmod -x spread/.extension`
3. Run the tests
### part yaml
```shell
```
### Relevant log output
```shell
2025-07-29 20:49:59.917 Processing spread.yaml.
2025-07-29 20:49:59.920 Running spread tests.
2025-07-29 20:49:59.920 Running spread as: /snap/charmcraft/x6/libexec/charmcraft/craft.spread craft
2025-07-29 20:49:59.920 Running spread tests
2025-07-29 20:49:59.970 :: 2025-07-29 20:49:59 Project content is packed for delivery (1.15MB).
2025-07-29 20:49:59.971 :: 2025-07-29 20:49:59 If killed, discard servers with: spread -reuse-pid=64171 -discard
2025-07-29 20:49:59.971 :: 2025-07-29 20:49:59 Allocating craft:ubuntu-24.04...
2025-07-29 20:49:59.976 :: 2025-07-29 20:49:59 Cannot allocate craft:ubuntu-24.04: backend "craft" allocate must print ADDRESS=<SSH address> to stdout, got: ""
2025-07-29 20:50:14.975 :: 2025-07-29 20:50:14 Cannot allocate craft:ubuntu-24.04: backend "craft" allocate must print ADDRESS=<SSH address> to stdout, got: ""
2025-07-29 20:50:29.971 :: 2025-07-29 20:50:29 Cannot allocate craft:ubuntu-24.04: backend "craft" allocate must print ADDRESS=<SSH address> to stdout, got: ""
^C2025-07-29 20:50:37.599 :: 2025-07-29 20:50:37 Successful tasks: 0
2025-07-29 20:50:37.599 :: 2025-07-29 20:50:37 Aborted tasks: 1
2025-07-29 20:50:37.599 :: error: unsuccessful run
```
Evaluation history
| Date | Model | Scores | Action | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| stealth/space-bunny-alpha |
Impact:
34
Quick Win:
24
Complexity:
23
Confidence:
96
Actionability:
91
|
keep open | The `test` command lacks a preflight executable check for `spread/.extension`, causing allocation retries and a misleading empty-ADDRESS error. | |
| stealth/space-bunny-alpha |
Impact:
35
Quick Win:
20
Complexity:
30
Confidence:
92
Actionability:
82
|
keep open | The `test` command invokes `spread/.extension` directly; removing its executable bit makes Spread report a misleading missing `ADDRESS` error instead of identifying the permission problem. The bug remains reproducible and unresolved. | |
| stealth/space-bunny-alpha |
Impact:
34
Quick Win:
24
Complexity:
24
Confidence:
94
Actionability:
91
|
keep open | Removing execute permission from spread/.extension causes the test command to retry allocation and report an unrelated empty SSH address error; the valid bug remains open. | |
| qwen/qwen3.6-35b-a3b |
Impact:
30
Quick Win:
19
Complexity:
20
Confidence:
70
Actionability:
80
|
keep open | The `test` command gives a confusing error about ADDRESS=<SSH address> when spread/.extension lacks executable permissions. Clear reproduction steps provided, no maintainer response yet. | |
| qwen/qwen3.8-27b |
Impact:
35
Quick Win:
28
Staleness:
75
Complexity:
20
Confidence:
78
Support Request:
5
|
needs triage | test command fails with a confusing 'backend craft allocate must print ADDRESS' error when spread/.extension lacks the executable bit; open, unlabelled beyond Type: Bug, no comments or fix found in current code. | |
| qwen/qwen3.6-35b-a3b |
Staleness:
95
Complexity:
20
Confidence:
85
Support Request:
10
|
close stale | Bug report: `test` command fails with unhelpful error when `spread/.extension` lacks executable permissions. Issue is 356 days old, no maintainer interaction, and appears resolved or irrelevant in current versions. | |
| qwen3.6-35b-a3b-mtp-q6 |
Staleness:
85
Complexity:
20
Confidence:
75
Support Request:
0
|
needs triage | Bug report detailing an unhelpful error message when spread/.extension lacks executable permissions. Open for over a year with no maintainer comments or triage. |
Update history
No update history recorded yet.
Related issues
| Issue | Project | State | Summary | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1033 `test` command provides unhelpful output or failure | craft-application | open | `test` still reports only “Testing failed.” for failed spread runs in brief mode; the issue is triaged but lacks a concrete reproduction or expected diagnostic. |