NationalSecurityAgency/ghidra · error · RuntimeError

Invalid argument: {key_list[0]}

Error message

Invalid argument: {key_list[0]}

What it means

Raised by ghidra_trace_retain_values (commands.py:753-754) when the first token of the keys argument starts with '--' but is not one of the recognized switches (--elements, --attributes, --both). The command splits keys on spaces and inspects only key_list[0] for a switch; an unknown switch is rejected before retain_values is called.

Source

Thrown at Ghidra/Debug/Debugger-agent-x64dbg/src/main/py/src/ghidraxdbg/commands.py:754

    switch, then the switch is required. Only the first argument is taken as the
    switch. All others are taken as keys.
    """

    key_list = keys.split(" ")

    trace, tx = STATE.require_tx()
    kinds = 'elements'
    if key_list[0] == '--elements':
        kinds = 'elements'
        key_list = key_list[1:]
    elif key_list[0] == '--attributes':
        kinds = 'attributes'
        key_list = key_list[1:]
    elif key_list[0] == '--both':
        kinds = 'both'
        key_list = key_list[1:]
    elif key_list[0].startswith('--'):
        raise RuntimeError("Invalid argument: " + key_list[0])
    trace.proxy_object_path(path).retain_values(key_list, kinds=kinds)


def ghidra_trace_get_obj(path: str) -> None:
    """Get an object descriptor by its canonical path.

    This isn't the most informative, but it will at least confirm
    whether an object exists and provide its id.
    """

    trace = STATE.require_trace()
    object = trace.get_object(path)
    print(f"{object.id}\t{object.path}")


def ghidra_trace_get_values(pattern: str) -> None:
    """List all values matching a given path pattern."""

View on GitHub (pinned to d5f144c24d)

Solutions

1. Use one of the valid switches: --elements, --attributes, --both, or omit the switch entirely (defaults to elements).
2. If a key legitimately starts with '--', you must still pass a valid switch first (the docstring notes the switch is required in that case).
3. Check for typos in the switch name against the command docstring.

Example fix

// before
ghidra_trace_retain_values(path, '--all [0] [1]')

// after
ghidra_trace_retain_values(path, '--both [0] [1]')

VALID_SWITCHES = {'--elements', '--attributes', '--both'}
def retain(path, keys):
    first = keys.split(' ', 1)[0]
    if first.startswith('--') and first not in VALID_SWITCHES:
        raise ValueError(f'Unknown switch {first}; valid: {sorted(VALID_SWITCHES)}')
    ghidra_trace_retain_values(path, keys)

def switch_is_valid(keys: str) -> bool:
    first = keys.split(' ', 1)[0]
    return not first.startswith('--') or first in {'--elements', '--attributes', '--both'}

try:
    ghidra_trace_retain_values(path, keys)
except RuntimeError as e:
    if 'Invalid argument' in str(e):
        # drop the bad switch and retry with default (elements)
        ghidra_trace_retain_values(path, keys.split(' ', 1)[1] if ' ' in keys else '')
    else:
        raise

When it happens

Trigger: Calling the retain-values command with an unrecognized leading switch, e.g. keys='--all [0] [1]' or '--elems'. The first token begins with '--' and matches no case.

Common situations: Typing a switch name from memory (--all, --values) that does not exist; an older/newer agent version with different switch names; a script that interpolates an unintended '--' prefix into the keys.

Related errors

• 'ghidra_trace_connect': missing required argument 'address'
• Usage: ghidra trace retain-values [OPTIONS] PATH [KEYS...]
• Transaction already started
• address must be in the form 'host:port'
• port must be numeric

AI-assisted analysis of NationalSecurityAgency/ghidra@d5f144c24d (2026-08-14). Data as JSON: /api/errors/b75fcf265d85667b. Report an issue: GitHub.