gastownhall/beads · error

formula not accessible

Error message

formula %q not accessible: %w

What it means

verifyFormula confirms that a named formula exists and its variables validate before mol seed proceeds. If the lookup fails for any reason other than ErrVarValidation, it is wrapped as 'formula %q not accessible: %w' — the formula itself cannot be loaded (missing, unreadable, or a lower-level access error), as distinct from bad --var values.

Solutions

1. Run bd formula list (or the equivalent) to see available formula names and correct the spelling
2. Check that the formula exists in this repo/version; upgrade bd if the formula is newer
3. If loading from a file/path, verify the file exists and is readable
4. If the wrapped cause indicates permissions, fix file permissions or reinstall formulas

Example fix

// before: guessing at the name
bd mol seed --formula auth-flw
// after: verify first
bd formula list | grep auth
bd mol seed --formula auth-flow --var env=prod

// Verify the formula exists before mol seed
if !formulaExists(name) {
    return fmt.Errorf("unknown formula %q; run bd formula list", name)
}

func formulaAccessible(name string) bool {
    _, err := formula.Lookup(name)
    return err == nil
}

if err := verifyFormula(ctx, formulaName); err != nil {
    if errors.Is(err, formula.ErrVarValidation) {
        // bad --var values: fix the variables
    } else {
        // formula not accessible: fix the name/install
    }
    return err
}

When it happens

Trigger: bd mol seed --formula <name> where the formula name does not exist, the formula file/registry entry cannot be read, or the embedded formula table lacks the name. Explicitly NOT raised for invalid --var values (those pass through unwrapped).

Common situations: Typo in the formula name; running in a repo/directory where the formula is not installed; older bd version that predates the formula; formula deleted or renamed upstream.

Related errors

• branch: from is required
• branch: join is required
• branch: steps is required
• invalid variable format
• loop : invalid range

AI-assisted analysis of gastownhall/beads@71377f2769 (2026-08-30). Data as JSON: /api/errors/5f97f8f3cef62ae4. Report an issue: GitHub.

Appendix: source

Thrown at cmd/bd/mol_seed.go:87

	return nil
}

// verifyFormula checks if a formula can be loaded and cooked
func verifyFormula(formulaName string, vars map[string]string) error {
	// Try to cook the formula - this verifies:
	// 1. Formula exists in search path
	// 2. Formula syntax is valid
	// 3. Formula can be resolved (extends, etc.)
	// 4. Formula can be cooked to subgraph
	_, err := resolveAndCookFormulaWithVars(formulaName, nil, vars)
	if err != nil {
		if errors.Is(err, formula.ErrVarValidation) {
			// Don't double-wrap: the --var values fail enum/pattern/
			// required-empty constraints, which is a distinct condition
			// from the formula itself being inaccessible.
			return err
		}
		return fmt.Errorf("formula %q not accessible: %w", formulaName, err)
	}
	return nil
}

func init() {
	molSeedCmd.Flags().StringArray("var", []string{}, "Variable substitution for condition filtering (key=value)")
	molCmd.AddCommand(molSeedCmd)
}

View on GitHub (pinned to 71377f2769)