usestrix/strix · error · ValueError

Invalid target '{target}': {e}

Error message

Invalid target '{target}': {e}

What it means

Raised in target setup (strix/interface/scan_setup.py:116) when infer_target_type(target) rejects a target string with a ValueError; the original reason (bad URL, unresolvable path, unrecognized format) is re-raised with `from None` as a clean, user-facing message. This is the single funnel for validating CLI/-target-list entries before a scan is prepared.

Source

Thrown at strix/interface/scan_setup.py:116

def build_targets_info(args: argparse.Namespace) -> None:
    """Populate ``args.targets_info`` from target/target-list inputs.

    Raises :class:`ValueError` with a user-facing message on any bad input so
    callers can surface it via ``parser.error`` (CLI) or a console panel (home
    page).
    """
    args.targets_info = []
    targets = list(args.target or [])
    for target_list_path in args.target_list or []:
        targets.extend(read_target_list_file(target_list_path))

    for target in targets:
        try:
            target_type, target_dict = infer_target_type(target)
        except ValueError as e:
            raise ValueError(f"Invalid target '{target}': {e}") from None

        if target_type == "local_code":
            display_target = target_dict.get("target_path", target)
        else:
            display_target = target

        if target_type == "api_spec":
            _resolve_api_spec(target, target_dict)

        args.targets_info.append(
            {"type": target_type, "details": target_dict, "original": display_target}
        )

    args.targets_info = dedupe_local_targets(args.targets_info)

    assign_workspace_subdirs(args.targets_info)
    rewrite_localhost_targets(args.targets_info, HOST_GATEWAY_HOSTNAME)

View on GitHub (pinned to 8551339130)

Solutions

1. Read the wrapped reason in the message — it states exactly why infer_target_type rejected the string — and correct the target (fix scheme, hostname, or path).
2. For file paths, confirm the path exists and is readable from where strix runs; use absolute paths.
3. For target lists, inspect the file for stray lines/encoding issues (each line goes through the same validation).
4. Test quickly: `strix -t '<target>' --dry-run`-equivalent setup or call infer_target_type directly to iterate fast.

Example fix

# before
$ strix -n -t 'htp://example.com'   # Invalid target

# after
$ strix -n -t 'https://example.com'

from strix.utilities.target_inference import infer_target_type  # module path per repo layout
for t in targets:
    try:
        infer_target_type(t)
    except ValueError as e:
        print(f'reject target early: {t} ({e})')

def is_valid_target(target: str) -> bool:
    try:
        infer_target_type(target)
    except ValueError:
        return False
    return True

from strix.interface.scan_setup import collect_targets_info  # setup funnel
try:
    collect_targets_info(args)
except ValueError as exc:
    parser.error(str(exc))  # argparse prints usage + message, exits 2

When it happens

Trigger: Passing -t with a malformed URL (e.g. 'htp:/example', missing host), a local_code path that does not exist, or a string matching no supported target grammar; or a --target-list file containing such lines (they are extended into the same loop).

Common situations: Typos in URLs/paths; forgetting the scheme (http(s):// vs bare host rules of the inferencer); target-list files with trailing junk, comments, or Windows paths; referencing directories that were moved/deleted.

Related errors

• extra_system_prompt_context cannot override built-in scope k
• No target set. Add a target first.
• Unsupported scope mode: {scope_mode}
• Target must be a non-empty string
• Invalid target: {target} Target must be one of: - A valid UR

AI-assisted analysis of usestrix/strix@8551339130 (2026-08-15). Data as JSON: /api/errors/70e4d7728c4d3be3. Report an issue: GitHub.