Windows Smoke Tests Failing In CI: Oxc-project Discussion

Oct 30, 2025 by SLV Team 58 views

Hey everyone! We've got a bit of a situation on our hands with the oxc-project, and I wanted to bring it to your attention so we can brainstorm some solutions together. Recently, our smoke tests on Windows have started failing in the CI (Continuous Integration) environment. This is definitely something we need to address quickly to ensure our project's stability and reliability. Let's dive into the details and figure out the best way forward.

The Issue: '$OXFMT_VERSION' Not Being Set

The core problem seems to be that the variable '$OXFMT_VERSION' cannot be retrieved during the Windows smoke tests because it hasn't been set. This is causing our tests to fail, and we need to understand why this is happening and how to fix it. To give you a clearer picture, here are the links to the failing test runs:

It's a bit puzzling because this issue seems to have popped up out of the blue. Nothing immediately obvious has changed in our configurations, so we need to dig a little deeper to uncover the root cause. Could it be an environment issue, a change in the testing environment, or something else entirely? Let's put on our detective hats and get to the bottom of this!

Understanding the Importance of Smoke Tests

Before we delve into potential solutions, it's crucial to understand why smoke tests are so vital in the first place. Smoke tests are a basic set of tests run after each build or deployment to ensure that the most critical functionalities of the system are working as expected. Think of them as a quick health check for your application. They're designed to catch major issues early on, preventing them from slipping into production and causing bigger headaches down the line.

In our case, if the '$OXFMT_VERSION' variable isn't being set correctly, it suggests a fundamental problem with our environment setup. This could affect various parts of the system, making it essential to address the issue promptly. Failing smoke tests are like a red flag, signaling that something is seriously amiss and needs immediate attention. Ignoring them can lead to more significant problems down the road, so let's make sure we resolve this effectively.

Potential Causes and Troubleshooting Steps

To get started, let's brainstorm some potential causes for this issue. Here are a few things that come to mind:

Environment Variables Not Being Set Correctly: The most obvious culprit is that the '$OXFMT_VERSION' variable isn't being set in the Windows environment where the tests are running. This could be due to a misconfiguration in the CI environment or a change in how environment variables are handled.
PowerShell Scripting Issues: Windows uses PowerShell, which handles variables and scripting differently than bash (the shell commonly used on Unix-like systems). There might be a compatibility issue in our scripts that's causing the variable to be misinterpreted or not set at all.
CI Workflow Configuration: There might be a problem in our CI workflow configuration. For example, the step that's supposed to set the '$OXFMT_VERSION' variable might be failing, or the variable might not be accessible in the subsequent steps.
Dependencies or Tooling Issues: It's also possible that there's an issue with one of our dependencies or tooling that's interfering with the variable setting process. This is less likely, but we shouldn't rule it out without investigation.

To troubleshoot this, we should start by:

Checking the CI Logs: Dive into the CI logs for the failing test runs. Look for any error messages or warnings related to variable setting or environment configuration. These logs can often provide valuable clues about what's going wrong.
Verifying Environment Variable Configuration: Make sure the '$OXFMT_VERSION' variable is correctly defined in our CI environment settings. Double-check the spelling and syntax to avoid any typos or mistakes.
Testing the Variable Setting Script: Isolate the part of our script that's responsible for setting the '$OXFMT_VERSION' variable and run it manually in a Windows environment. This will help us determine if the issue is with the script itself or with the broader environment.

Proposed Solutions: Standardize or Modify?

Now that we understand the problem a bit better, let's talk about potential solutions. As mentioned earlier, there are a couple of main approaches we could take:

Standardize the Execution Environment to Bash: This option involves making bash the standard shell environment for our CI runs, regardless of the operating system. This could simplify our scripting and reduce compatibility issues between different platforms.
Modify the Workflow to Use env:XXX for Windows PowerShell: This approach focuses on adapting our workflow to work correctly with PowerShell's syntax and variable handling. We would modify our scripts to use the env:XXX syntax when accessing environment variables in PowerShell.

Let's delve into each of these options in more detail.

Option 1: Standardize to Bash

Standardizing the execution environment to bash has several potential benefits. First and foremost, it simplifies our scripting process. Bash is a widely used shell with a consistent syntax across different operating systems. By using bash as our standard, we can write scripts that work seamlessly on Linux, macOS, and Windows (with the help of tools like Git Bash or WSL – Windows Subsystem for Linux).

This approach also reduces the risk of platform-specific issues. PowerShell, while powerful, has a different syntax and variable handling mechanism compared to bash. This can lead to subtle bugs and inconsistencies when running the same scripts on different platforms. By standardizing on bash, we eliminate this source of potential problems.

However, there are also some drawbacks to consider. Standardizing to bash might require us to modify our existing scripts to ensure they're compatible with the bash syntax. It also means that we'll need to ensure that bash is available in our CI environment on Windows, which might involve installing additional tools or configuring the environment accordingly. The learning curve for team members less familiar with bash could also be a consideration.

Option 2: Modify the Workflow for PowerShell

Alternatively, we could modify our workflow to work seamlessly with PowerShell. This involves understanding PowerShell's syntax and variable handling and adapting our scripts accordingly. Specifically, we would need to use the env:XXX syntax when accessing environment variables in PowerShell.

This approach has the advantage of being more native to the Windows environment. PowerShell is the default scripting language on Windows, and by embracing it, we can take advantage of its features and capabilities. It also avoids the need to install additional tools or modify the environment to support bash.

However, this approach can be more complex in the short term. It requires a deeper understanding of PowerShell's syntax and variable handling, which might be a learning curve for some team members. It also means that we'll need to maintain separate scripts or script sections for PowerShell and other platforms, which can increase the complexity of our codebase.

Making the Right Choice: A Balanced Approach

So, which option is the best? The answer, as is often the case, depends on our specific priorities and constraints. If our primary goal is to simplify scripting and reduce platform-specific issues, standardizing to bash might be the better choice. This approach can lead to a more consistent and maintainable codebase in the long run.

On the other hand, if we want to embrace the native Windows environment and avoid the need for additional tools, modifying the workflow for PowerShell might be the way to go. This approach can be more efficient in the short term, but it might require more effort to maintain compatibility across different platforms.

Perhaps the best approach is a balanced one. We could start by modifying the workflow for PowerShell to address the immediate issue with the '$OXFMT_VERSION' variable. This would allow us to get our smoke tests running again quickly. In the longer term, we could explore the possibility of standardizing to bash, gradually migrating our scripts and workflows as needed.

Next Steps: Let's Get This Fixed!

Alright guys, we've covered a lot of ground here. We've identified the issue, explored potential causes, and discussed possible solutions. Now it's time to take action and get this fixed!

Here are some concrete steps we can take:

Investigate the CI Logs: As mentioned earlier, let's dive into the CI logs for the failing test runs. This is our first line of defense in understanding what's going wrong. Look for any error messages, warnings, or clues about the variable setting process.
Experiment with PowerShell Syntax: Let's try modifying our scripts to use the env:XXX syntax when accessing the '$OXFMT_VERSION' variable in PowerShell. This is a relatively quick change that could potentially resolve the issue.
Test in a Local Windows Environment: If possible, let's try running the failing tests in a local Windows environment. This will allow us to isolate the problem and debug it more effectively.
Discuss and Collaborate: Let's keep the discussion going and collaborate on finding the best solution. Share your findings, ideas, and insights with the team. The more brains we have working on this, the better!

By working together and taking a systematic approach, I'm confident that we can resolve this issue and get our Windows smoke tests running smoothly again. Let's keep each other updated on our progress and celebrate our successes along the way. Thanks for your attention and dedication to this project! Let’s squash this bug and get back to building amazing things!