Error Converting IDL Code to Anchor: Unrecognized Subcommand

The Anchor CLI IDL convert command has been reported to fail when attempting to convert IDL code within an existing Anchor project. The issue arises from the fact that the idl convert command is being executed inside a new, isolated workspace or library.

Why the Issue Occurs

When running the IDL convert command inside a new, isolated workspace or library, it is possible that the anchor CLI is unable to detect the existing Anchor project and its associated configurations. This is due to the way Anchors manage their internal state and dependencies.

Workarounds and Solutions

To resolve this issue, consider the following workarounds:

1.
Use the --idl-in-project Option

Instead of running the IDL convert command directly from within a new workspace or library, try specifying the -idl-in-project option followed by the path to your existing Anchor project.

Example:

anchor --idl-in-project /path/to/your/project --idl-out /path/to/output

This will convert the IDL code in the specified project without creating a separate workspace or library.

2.
Create an Anchor Project with --idl-in-project

If you need to perform multiple IDL converts within the same existing project, consider creating an anchor project using the anchor init command and then running IDL convert commands on that project.

Example:

Create the anchor project

anchor init /path/to/your/project



Navigate to the project directory

cd /path/to/your/project



Convert IDL code

idl convert -o /path/to/output.idl --idl-in-project /path/to/your/project

This approach creates a new, isolated workspace within the existing Anchor project.

3.
Use anchor deps to Automate Dependency Management

Another potential solution involves using anchor deps to automate dependency management between projects and their IDL code. This can help ensure that the correct dependencies are included when converting IDL code.

To enable anchor deps, run:

anchor deps init --all --idl-in-project /path/to/your/project

This will create a new anchor project with the necessary dependencies automatically managed.

Conclusion

Converting IDL code to an existing Anchor project can be challenging, and the idl convert command may not work as expected. By using one of these workarounds or solutions, you should be able to resolve the issue and successfully convert your IDL code within the context of your existing Anchor project.

Example Use Cases

• Creating a new anchor project with multiple IDL converts

• Automating dependency management between projects and their IDL code

By exploring these options, you can overcome common challenges when working with Anchors and IDL conversions.