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generate_project_dashboard.py --all fails with FileNotFoundError when no projects exist #2
Description
Description
When using a fresh clone of the repository without any existing experiment projects, running the dashboard generation command from the README fails with a FileNotFoundError.
The command appears to assume that data/projects/ already exists, but this directory is not present in a clean checkout before any projects are created.
Steps to reproduce
- Clone the repository:
git clone https://github.com/EvoMap/AutoResearch.git
cd AutoResearch-
Do not create any experiment projects.
-
Run the dashboard generation command:
python src/generate_project_dashboard.py --all- The command exits with an error:
FileNotFoundError: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: '.../AutoResearch/data/projects'
Expected behavior
The dashboard generator should handle the case where there are no projects yet.
Possible expected behaviors:
- Generate an empty dashboard successfully, e.g. showing
0 projects - Or provide a user-friendly message indicating that no projects exist yet
A missing data/projects/ directory should not cause a Python traceback.
Actual behavior
The script fails because data/projects/ does not exist.
Creating the directory manually resolves the issue:
mkdir -p data/projects
python src/generate_project_dashboard.py --allOutput:
Generated .../AutoResearch/dashboard_index.html (0 projects)
Environment
- OS: macOS arm64
- Python: 3.12.13
- GPU: Not required
- API key: Not required
Additional context
This affects the first-run experience for new users following the README instructions.
Since the dashboard command is documented as a standalone workflow, it would be helpful if it could run successfully on a fresh checkout with zero projects.
Activity
Mike-7777777 commentedon Sep 10, 2026
Thank you for the clear report and reproduction steps, @liyx2004. We reproduced the
FileNotFoundErroron a fresh checkout and agree that the documented dashboard command should work before any experiment projects have been created.We have opened #6 to handle the missing
data/projects/directory and generate the existing overview with0 projects. The fix includes regression coverage for missing and empty directories, while preserving errors for invalid paths and unknown project filters.Until the fix is merged, your workaround is valid:
We verified the fixed command and inspected the generated empty dashboard in a browser. The offline test suite passes locally; the PR is awaiting CI and review. Thank you for helping us improve the first-run experience, and apologies for the inconvenience.