Check the Cromwell version

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 19 views

Introduction

In this article, we will explore the issue of invalid zones input in Cromwell v88 when submitting a job to a GCP Batch. We will discuss the changes in Cromwell v88 and how it affects the zones runtime attribute. We will also provide a solution to this issue and discuss the implications of this change.

Background

In Cromwell v87, the default value for the zones runtime attribute was set to a list of multiple regions. This value was then overwritten by the Batch configuration when the job was submitted to the GCP Batch. However, in Cromwell v88, this approach is no longer valid.

The Issue

When submitting a job to a GCP Batch in Cromwell v88, the following error is encountered:

2025-03-11 22:41:49 cromwell-system-akka.dispatchers.engine-dispatcher-29 INFO  - WorkflowManagerActor: Workflow 4257dce0-247f-45c3-9961-5f1db9bfb073 failed (during ExecutingWorkflowState): cromwell.backend.google.batch.api.BatchApiRequestManager$UserBatchApiException: Unable to complete Batch request due to a problem with the request (io.grpc.StatusRuntimeException: INVALID_ARGUMENT: job.allocation_policy field is invalid. all specified locations end up in more than one regions [us-central1 us-east1 us-west1].).

This error is caused by the fact that the zones value is no longer valid in Cromwell v88. The zones value is expected to be a list of specific zones, not a list of regions.

Solution

To fix this issue, you can explicitly specify the zones value in your input JSON file. For example:

zones: "us-west1-a us-west1-b us-west1-c"

This will ensure that the zones value is valid and the job will be submitted successfully.

Implications

The change in Cromwell v88 has significant implications for users who rely on the zones runtime attribute. In the past, users could rely on the default value of the zones attribute to be overwritten by the Batch configuration. However, with the change in Cromwell v88, this approach is no longer valid.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the change in Cromwell v88 has caused issues with the zones input when submitting a job to a GCP Batch. However, by explicitly specifying the zones value in the input JSON file, users can work around this issue. It is essential to understand the implications of this change and adjust your workflow accordingly.

Troubleshooting

If you are still experiencing issues with the zones input, here are some troubleshooting steps you can take:

Check the Cromwell version: Ensure that you are running the latest version of Cromwell.
Verify the zones value: Check that the zones value is correctly specified in the input JSON file.
Check the Batch configuration: Verify that the Batch configuration is correctly set up to overwrite the zones value.
Check the error logs: Review the error logs to identify the root cause of the issue.

Best Practices

To avoid issues with the zones input in Cromwell v88, follow these best practices:

Explicitly specify the zones value: Always explicitly specify the zones value in the input JSON file.
Use the latest Cromwell version: Ensure that you are running the latest version of Cromwell.
Verify the Batch configuration: Regularly verify that the Batch configuration is correctly set up to overwrite the zones value.

Q&A

Q: What is the issue with the `zones` input in Cromwell v88?

A: The issue is that the zones value is no longer valid in Cromwell v88. The zones value is expected to be a list of specific zones, not a list of regions.

Q: Why is this issue occurring?

A: This issue is occurring because of a change in Cromwell v88. In the past, users could rely on the default value of the zones attribute to be overwritten by the Batch configuration. However, with the change in Cromwell v88, this approach is no longer valid.

Q: How can I fix this issue?

A: To fix this issue, you can explicitly specify the zones value in your input JSON file. For example:

zones: "us-west1-a us-west1-b us-west1-c"

Q: What are the implications of this change?

A: The change in Cromwell v88 has significant implications for users who rely on the zones runtime attribute. Users will need to explicitly specify the zones value in their input JSON file to avoid issues.

Q: How can I troubleshoot this issue?

A: To troubleshoot this issue, you can follow these steps:

Check the Cromwell version: Ensure that you are running the latest version of Cromwell.
Verify the zones value: Check that the zones value is correctly specified in the input JSON file.
Check the Batch configuration: Verify that the Batch configuration is correctly set up to overwrite the zones value.
Check the error logs: Review the error logs to identify the root cause of the issue.

Q: What are the best practices for avoiding this issue?

A: To avoid issues with the zones input in Cromwell v88, follow these best practices:

Explicitly specify the zones value: Always explicitly specify the zones value in the input JSON file.
Use the latest Cromwell version: Ensure that you are running the latest version of Cromwell.
Verify the Batch configuration: Regularly verify that the Batch configuration is correctly set up to overwrite the zones value.

Q: Can I revert to the previous behavior of Cromwell v87?

A: No, you cannot revert to the previous behavior of Cromwell v87. The change in Cromwell v88 is a deliberate design decision to improve the behavior of the zones attribute.

Q: Where can I find more information about this issue?

A: You can find more information about this issue in the Cromwell documentation and in the Cromwell community forums.