TradingAgents/ERROR_HANDLING_GUIDE.md

Enhanced Error Handling Guide

Overview

The TradingAgents system now includes comprehensive error handling for LLM API issues, providing clear, actionable feedback to users.

Supported Scenarios

1. Invalid Model Configuration

Error: When an invalid model name is configured Response:

• ❌ Clear error message indicating the invalid model
• 📋 List of valid models for the current provider
• 🔧 Specific configuration instructions

2. API Quota Exceeded

Error: When API usage limits are reached Response:

• ❌ Clear quota exceeded message
• 🔗 Direct links to billing/quota management
• 🔄 Alternative provider suggestions
• 📴 Offline tools recommendation

3. Missing API Keys

Error: When required environment variables are not set Response:

• ❌ Clear missing API key message
• 🔑 Exact export command to set the key
• 🔗 Links to get API keys

4. Connection Issues

Error: When network/connectivity problems occur Response:

• ❌ Connection problem identification
• 🌐 Possible causes (network, firewall, service down)
• 🔄 Alternative provider suggestions

Configuration Options

Switching Between Providers

# In tradingagents/default_config.py

# For OpenAI
"llm_provider": "openai",
"quick_think_llm": "gpt-4o-mini",
"deep_think_llm": "gpt-4o",

# For Gemini  
"llm_provider": "gemini",
"gemini_quick_think_llm": "gemini-1.5-flash",
"gemini_deep_think_llm": "gemini-1.5-pro",

Using Offline Tools

# Disable online tools to use local data sources
"online_tools": False,

Valid Models

OpenAI Models

• gpt-4o
• gpt-4o-mini
• gpt-4-turbo
• gpt-4
• gpt-3.5-turbo
• o1-preview
• o1-mini

Gemini Models

• gemini-1.5-pro
• gemini-1.5-flash
• gemini-1.0-pro
• gemini-pro

Required Environment Variables

For OpenAI

export OPENAI_API_KEY=your_openai_key_here

For Gemini

export GOOGLE_API_KEY=your_google_api_key_here

For OpenRouter

export OPENROUTER_API_KEY=your_openrouter_api_key_here

Error Handling Flow

1. Agent Tool Called → Online LLM function invoked
2. API Error Occurs → Comprehensive error handling triggers
3. User-Friendly Message → Detailed error with solutions returned
4. Agent Continues → Can use offline tools or different approach

Benefits

• Clear Problem Identification: Emoji indicators and specific error types
• Actionable Solutions: Multiple alternatives provided for each error
• Graceful Degradation: Agents can continue with offline tools
• User Education: Links to documentation and setup guides
• Configuration Guidance: Exact settings and commands provided