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Error Handling

A guide to understanding and handling errors in the Bitcoin MCP Server.

Common Error Types​

Network Errors​

  • Connection failures to Bitcoin network
  • API rate limiting
  • Timeout issues
  • Network configuration problems

Validation Errors​

  • Invalid Bitcoin addresses
  • Malformed transaction data
  • Incorrect parameter types
  • Missing required fields

Runtime Errors​

  • Memory limitations
  • System resource constraints
  • Concurrent request handling
  • Server configuration issues

Error Response Format​

All errors follow a consistent format:

  • Clear error message
  • Error type identification
  • Relevant context
  • Suggested resolution (when applicable)

Example Error Scenarios​

Invalid Address​

Error: Invalid Bitcoin address
Details: Address "1234" fails checksum validation
Resolution: Ensure the address follows correct Bitcoin address format

Network Issues​

Error: Unable to fetch transaction
Details: Network request timeout after 30s
Resolution: Check network connectivity and try again

Rate Limiting​

Error: API rate limit exceeded
Details: Too many requests in 60s window
Resolution: Implement request throttling or wait before retrying

Best Practices​

Error Handling​

  1. Always check input validation
  2. Implement proper error catching
  3. Log errors with sufficient context
  4. Return meaningful error messages
  5. Handle both synchronous and asynchronous errors

Recovery Strategies​

  1. Implement automatic retries for transient failures
  2. Use exponential backoff for rate limits
  3. Cache responses when appropriate
  4. Provide fallback options where possible

Debugging Tips​

  1. Enable debug logging:
LOG_LEVEL=debug npm start

  1. Check server logs for detailed error information

  2. Verify network connectivity and configuration

  3. Ensure all dependencies are properly installed