Warning when trying to use a plugin

[lvclark]

I am using Nextflow 21.03.0-edge from a Linux cluster on my campus, and am trying to test out the Azure Batch functionality so I can write up documentation for a project I'm on. I'm getting the error:

WARN: Nextflow self-contained distribution only allows default plugins -- User config plugins will be ignored: nf-azure
Cannot a find a file system provider for scheme: az

I assume that there is something we need to change about the way Nextflow is installed on our cluster in order to allow it to use plugins. I haven't been able to find any documentation on this topic.

[pditommaso]

Install it as described here https://www.nextflow.io/docs/latest/getstarted.html#installation

[lvclark]

Could the problem be because I'm loading it using module load? I don't think our IT guys really want us downloading and running executable binaries from our user directories.

[abhi18av]

Hi @lvclark ,

This problem might be there due to the nextflow-21.03.0-edge-all binary, installed on your cluster. For downloading plugins on the fly it's better to rely on the usual nextflow binary, both of which could be found here https://github.com/nextflow-io/nextflow/releases/tag/v21.03.0-edge

[lvclark]

Turns out we did have edge-all installed! The IT guy reinstalled according to your directions and I'm not getting the plugin warning any more. Still getting the error about not having an az file system though. And I think at https://www.nextflow.io/docs/edge/azure.html there may be a typo where id 'nf-azure should be id = 'nf-azure.

[lvclark]

Or wait, no I guess id 'nf-azure was at least recognized as indicating a plugin in our previous installation. But now it gives me a Java error (No signature of method: nextflow.config.ComposedConfigSlurper$_parse_closure5.id() is applicable for argument types: (java.lang.String) values: [nf-azure]) if I don't use the equals sign.

[lvclark]

Never mind, I see that the version of Nextflow I have loaded is super old and is not the one I thought it was. I'll troubleshoot more before I continue to bug you.

[lvclark]

Ok, got the right version of Nextflow, got the nf-azure plugin, and it's working. Thank you for your help!