Can't create instance while offline

[divan]

It seems like it's not possible to create a new instance without active internet connection.

edgedb project init --server-instance test --non-interactive --server-version "1.4"
Found `edgedb.toml` in <redacted>
Initializing project...
Checking EdgeDB versions...
edgedb error: failed to fetch JSON at URL: https://packages.edgedb.com/archive/.jsonindexes/x86_64-apple-darwin.json: HTTP error: failed to lookup address information: nodename nor servname provided, or not known

I used to have this issue before, but was able to solve by speicfying server version explicitly in the script (--server-version "1.4" part, though it was different version naming scheme back then). Now it seems to be not working again.

• EdgeDB Version: 1.4+0b7ba44
• EdgeDB CLI Version: EdgeDB CLI 1.1.2+0cdbb5f
• OS Version: MacOS 12.4 (21F79)

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Disconnect from internet
2. Run edgedb project init --server-instance test --non-interactive --server-version "1.4"

[tailhook]

Yes. Currently, we're always trying to install the latest version.

This should be implemented by adding an --offline option and/or EDGEDB_*_OFFLINE env var. In interactive mode, we may also try and ask if user okay with using the potentially old version once we detect that JSON can't be fetched.

[divan]

Thanks. Yes, --offline mode would be great.

My use case is that I have a scaffolding for the apps that use EdgeDB as a database (think like rails new ..., but not rails). While working on it, I often create and drop projects. That includes creating new EdgeDB databases on my working laptop often (like dozens times per day).

Couple of days ago I had to work without an internet, and it was very frustrating not to be able to spin a new database (and the project), because of this JSON downloading attempt. I see no reason why it should be a blocker. Big red error message – fine, but not to block the whole process.