diff --git a/src/cli/browser-cli-actions-observe.ts b/src/cli/browser-cli-actions-observe.ts
index cb265a884..c463bde37 100644
--- a/src/cli/browser-cli-actions-observe.ts
+++ b/src/cli/browser-cli-actions-observe.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,14 @@ import {
 import { danger } from "../globals.js";
 import { defaultRuntime } from "../runtime.js";
 import type { BrowserParentOpts } from "./browser-cli-shared.js";
+import { runCommandWithRuntime } from "./cli-utils.js";
+
+function runBrowserObserve(action: () => Promise<void>) {
+  return runCommandWithRuntime(defaultRuntime, action, (err) => {
+    defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
+    defaultRuntime.exit(1);
+  });
+}
 
 export function registerBrowserActionObserveCommands(
   browser: Command,
@@ -22,7 +30,7 @@ export function registerBrowserActionObserveCommands(
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
       const profile = parent?.browserProfile;
-      try {
+      await runBrowserObserve(async () => {
         const result = await browserConsoleMessages(baseUrl, {
           level: opts.level?.trim() || undefined,
           targetId: opts.targetId?.trim() || undefined,
@@ -33,10 +41,7 @@ export function registerBrowserActionObserveCommands(
           return;
         }
         defaultRuntime.log(JSON.stringify(result.messages, null, 2));
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   browser
@@ -47,7 +52,7 @@ export function registerBrowserActionObserveCommands(
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
       const profile = parent?.browserProfile;
-      try {
+      await runBrowserObserve(async () => {
         const result = await browserPdfSave(baseUrl, {
           targetId: opts.targetId?.trim() || undefined,
           profile,
@@ -57,10 +62,7 @@ export function registerBrowserActionObserveCommands(
           return;
         }
         defaultRuntime.log(`PDF: ${result.path}`);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   browser
@@ -80,7 +82,7 @@ export function registerBrowserActionObserveCommands(
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
       const profile = parent?.browserProfile;
-      try {
+      await runBrowserObserve(async () => {
         const result = await browserResponseBody(baseUrl, {
           url,
           targetId: opts.targetId?.trim() || undefined,
@@ -93,9 +95,6 @@ export function registerBrowserActionObserveCommands(
           return;
         }
         defaultRuntime.log(result.response.body);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/cli/browser-cli-debug.ts b/src/cli/browser-cli-debug.ts
index c25d96b62..68bdb53b1 100644
--- a/src/cli/browser-cli-debug.ts
+++ b/src/cli/browser-cli-debug.ts
@@ -11,6 +11,14 @@ import {
 import { danger } from "../globals.js";
 import { defaultRuntime } from "../runtime.js";
 import type { BrowserParentOpts } from "./browser-cli-shared.js";
+import { runCommandWithRuntime } from "./cli-utils.js";
+
+function runBrowserDebug(action: () => Promise<void>) {
+  return runCommandWithRuntime(defaultRuntime, action, (err) => {
+    defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
+    defaultRuntime.exit(1);
+  });
+}
 
 export function registerBrowserDebugCommands(
   browser: Command,
@@ -25,7 +33,7 @@ export function registerBrowserDebugCommands(
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
       const profile = parent?.browserProfile;
-      try {
+      await runBrowserDebug(async () => {
         const result = await browserHighlight(baseUrl, {
           ref: ref.trim(),
           targetId: opts.targetId?.trim() || undefined,
@@ -36,10 +44,7 @@ export function registerBrowserDebugCommands(
           return;
         }
         defaultRuntime.log(`highlighted ${ref.trim()}`);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   browser
@@ -51,7 +56,7 @@ export function registerBrowserDebugCommands(
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
       const profile = parent?.browserProfile;
-      try {
+      await runBrowserDebug(async () => {
         const result = await browserPageErrors(baseUrl, {
           targetId: opts.targetId?.trim() || undefined,
           clear: Boolean(opts.clear),
@@ -70,10 +75,7 @@ export function registerBrowserDebugCommands(
             .map((e) => `${e.timestamp} ${e.name ? `${e.name}: ` : ""}${e.message}`)
             .join("\n"),
         );
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   browser
@@ -86,7 +88,7 @@ export function registerBrowserDebugCommands(
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
       const profile = parent?.browserProfile;
-      try {
+      await runBrowserDebug(async () => {
         const result = await browserRequests(baseUrl, {
           targetId: opts.targetId?.trim() || undefined,
           filter: opts.filter?.trim() || undefined,
@@ -111,10 +113,7 @@ export function registerBrowserDebugCommands(
             })
             .join("\n"),
         );
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   const trace = browser.command("trace").description("Record a Playwright trace");
@@ -130,7 +129,7 @@ export function registerBrowserDebugCommands(
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
       const profile = parent?.browserProfile;
-      try {
+      await runBrowserDebug(async () => {
         const result = await browserTraceStart(baseUrl, {
           targetId: opts.targetId?.trim() || undefined,
           screenshots: Boolean(opts.screenshots),
@@ -143,10 +142,7 @@ export function registerBrowserDebugCommands(
           return;
         }
         defaultRuntime.log("trace started");
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   trace
@@ -158,7 +154,7 @@ export function registerBrowserDebugCommands(
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
       const profile = parent?.browserProfile;
-      try {
+      await runBrowserDebug(async () => {
         const result = await browserTraceStop(baseUrl, {
           targetId: opts.targetId?.trim() || undefined,
           path: opts.out?.trim() || undefined,
@@ -169,9 +165,6 @@ export function registerBrowserDebugCommands(
           return;
         }
         defaultRuntime.log(`TRACE:${result.path}`);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/cli/browser-cli-manage.ts b/src/cli/browser-cli-manage.ts
index 5b17cef03..9caa47cdf 100644
--- a/src/cli/browser-cli-manage.ts
+++ b/src/cli/browser-cli-manage.ts
@@ -19,6 +19,14 @@ import { browserAct } from "../browser/client-actions-core.js";
 import { danger, info } from "../globals.js";
 import { defaultRuntime } from "../runtime.js";
 import type { BrowserParentOpts } from "./browser-cli-shared.js";
+import { runCommandWithRuntime } from "./cli-utils.js";
+
+function runBrowserCommand(action: () => Promise<void>) {
+  return runCommandWithRuntime(defaultRuntime, action, (err) => {
+    defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
+    defaultRuntime.exit(1);
+  });
+}
 
 export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
   browser: Command,
@@ -30,7 +38,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
     .action(async (_opts, cmd) => {
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
-      try {
+      await runBrowserCommand(async () => {
         const status = await browserStatus(baseUrl, {
           profile: parent?.browserProfile,
         });
@@ -53,10 +61,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
             ...(status.detectError ? [`detectError: ${status.detectError}`] : []),
           ].join("\n"),
         );
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   browser
@@ -66,7 +71,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
       const profile = parent?.browserProfile;
-      try {
+      await runBrowserCommand(async () => {
         await browserStart(baseUrl, { profile });
         const status = await browserStatus(baseUrl, { profile });
         if (parent?.json) {
@@ -75,10 +80,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
         }
         const name = status.profile ?? "clawd";
         defaultRuntime.log(info(`🦞 browser [${name}] running: ${status.running}`));
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   browser
@@ -88,7 +90,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
       const profile = parent?.browserProfile;
-      try {
+      await runBrowserCommand(async () => {
         await browserStop(baseUrl, { profile });
         const status = await browserStatus(baseUrl, { profile });
         if (parent?.json) {
@@ -97,10 +99,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
         }
         const name = status.profile ?? "clawd";
         defaultRuntime.log(info(`🦞 browser [${name}] running: ${status.running}`));
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   browser
@@ -110,7 +109,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
       const profile = parent?.browserProfile;
-      try {
+      await runBrowserCommand(async () => {
         const result = await browserResetProfile(baseUrl, { profile });
         if (parent?.json) {
           defaultRuntime.log(JSON.stringify(result, null, 2));
@@ -122,10 +121,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
         }
         const dest = result.to ?? result.from;
         defaultRuntime.log(info(`🦞 browser profile moved to Trash (${dest})`));
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   browser
@@ -135,7 +131,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
       const profile = parent?.browserProfile;
-      try {
+      await runBrowserCommand(async () => {
         const tabs = await browserTabs(baseUrl, { profile });
         if (parent?.json) {
           defaultRuntime.log(JSON.stringify({ tabs }, null, 2));
@@ -152,10 +148,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
             )
             .join("\n"),
         );
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   const tab = browser
@@ -165,7 +158,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
       const profile = parent?.browserProfile;
-      try {
+      await runBrowserCommand(async () => {
         const result = (await browserTabAction(baseUrl, {
           action: "list",
           profile,
@@ -186,10 +179,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
             )
             .join("\n"),
         );
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   tab
@@ -199,7 +189,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
       const profile = parent?.browserProfile;
-      try {
+      await runBrowserCommand(async () => {
         const result = await browserTabAction(baseUrl, {
           action: "new",
           profile,
@@ -209,10 +199,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
           return;
         }
         defaultRuntime.log("opened new tab");
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   tab
@@ -228,7 +215,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
         defaultRuntime.exit(1);
         return;
       }
-      try {
+      await runBrowserCommand(async () => {
         const result = await browserTabAction(baseUrl, {
           action: "select",
           index: Math.floor(index) - 1,
@@ -239,10 +226,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
           return;
         }
         defaultRuntime.log(`selected tab ${Math.floor(index)}`);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   tab
@@ -260,7 +244,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
         defaultRuntime.exit(1);
         return;
       }
-      try {
+      await runBrowserCommand(async () => {
         const result = await browserTabAction(baseUrl, {
           action: "close",
           index: idx,
@@ -271,10 +255,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
           return;
         }
         defaultRuntime.log("closed tab");
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   browser
@@ -285,17 +266,14 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
       const profile = parent?.browserProfile;
-      try {
+      await runBrowserCommand(async () => {
         const tab = await browserOpenTab(baseUrl, url, { profile });
         if (parent?.json) {
           defaultRuntime.log(JSON.stringify(tab, null, 2));
           return;
         }
         defaultRuntime.log(`opened: ${tab.url}\nid: ${tab.targetId}`);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   browser
@@ -306,17 +284,14 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
       const profile = parent?.browserProfile;
-      try {
+      await runBrowserCommand(async () => {
         await browserFocusTab(baseUrl, targetId, { profile });
         if (parent?.json) {
           defaultRuntime.log(JSON.stringify({ ok: true }, null, 2));
           return;
         }
         defaultRuntime.log(`focused tab ${targetId}`);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   browser
@@ -327,7 +302,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
       const profile = parent?.browserProfile;
-      try {
+      await runBrowserCommand(async () => {
         if (targetId?.trim()) {
           await browserCloseTab(baseUrl, targetId.trim(), { profile });
         } else {
@@ -338,10 +313,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
           return;
         }
         defaultRuntime.log("closed tab");
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   // Profile management commands
@@ -351,7 +323,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
     .action(async (_opts, cmd) => {
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
-      try {
+      await runBrowserCommand(async () => {
         const profiles = await browserProfiles(baseUrl);
         if (parent?.json) {
           defaultRuntime.log(JSON.stringify({ profiles }, null, 2));
@@ -373,10 +345,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
             })
             .join("\n"),
         );
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   browser
@@ -390,7 +359,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
       async (opts: { name: string; color?: string; cdpUrl?: string; driver?: string }, cmd) => {
         const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
         const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
-        try {
+        await runBrowserCommand(async () => {
           const result = await browserCreateProfile(baseUrl, {
             name: opts.name,
             color: opts.color,
@@ -409,10 +378,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
               }`,
             ),
           );
-        } catch (err) {
-          defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-          defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-        }
+        });
       },
     );
 
@@ -423,7 +389,7 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
     .action(async (opts: { name: string }, cmd) => {
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
-      try {
+      await runBrowserCommand(async () => {
         const result = await browserDeleteProfile(baseUrl, opts.name);
         if (parent?.json) {
           defaultRuntime.log(JSON.stringify(result, null, 2));
@@ -433,9 +399,6 @@ export function registerBrowserManageCommands(
           ? `🦞 Deleted profile "${result.profile}" (user data removed)`
           : `🦞 Deleted profile "${result.profile}" (no user data found)`;
         defaultRuntime.log(info(msg));
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/cli/browser-cli-state.ts b/src/cli/browser-cli-state.ts
index 905500286..ea98901e1 100644
--- a/src/cli/browser-cli-state.ts
+++ b/src/cli/browser-cli-state.ts
@@ -17,12 +17,20 @@ import { defaultRuntime } from "../runtime.js";
 import { parseBooleanValue } from "../utils/boolean.js";
 import type { BrowserParentOpts } from "./browser-cli-shared.js";
 import { registerBrowserCookiesAndStorageCommands } from "./browser-cli-state.cookies-storage.js";
+import { runCommandWithRuntime } from "./cli-utils.js";
 
 function parseOnOff(raw: string): boolean | null {
   const parsed = parseBooleanValue(raw);
   return parsed === undefined ? null : parsed;
 }
 
+function runBrowserCommand(action: () => Promise<void>) {
+  return runCommandWithRuntime(defaultRuntime, action, (err) => {
+    defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
+    defaultRuntime.exit(1);
+  });
+}
+
 export function registerBrowserStateCommands(
   browser: Command,
   parentOpts: (cmd: Command) => BrowserParentOpts,
@@ -46,7 +54,7 @@ export function registerBrowserStateCommands(
         defaultRuntime.exit(1);
         return;
       }
-      try {
+      await runBrowserCommand(async () => {
         const result = await browserAct(
           baseUrl,
           {
@@ -62,10 +70,7 @@ export function registerBrowserStateCommands(
           return;
         }
         defaultRuntime.log(`viewport set: ${width}x${height}`);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   set
@@ -83,7 +88,7 @@ export function registerBrowserStateCommands(
         defaultRuntime.exit(1);
         return;
       }
-      try {
+      await runBrowserCommand(async () => {
         const result = await browserSetOffline(baseUrl, {
           offline,
           targetId: opts.targetId?.trim() || undefined,
@@ -94,10 +99,7 @@ export function registerBrowserStateCommands(
           return;
         }
         defaultRuntime.log(`offline: ${offline}`);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   set
@@ -109,7 +111,7 @@ export function registerBrowserStateCommands(
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
       const profile = parent?.browserProfile;
-      try {
+      await runBrowserCommand(async () => {
         const parsed = JSON.parse(String(opts.json)) as unknown;
         if (!parsed || typeof parsed !== "object" || Array.isArray(parsed)) {
           throw new Error("headers json must be an object");
@@ -128,10 +130,7 @@ export function registerBrowserStateCommands(
           return;
         }
         defaultRuntime.log("headers set");
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   set
@@ -145,7 +144,7 @@ export function registerBrowserStateCommands(
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
       const profile = parent?.browserProfile;
-      try {
+      await runBrowserCommand(async () => {
         const result = await browserSetHttpCredentials(baseUrl, {
           username: username?.trim() || undefined,
           password,
@@ -158,10 +157,7 @@ export function registerBrowserStateCommands(
           return;
         }
         defaultRuntime.log(opts.clear ? "credentials cleared" : "credentials set");
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   set
@@ -177,7 +173,7 @@ export function registerBrowserStateCommands(
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
       const profile = parent?.browserProfile;
-      try {
+      await runBrowserCommand(async () => {
         const result = await browserSetGeolocation(baseUrl, {
           latitude: Number.isFinite(latitude) ? latitude : undefined,
           longitude: Number.isFinite(longitude) ? longitude : undefined,
@@ -192,10 +188,7 @@ export function registerBrowserStateCommands(
           return;
         }
         defaultRuntime.log(opts.clear ? "geolocation cleared" : "geolocation set");
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   set
@@ -215,7 +208,7 @@ export function registerBrowserStateCommands(
         defaultRuntime.exit(1);
         return;
       }
-      try {
+      await runBrowserCommand(async () => {
         const result = await browserSetMedia(baseUrl, {
           colorScheme,
           targetId: opts.targetId?.trim() || undefined,
@@ -226,10 +219,7 @@ export function registerBrowserStateCommands(
           return;
         }
         defaultRuntime.log(`media colorScheme: ${colorScheme}`);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   set
@@ -241,7 +231,7 @@ export function registerBrowserStateCommands(
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
       const profile = parent?.browserProfile;
-      try {
+      await runBrowserCommand(async () => {
         const result = await browserSetTimezone(baseUrl, {
           timezoneId,
           targetId: opts.targetId?.trim() || undefined,
@@ -252,10 +242,7 @@ export function registerBrowserStateCommands(
           return;
         }
         defaultRuntime.log(`timezone: ${timezoneId}`);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   set
@@ -267,7 +254,7 @@ export function registerBrowserStateCommands(
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
       const profile = parent?.browserProfile;
-      try {
+      await runBrowserCommand(async () => {
         const result = await browserSetLocale(baseUrl, {
           locale,
           targetId: opts.targetId?.trim() || undefined,
@@ -278,10 +265,7 @@ export function registerBrowserStateCommands(
           return;
         }
         defaultRuntime.log(`locale: ${locale}`);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   set
@@ -293,7 +277,7 @@ export function registerBrowserStateCommands(
       const parent = parentOpts(cmd);
       const baseUrl = resolveBrowserControlUrl(parent?.url);
       const profile = parent?.browserProfile;
-      try {
+      await runBrowserCommand(async () => {
         const result = await browserSetDevice(baseUrl, {
           name,
           targetId: opts.targetId?.trim() || undefined,
@@ -304,9 +288,6 @@ export function registerBrowserStateCommands(
           return;
         }
         defaultRuntime.log(`device: ${name}`);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/cli/channels-cli.ts b/src/cli/channels-cli.ts
index 14f85b52a..ee56a4a0a 100644
--- a/src/cli/channels-cli.ts
+++ b/src/cli/channels-cli.ts
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import { defaultRuntime } from "../runtime.js";
 import { formatDocsLink } from "../terminal/links.js";
 import { theme } from "../terminal/theme.js";
 import { runChannelLogin, runChannelLogout } from "./channel-auth.js";
+import { runCommandWithRuntime } from "./cli-utils.js";
 import { hasExplicitOptions } from "./command-options.js";
 
 const optionNamesAdd = [
@@ -44,6 +45,17 @@ const optionNamesAdd = [
 
 const optionNamesRemove = ["channel", "account", "delete"] as const;
 
+function runChannelsCommand(action: () => Promise<void>) {
+  return runCommandWithRuntime(defaultRuntime, action);
+}
+
+function runChannelsCommandWithDanger(action: () => Promise<void>, label: string) {
+  return runCommandWithRuntime(defaultRuntime, action, (err) => {
+    defaultRuntime.error(danger(`${label}: ${String(err)}`));
+    defaultRuntime.exit(1);
+  });
+}
+
 export function registerChannelsCli(program: Command) {
   const channelNames = listChannelPlugins()
     .map((plugin) => plugin.id)
@@ -66,12 +78,9 @@ export function registerChannelsCli(program: Command) {
     .option("--no-usage", "Skip model provider usage/quota snapshots")
     .option("--json", "Output JSON", false)
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runChannelsCommand(async () => {
         await channelsListCommand(opts, defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   channels
@@ -81,12 +90,9 @@ export function registerChannelsCli(program: Command) {
     .option("--timeout <ms>", "Timeout in ms", "10000")
     .option("--json", "Output JSON", false)
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runChannelsCommand(async () => {
         await channelsStatusCommand(opts, defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   channels
@@ -98,12 +104,9 @@ export function registerChannelsCli(program: Command) {
     .option("--timeout <ms>", "Timeout in ms", "10000")
     .option("--json", "Output JSON", false)
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runChannelsCommand(async () => {
         await channelsCapabilitiesCommand(opts, defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   channels
@@ -115,7 +118,7 @@ export function registerChannelsCli(program: Command) {
     .option("--kind <kind>", "Target kind (auto|user|group)", "auto")
     .option("--json", "Output JSON", false)
     .action(async (entries, opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runChannelsCommand(async () => {
         await channelsResolveCommand(
           {
             channel: opts.channel as string | undefined,
@@ -126,10 +129,7 @@ export function registerChannelsCli(program: Command) {
           },
           defaultRuntime,
         );
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   channels
@@ -139,12 +139,9 @@ export function registerChannelsCli(program: Command) {
     .option("--lines <n>", "Number of lines (default: 200)", "200")
     .option("--json", "Output JSON", false)
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runChannelsCommand(async () => {
         await channelsLogsCommand(opts, defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   channels
@@ -174,13 +171,10 @@ export function registerChannelsCli(program: Command) {
     .option("--initial-sync-limit <n>", "Matrix initial sync limit")
     .option("--use-env", "Use env token (default account only)", false)
     .action(async (opts, command) => {
-      try {
+      await runChannelsCommand(async () => {
         const hasFlags = hasExplicitOptions(command, optionNamesAdd);
         await channelsAddCommand(opts, defaultRuntime, { hasFlags });
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   channels
@@ -190,13 +184,10 @@ export function registerChannelsCli(program: Command) {
     .option("--account <id>", "Account id (default when omitted)")
     .option("--delete", "Delete config entries (no prompt)", false)
     .action(async (opts, command) => {
-      try {
+      await runChannelsCommand(async () => {
         const hasFlags = hasExplicitOptions(command, optionNamesRemove);
         await channelsRemoveCommand(opts, defaultRuntime, { hasFlags });
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   channels
@@ -206,7 +197,8 @@ export function registerChannelsCli(program: Command) {
     .option("--account <id>", "Account id (accountId)")
     .option("--verbose", "Verbose connection logs", false)
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runChannelsCommandWithDanger(
+        async () => {
         await runChannelLogin(
           {
             channel: opts.channel as string | undefined,
@@ -215,10 +207,9 @@ export function registerChannelsCli(program: Command) {
           },
           defaultRuntime,
         );
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(`Channel login failed: ${String(err)}`));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+        },
+        "Channel login failed",
+      );
     });
 
   channels
@@ -227,7 +218,8 @@ export function registerChannelsCli(program: Command) {
     .option("--channel <channel>", "Channel alias (default: whatsapp)")
     .option("--account <id>", "Account id (accountId)")
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runChannelsCommandWithDanger(
+        async () => {
         await runChannelLogout(
           {
             channel: opts.channel as string | undefined,
@@ -235,9 +227,8 @@ export function registerChannelsCli(program: Command) {
           },
           defaultRuntime,
         );
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(danger(`Channel logout failed: ${String(err)}`));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+        },
+        "Channel logout failed",
+      );
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/cli/cli-utils.ts b/src/cli/cli-utils.ts
index 1b9e28a48..2aae659f8 100644
--- a/src/cli/cli-utils.ts
+++ b/src/cli/cli-utils.ts
@@ -29,3 +29,20 @@ export async function withManager<T>(params: {
     }
   }
 }
+
+export async function runCommandWithRuntime(
+  runtime: { error: (message: string) => void; exit: (code: number) => void },
+  action: () => Promise<void>,
+  onError?: (error: unknown) => void,
+): Promise<void> {
+  try {
+    await action();
+  } catch (err) {
+    if (onError) {
+      onError(err);
+      return;
+    }
+    runtime.error(String(err));
+    runtime.exit(1);
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/cli/docs-cli.ts b/src/cli/docs-cli.ts
index b69204137..8078b8afe 100644
--- a/src/cli/docs-cli.ts
+++ b/src/cli/docs-cli.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { docsSearchCommand } from "../commands/docs.js";
 import { defaultRuntime } from "../runtime.js";
 import { formatDocsLink } from "../terminal/links.js";
 import { theme } from "../terminal/theme.js";
+import { runCommandWithRuntime } from "./cli-utils.js";
 
 export function registerDocsCli(program: Command) {
   program
@@ -15,11 +16,8 @@ export function registerDocsCli(program: Command) {
       () => `\n${theme.muted("Docs:")} ${formatDocsLink("/cli/docs", "docs.clawd.bot/cli/docs")}\n`,
     )
     .action(async (queryParts: string[]) => {
-      try {
+      await runCommandWithRuntime(defaultRuntime, async () => {
         await docsSearchCommand(queryParts, defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/cli/gateway-cli/register.ts b/src/cli/gateway-cli/register.ts
index 0a4361140..5cfe71cd8 100644
--- a/src/cli/gateway-cli/register.ts
+++ b/src/cli/gateway-cli/register.ts
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import { defaultRuntime } from "../../runtime.js";
 import { formatDocsLink } from "../../terminal/links.js";
 import { colorize, isRich, theme } from "../../terminal/theme.js";
 import { withProgress } from "../progress.js";
+import { runCommandWithRuntime } from "../cli-utils.js";
 import { callGatewayCli, gatewayCallOpts } from "./call.js";
 import type { GatewayDiscoverOpts } from "./discover.js";
 import {
@@ -41,6 +42,14 @@ function styleHealthChannelLine(line: string, rich: boolean): string {
   return line;
 }
 
+function runGatewayCommand(action: () => Promise<void>, label?: string) {
+  return runCommandWithRuntime(defaultRuntime, action, (err) => {
+    const message = String(err);
+    defaultRuntime.error(label ? `${label}: ${message}` : message);
+    defaultRuntime.exit(1);
+  });
+}
+
 export function registerGatewayCli(program: Command) {
   const gateway = addGatewayRunCommand(
     program
@@ -67,7 +76,7 @@ export function registerGatewayCli(program: Command) {
       .argument("<method>", "Method name (health/status/system-presence/cron.*)")
       .option("--params <json>", "JSON object string for params", "{}")
       .action(async (method, opts) => {
-        try {
+        await runGatewayCommand(async () => {
           const params = JSON.parse(String(opts.params ?? "{}"));
           const result = await callGatewayCli(method, opts, params);
           if (opts.json) {
@@ -79,10 +88,7 @@ export function registerGatewayCli(program: Command) {
             `${colorize(rich, theme.heading, "Gateway call")}: ${colorize(rich, theme.muted, String(method))}`,
           );
           defaultRuntime.log(JSON.stringify(result, null, 2));
-        } catch (err) {
-          defaultRuntime.error(`Gateway call failed: ${String(err)}`);
-          defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-        }
+        }, "Gateway call failed");
       }),
   );
 
@@ -91,7 +97,7 @@ export function registerGatewayCli(program: Command) {
       .command("health")
       .description("Fetch Gateway health")
       .action(async (opts) => {
-        try {
+        await runGatewayCommand(async () => {
           const result = await callGatewayCli("health", opts);
           if (opts.json) {
             defaultRuntime.log(JSON.stringify(result, null, 2));
@@ -110,10 +116,7 @@ export function registerGatewayCli(program: Command) {
               defaultRuntime.log(styleHealthChannelLine(line, rich));
             }
           }
-        } catch (err) {
-          defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-          defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-        }
+        });
       }),
   );
 
@@ -129,12 +132,9 @@ export function registerGatewayCli(program: Command) {
     .option("--timeout <ms>", "Overall probe budget in ms", "3000")
     .option("--json", "Output JSON", false)
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runGatewayCommand(async () => {
         await gatewayStatusCommand(opts, defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   gateway
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ export function registerGatewayCli(program: Command) {
     .option("--timeout <ms>", "Per-command timeout in ms", "2000")
     .option("--json", "Output JSON", false)
     .action(async (opts: GatewayDiscoverOpts) => {
-      try {
+      await runGatewayCommand(async () => {
         const timeoutMs = parseDiscoverTimeoutMs(opts.timeout, 2000);
         const beacons = await withProgress(
           {
@@ -200,9 +200,6 @@ export function registerGatewayCli(program: Command) {
             defaultRuntime.log(line);
           }
         }
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(`gateway discover failed: ${String(err)}`);
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      }, "gateway discover failed");
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/cli/models-cli.ts b/src/cli/models-cli.ts
index 3268e9aba..a2674d94a 100644
--- a/src/cli/models-cli.ts
+++ b/src/cli/models-cli.ts
@@ -29,6 +29,11 @@ import {
 import { defaultRuntime } from "../runtime.js";
 import { formatDocsLink } from "../terminal/links.js";
 import { theme } from "../terminal/theme.js";
+import { runCommandWithRuntime } from "./cli-utils.js";
+
+function runModelsCommand(action: () => Promise<void>) {
+  return runCommandWithRuntime(defaultRuntime, action);
+}
 
 export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
   const models = program
@@ -51,12 +56,9 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
     .option("--json", "Output JSON", false)
     .option("--plain", "Plain line output", false)
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runModelsCommand(async () => {
         await modelsListCommand(opts, defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   models
@@ -70,12 +72,9 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
       false,
     )
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runModelsCommand(async () => {
         await modelsStatusCommand(opts, defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   models
@@ -83,12 +82,9 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
     .description("Set the default model")
     .argument("<model>", "Model id or alias")
     .action(async (model: string) => {
-      try {
+      await runModelsCommand(async () => {
         await modelsSetCommand(model, defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   models
@@ -96,12 +92,9 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
     .description("Set the image model")
     .argument("<model>", "Model id or alias")
     .action(async (model: string) => {
-      try {
+      await runModelsCommand(async () => {
         await modelsSetImageCommand(model, defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   const aliases = models.command("aliases").description("Manage model aliases");
@@ -112,12 +105,9 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
     .option("--json", "Output JSON", false)
     .option("--plain", "Plain output", false)
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runModelsCommand(async () => {
         await modelsAliasesListCommand(opts, defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   aliases
@@ -126,12 +116,9 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
     .argument("<alias>", "Alias name")
     .argument("<model>", "Model id or alias")
     .action(async (alias: string, model: string) => {
-      try {
+      await runModelsCommand(async () => {
         await modelsAliasesAddCommand(alias, model, defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   aliases
@@ -139,12 +126,9 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
     .description("Remove a model alias")
     .argument("<alias>", "Alias name")
     .action(async (alias: string) => {
-      try {
+      await runModelsCommand(async () => {
         await modelsAliasesRemoveCommand(alias, defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   const fallbacks = models.command("fallbacks").description("Manage model fallback list");
@@ -155,12 +139,9 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
     .option("--json", "Output JSON", false)
     .option("--plain", "Plain output", false)
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runModelsCommand(async () => {
         await modelsFallbacksListCommand(opts, defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   fallbacks
@@ -168,12 +149,9 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
     .description("Add a fallback model")
     .argument("<model>", "Model id or alias")
     .action(async (model: string) => {
-      try {
+      await runModelsCommand(async () => {
         await modelsFallbacksAddCommand(model, defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   fallbacks
@@ -181,24 +159,18 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
     .description("Remove a fallback model")
     .argument("<model>", "Model id or alias")
     .action(async (model: string) => {
-      try {
+      await runModelsCommand(async () => {
         await modelsFallbacksRemoveCommand(model, defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   fallbacks
     .command("clear")
     .description("Clear all fallback models")
     .action(async () => {
-      try {
+      await runModelsCommand(async () => {
         await modelsFallbacksClearCommand(defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   const imageFallbacks = models
@@ -211,12 +183,9 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
     .option("--json", "Output JSON", false)
     .option("--plain", "Plain output", false)
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runModelsCommand(async () => {
         await modelsImageFallbacksListCommand(opts, defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   imageFallbacks
@@ -224,12 +193,9 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
     .description("Add an image fallback model")
     .argument("<model>", "Model id or alias")
     .action(async (model: string) => {
-      try {
+      await runModelsCommand(async () => {
         await modelsImageFallbacksAddCommand(model, defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   imageFallbacks
@@ -237,24 +203,18 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
     .description("Remove an image fallback model")
     .argument("<model>", "Model id or alias")
     .action(async (model: string) => {
-      try {
+      await runModelsCommand(async () => {
         await modelsImageFallbacksRemoveCommand(model, defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   imageFallbacks
     .command("clear")
     .description("Clear all image fallback models")
     .action(async () => {
-      try {
+      await runModelsCommand(async () => {
         await modelsImageFallbacksClearCommand(defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   models
@@ -273,16 +233,13 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
     .option("--set-image", "Set agents.defaults.imageModel to the first image selection", false)
     .option("--json", "Output JSON", false)
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runModelsCommand(async () => {
         await modelsScanCommand(opts, defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   models.action(async (opts) => {
-    try {
+    await runModelsCommand(async () => {
       await modelsStatusCommand(
         {
           json: Boolean(opts?.statusJson),
@@ -290,10 +247,7 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
         },
         defaultRuntime,
       );
-    } catch (err) {
-      defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-      defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-    }
+    });
   });
 
   const auth = models.command("auth").description("Manage model auth profiles");
@@ -302,12 +256,9 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
     .command("add")
     .description("Interactive auth helper (setup-token or paste token)")
     .action(async () => {
-      try {
+      await runModelsCommand(async () => {
         await modelsAuthAddCommand({}, defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   auth
@@ -317,7 +268,7 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
     .option("--method <id>", "Provider auth method id")
     .option("--set-default", "Apply the provider's default model recommendation", false)
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runModelsCommand(async () => {
         await modelsAuthLoginCommand(
           {
             provider: opts.provider as string | undefined,
@@ -326,10 +277,7 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
           },
           defaultRuntime,
         );
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   auth
@@ -338,7 +286,7 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
     .option("--provider <name>", "Provider id (default: anthropic)")
     .option("--yes", "Skip confirmation", false)
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runModelsCommand(async () => {
         await modelsAuthSetupTokenCommand(
           {
             provider: opts.provider as string | undefined,
@@ -346,10 +294,7 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
           },
           defaultRuntime,
         );
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   auth
@@ -362,7 +307,7 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
       "Optional expiry duration (e.g. 365d, 12h). Stored as absolute expiresAt.",
     )
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runModelsCommand(async () => {
         await modelsAuthPasteTokenCommand(
           {
             provider: opts.provider as string | undefined,
@@ -371,10 +316,7 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
           },
           defaultRuntime,
         );
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   auth
@@ -383,7 +325,7 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
     .option("--profile-id <id>", "Auth profile id (default: github-copilot:github)")
     .option("--yes", "Overwrite existing profile without prompting", false)
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runModelsCommand(async () => {
         await githubCopilotLoginCommand(
           {
             profileId: opts.profileId as string | undefined,
@@ -391,10 +333,7 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
           },
           defaultRuntime,
         );
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   const order = auth.command("order").description("Manage per-agent auth profile order overrides");
@@ -406,7 +345,7 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
     .option("--agent <id>", "Agent id (default: configured default agent)")
     .option("--json", "Output JSON", false)
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runModelsCommand(async () => {
         await modelsAuthOrderGetCommand(
           {
             provider: opts.provider as string,
@@ -415,10 +354,7 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
           },
           defaultRuntime,
         );
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   order
@@ -428,7 +364,7 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
     .option("--agent <id>", "Agent id (default: configured default agent)")
     .argument("<profileIds...>", "Auth profile ids (e.g. anthropic:claude-cli)")
     .action(async (profileIds: string[], opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runModelsCommand(async () => {
         await modelsAuthOrderSetCommand(
           {
             provider: opts.provider as string,
@@ -437,10 +373,7 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
           },
           defaultRuntime,
         );
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   order
@@ -449,7 +382,7 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
     .requiredOption("--provider <name>", "Provider id (e.g. anthropic)")
     .option("--agent <id>", "Agent id (default: configured default agent)")
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runModelsCommand(async () => {
         await modelsAuthOrderClearCommand(
           {
             provider: opts.provider as string,
@@ -457,9 +390,6 @@ export function registerModelsCli(program: Command) {
           },
           defaultRuntime,
         );
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/cli/program/message/helpers.ts b/src/cli/program/message/helpers.ts
index da1f46561..0f03a0b90 100644
--- a/src/cli/program/message/helpers.ts
+++ b/src/cli/program/message/helpers.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import { danger, setVerbose } from "../../../globals.js";
 import { CHANNEL_TARGET_DESCRIPTION } from "../../../infra/outbound/channel-target.js";
 import { defaultRuntime } from "../../../runtime.js";
 import { createDefaultDeps } from "../../deps.js";
-import { ensureConfigReady } from "../config-guard.js";
+import { runCommandWithRuntime } from "../../cli-utils.js";
 
 export type MessageCliHelpers = {
   withMessageBase: (command: Command) => Command;
@@ -31,10 +31,11 @@ export function createMessageCliHelpers(
     command.requiredOption("-t, --target <dest>", CHANNEL_TARGET_DESCRIPTION);
 
   const runMessageAction = async (action: string, opts: Record<string, unknown>) => {
-    await ensureConfigReady({ runtime: defaultRuntime, migrateState: true });
     setVerbose(Boolean(opts.verbose));
     const deps = createDefaultDeps();
-    try {
+    await runCommandWithRuntime(
+      defaultRuntime,
+      async () => {
       await messageCommand(
         {
           ...(() => {
@@ -49,10 +50,12 @@ export function createMessageCliHelpers(
         deps,
         defaultRuntime,
       );
-    } catch (err) {
-      defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
-      defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-    }
+      },
+      (err) => {
+        defaultRuntime.error(danger(String(err)));
+        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
+      },
+    );
   };
 
   // `message` is only used for `message.help({ error: true })`, keep the
diff --git a/src/cli/program/register.agent.ts b/src/cli/program/register.agent.ts
index cfde6709c..e87b71452 100644
--- a/src/cli/program/register.agent.ts
+++ b/src/cli/program/register.agent.ts
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@ import { formatDocsLink } from "../../terminal/links.js";
 import { theme } from "../../terminal/theme.js";
 import { hasExplicitOptions } from "../command-options.js";
 import { createDefaultDeps } from "../deps.js";
+import { runCommandWithRuntime } from "../cli-utils.js";
 import { collectOption } from "./helpers.js";
-import { ensureConfigReady } from "./config-guard.js";
 
 export function registerAgentCommands(program: Command, args: { agentChannelOptions: string }) {
   program
@@ -54,17 +54,13 @@ Examples:
 ${theme.muted("Docs:")} ${formatDocsLink("/cli/agent", "docs.clawd.bot/cli/agent")}`,
     )
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      await ensureConfigReady({ runtime: defaultRuntime, migrateState: false });
       const verboseLevel = typeof opts.verbose === "string" ? opts.verbose.toLowerCase() : "";
       setVerbose(verboseLevel === "on");
       // Build default deps (keeps parity with other commands; future-proofing).
       const deps = createDefaultDeps();
-      try {
+      await runCommandWithRuntime(defaultRuntime, async () => {
         await agentCliCommand(opts, defaultRuntime, deps);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   const agents = program
@@ -82,16 +78,12 @@ ${theme.muted("Docs:")} ${formatDocsLink("/cli/agent", "docs.clawd.bot/cli/agent
     .option("--json", "Output JSON instead of text", false)
     .option("--bindings", "Include routing bindings", false)
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      await ensureConfigReady({ runtime: defaultRuntime, migrateState: true });
-      try {
+      await runCommandWithRuntime(defaultRuntime, async () => {
         await agentsListCommand(
           { json: Boolean(opts.json), bindings: Boolean(opts.bindings) },
           defaultRuntime,
         );
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   agents
@@ -104,8 +96,7 @@ ${theme.muted("Docs:")} ${formatDocsLink("/cli/agent", "docs.clawd.bot/cli/agent
     .option("--non-interactive", "Disable prompts; requires --workspace", false)
     .option("--json", "Output JSON summary", false)
     .action(async (name, opts, command) => {
-      await ensureConfigReady({ runtime: defaultRuntime, migrateState: true });
-      try {
+      await runCommandWithRuntime(defaultRuntime, async () => {
         const hasFlags = hasExplicitOptions(command, [
           "workspace",
           "model",
@@ -126,10 +117,7 @@ ${theme.muted("Docs:")} ${formatDocsLink("/cli/agent", "docs.clawd.bot/cli/agent
           defaultRuntime,
           { hasFlags },
         );
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   agents
@@ -138,8 +126,7 @@ ${theme.muted("Docs:")} ${formatDocsLink("/cli/agent", "docs.clawd.bot/cli/agent
     .option("--force", "Skip confirmation", false)
     .option("--json", "Output JSON summary", false)
     .action(async (id, opts) => {
-      await ensureConfigReady({ runtime: defaultRuntime, migrateState: true });
-      try {
+      await runCommandWithRuntime(defaultRuntime, async () => {
         await agentsDeleteCommand(
           {
             id: String(id),
@@ -148,19 +135,12 @@ ${theme.muted("Docs:")} ${formatDocsLink("/cli/agent", "docs.clawd.bot/cli/agent
           },
           defaultRuntime,
         );
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   agents.action(async () => {
-    await ensureConfigReady({ runtime: defaultRuntime, migrateState: true });
-    try {
+    await runCommandWithRuntime(defaultRuntime, async () => {
       await agentsListCommand({}, defaultRuntime);
-    } catch (err) {
-      defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-      defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-    }
+    });
   });
 }
diff --git a/src/cli/program/register.configure.ts b/src/cli/program/register.configure.ts
index 0a6d6fd4b..a10805e88 100644
--- a/src/cli/program/register.configure.ts
+++ b/src/cli/program/register.configure.ts
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import {
 import { defaultRuntime } from "../../runtime.js";
 import { formatDocsLink } from "../../terminal/links.js";
 import { theme } from "../../terminal/theme.js";
+import { runCommandWithRuntime } from "../cli-utils.js";
 
 export function registerConfigureCommand(program: Command) {
   program
@@ -24,7 +25,7 @@ export function registerConfigureCommand(program: Command) {
       [] as string[],
     )
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runCommandWithRuntime(defaultRuntime, async () => {
         const sections: string[] = Array.isArray(opts.section)
           ? opts.section
               .map((value: unknown) => (typeof value === "string" ? value.trim() : ""))
@@ -45,9 +46,6 @@ export function registerConfigureCommand(program: Command) {
         }
 
         await configureCommandWithSections(sections as never, defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/cli/program/register.maintenance.ts b/src/cli/program/register.maintenance.ts
index ffa5ac46d..8d045de64 100644
--- a/src/cli/program/register.maintenance.ts
+++ b/src/cli/program/register.maintenance.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import { uninstallCommand } from "../../commands/uninstall.js";
 import { defaultRuntime } from "../../runtime.js";
 import { formatDocsLink } from "../../terminal/links.js";
 import { theme } from "../../terminal/theme.js";
+import { runCommandWithRuntime } from "../cli-utils.js";
 
 export function registerMaintenanceCommands(program: Command) {
   program
@@ -24,7 +25,7 @@ export function registerMaintenanceCommands(program: Command) {
     .option("--generate-gateway-token", "Generate and configure a gateway token", false)
     .option("--deep", "Scan system services for extra gateway installs", false)
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runCommandWithRuntime(defaultRuntime, async () => {
         await doctorCommand(defaultRuntime, {
           workspaceSuggestions: opts.workspaceSuggestions,
           yes: Boolean(opts.yes),
@@ -34,10 +35,7 @@ export function registerMaintenanceCommands(program: Command) {
           generateGatewayToken: Boolean(opts.generateGatewayToken),
           deep: Boolean(opts.deep),
         });
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   program
@@ -50,14 +48,11 @@ export function registerMaintenanceCommands(program: Command) {
     )
     .option("--no-open", "Print URL but do not launch a browser", false)
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runCommandWithRuntime(defaultRuntime, async () => {
         await dashboardCommand(defaultRuntime, {
           noOpen: Boolean(opts.noOpen),
         });
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   program
@@ -73,17 +68,14 @@ export function registerMaintenanceCommands(program: Command) {
     .option("--non-interactive", "Disable prompts (requires --scope + --yes)", false)
     .option("--dry-run", "Print actions without removing files", false)
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runCommandWithRuntime(defaultRuntime, async () => {
         await resetCommand(defaultRuntime, {
           scope: opts.scope,
           yes: Boolean(opts.yes),
           nonInteractive: Boolean(opts.nonInteractive),
           dryRun: Boolean(opts.dryRun),
         });
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   program
@@ -103,7 +95,7 @@ export function registerMaintenanceCommands(program: Command) {
     .option("--non-interactive", "Disable prompts (requires --yes)", false)
     .option("--dry-run", "Print actions without removing files", false)
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      try {
+      await runCommandWithRuntime(defaultRuntime, async () => {
         await uninstallCommand(defaultRuntime, {
           service: Boolean(opts.service),
           state: Boolean(opts.state),
@@ -114,9 +106,6 @@ export function registerMaintenanceCommands(program: Command) {
           nonInteractive: Boolean(opts.nonInteractive),
           dryRun: Boolean(opts.dryRun),
         });
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/cli/program/register.onboard.ts b/src/cli/program/register.onboard.ts
index 08d610182..4f1005304 100644
--- a/src/cli/program/register.onboard.ts
+++ b/src/cli/program/register.onboard.ts
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import type {
 import { defaultRuntime } from "../../runtime.js";
 import { formatDocsLink } from "../../terminal/links.js";
 import { theme } from "../../terminal/theme.js";
+import { runCommandWithRuntime } from "../cli-utils.js";
 
 function resolveInstallDaemonFlag(
   command: unknown,
@@ -94,7 +95,7 @@ export function registerOnboardCommand(program: Command) {
     .option("--node-manager <name>", "Node manager for skills: npm|pnpm|bun")
     .option("--json", "Output JSON summary", false)
     .action(async (opts, command) => {
-      try {
+      await runCommandWithRuntime(defaultRuntime, async () => {
         const installDaemon = resolveInstallDaemonFlag(command, {
           installDaemon: Boolean(opts.installDaemon),
         });
@@ -147,9 +148,6 @@ export function registerOnboardCommand(program: Command) {
           },
           defaultRuntime,
         );
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/cli/program/register.setup.ts b/src/cli/program/register.setup.ts
index 189773d72..aa79a5dda 100644
--- a/src/cli/program/register.setup.ts
+++ b/src/cli/program/register.setup.ts
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import { defaultRuntime } from "../../runtime.js";
 import { formatDocsLink } from "../../terminal/links.js";
 import { theme } from "../../terminal/theme.js";
 import { hasExplicitOptions } from "../command-options.js";
+import { runCommandWithRuntime } from "../cli-utils.js";
 
 export function registerSetupCommand(program: Command) {
   program
@@ -25,7 +26,7 @@ export function registerSetupCommand(program: Command) {
     .option("--remote-url <url>", "Remote Gateway WebSocket URL")
     .option("--remote-token <token>", "Remote Gateway token (optional)")
     .action(async (opts, command) => {
-      try {
+      await runCommandWithRuntime(defaultRuntime, async () => {
         const hasWizardFlags = hasExplicitOptions(command, [
           "wizard",
           "nonInteractive",
@@ -47,9 +48,6 @@ export function registerSetupCommand(program: Command) {
           return;
         }
         await setupCommand({ workspace: opts.workspace as string | undefined }, defaultRuntime);
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/cli/program/register.status-health-sessions.ts b/src/cli/program/register.status-health-sessions.ts
index 6e39ec484..cb34e7cea 100644
--- a/src/cli/program/register.status-health-sessions.ts
+++ b/src/cli/program/register.status-health-sessions.ts
@@ -6,8 +6,22 @@ import { setVerbose } from "../../globals.js";
 import { defaultRuntime } from "../../runtime.js";
 import { formatDocsLink } from "../../terminal/links.js";
 import { theme } from "../../terminal/theme.js";
+import { runCommandWithRuntime } from "../cli-utils.js";
 import { parsePositiveIntOrUndefined } from "./helpers.js";
-import { ensureConfigReady } from "./config-guard.js";
+
+function resolveVerbose(opts: { verbose?: boolean; debug?: boolean }): boolean {
+  return Boolean(opts.verbose || opts.debug);
+}
+
+function parseTimeoutMs(timeout: unknown): number | null | undefined {
+  const parsed = parsePositiveIntOrUndefined(timeout);
+  if (timeout !== undefined && parsed === undefined) {
+    defaultRuntime.error("--timeout must be a positive integer (milliseconds)");
+    defaultRuntime.exit(1);
+    return null;
+  }
+  return parsed;
+}
 
 export function registerStatusHealthSessionsCommands(program: Command) {
   program
@@ -38,16 +52,13 @@ Examples:
         `\n${theme.muted("Docs:")} ${formatDocsLink("/cli/status", "docs.clawd.bot/cli/status")}\n`,
     )
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      await ensureConfigReady({ runtime: defaultRuntime, migrateState: false });
-      const verbose = Boolean(opts.verbose || opts.debug);
+      const verbose = resolveVerbose(opts);
       setVerbose(verbose);
-      const timeout = parsePositiveIntOrUndefined(opts.timeout);
-      if (opts.timeout !== undefined && timeout === undefined) {
-        defaultRuntime.error("--timeout must be a positive integer (milliseconds)");
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
+      const timeout = parseTimeoutMs(opts.timeout);
+      if (timeout === null) {
         return;
       }
-      try {
+      await runCommandWithRuntime(defaultRuntime, async () => {
         await statusCommand(
           {
             json: Boolean(opts.json),
@@ -59,10 +70,7 @@ Examples:
           },
           defaultRuntime,
         );
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   program
@@ -78,16 +86,13 @@ Examples:
         `\n${theme.muted("Docs:")} ${formatDocsLink("/cli/health", "docs.clawd.bot/cli/health")}\n`,
     )
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      await ensureConfigReady({ runtime: defaultRuntime, migrateState: false });
-      const verbose = Boolean(opts.verbose || opts.debug);
+      const verbose = resolveVerbose(opts);
       setVerbose(verbose);
-      const timeout = parsePositiveIntOrUndefined(opts.timeout);
-      if (opts.timeout !== undefined && timeout === undefined) {
-        defaultRuntime.error("--timeout must be a positive integer (milliseconds)");
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
+      const timeout = parseTimeoutMs(opts.timeout);
+      if (timeout === null) {
         return;
       }
-      try {
+      await runCommandWithRuntime(defaultRuntime, async () => {
         await healthCommand(
           {
             json: Boolean(opts.json),
@@ -96,10 +101,7 @@ Examples:
           },
           defaultRuntime,
         );
-      } catch (err) {
-        defaultRuntime.error(String(err));
-        defaultRuntime.exit(1);
-      }
+      });
     });
 
   program
@@ -126,7 +128,6 @@ Shows token usage per session when the agent reports it; set agents.defaults.con
         `\n${theme.muted("Docs:")} ${formatDocsLink("/cli/sessions", "docs.clawd.bot/cli/sessions")}\n`,
     )
     .action(async (opts) => {
-      await ensureConfigReady({ runtime: defaultRuntime, migrateState: false });
       setVerbose(Boolean(opts.verbose));
       await sessionsCommand(
         {