Greatly simplify error handling in shell scripts

Instead of having detailed error messages, run most
commands through a function that calls err() under
fault conditions.

Where detail is still required, err() is still called
manually. Where it isn't, the error message is simply
whatever command was executed to cause the error.

This results in a massive sloccount reduction for lbmk;
specifically, 178 sloc reduction, or a 8.1% reduction.
The total sloccount is now 2022, for shell scripts.

Signed-off-by: Leah Rowe <leah@libreboot.org>

19 files changed, 278 insertions, 461 deletions

diff --git a/include/blobutil.sh b/include/blobutil.sh
index 51f11de9..3b59ba2e 100755
--- a/include/blobutil.sh
+++ b/include/blobutil.sh
@@ -52,14 +52,14 @@ fetch()
 	_dest="${5##*../}"
 	_dl="${blobdir}/cache/${dlsum}"
 
-	mkdir -p "${_dl%/*}" || err "fetch: !mkdir ${_dl%/*}"
+	x_ mkdir -p "${_dl%/*}"
 
 	dl_fail="y"
 	vendor_checksum "${dlsum}" "${_dl}" && dl_fail="n"
 	for url in "${dl}" "${dl_bkup}"; do
 		[ "${dl_fail}" = "n" ] && break
 		[ -z "${url}" ] && continue
-		rm -f "${_dl}" || err "fetch: !rm -f ${_dl}"
+		x_ rm -f "${_dl}"
 		curl --location --retry 3 -A "${_ua}" "${url}" -o "${_dl}" || \
 		    wget --tries 3 -U "${_ua}" "${url}" -O "${_dl}" || \
 		    continue
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ fetch()
 	[ "${dl_fail}" = "y" ] && \
 		err "fetch ${dlsum}: matched file unavailable"
 
-	rm -Rf "${_dl}_extracted" || err "!rm ${_dl}_extracted"
+	x_ rm -Rf "${_dl}_extracted"
 	mkdirs "${_dest}" "extract_${dl_type}" || return 0
 	eval "extract_${dl_type}"
 
@@ -89,9 +89,9 @@ mkdirs()
 {
 	[ -f "${1}" ] && \
 		printf "mkdirs ${1} ${2}: already downloaded\n" 1>&2 && return 1
-	mkdir -p "${1%/*}" || err "mkdirs ${1} ${2}: !mkdir ${1%/*}"
-	rm -Rf "${appdir}" || err "mkdirs ${1} ${2}: can't remove ${appdir}"
-	mkdir -p "${appdir}/" || err "mkdirs ${1} ${2}: !mkdir ${appdir}"
+	x_ mkdir -p "${1%/*}"
+	x_ rm -Rf "${appdir}"
+	x_ mkdir -p "${appdir}/"
 	extract_archive "${_dl}" "${appdir}" || \
 	    [ "${2}" = "extract_e6400vga" ] || err "mkdirs ${1} ${2}: !extract"
 }
diff --git a/include/err.sh b/include/err.sh
index 9f7c63b0..466e427b 100755
--- a/include/err.sh
+++ b/include/err.sh
@@ -1,6 +1,15 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
 # SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2022, 2023 Leah Rowe <leah@libreboot.org>
 
+xfail=""
+
+x_() {
+	[ $# -lt 1 ] || ${@} || err "${@}"
+}
+xx_() {
+	[ $# -lt 1 ] || ${@} || fail "${@}"
+}
+
 setvars()
 {
 	_setvars=""
diff --git a/include/mrc.sh b/include/mrc.sh
index 21ce5f01..43a59d82 100755
--- a/include/mrc.sh
+++ b/include/mrc.sh
@@ -14,15 +14,14 @@ extract_mrc()
 	_file="${_file%.zip}"
 
 	(
-	cd "${appdir}" || err "extract_mrc: !cd ${appdir}"
+	x_ cd "${appdir}"
 	extract_partition ROOT-A "${_file}" root-a.ext2
 	extract_shellball root-a.ext2 chromeos-firmwareupdate-${MRC_board}
 	extract_coreboot chromeos-firmwareupdate-${MRC_board}
 	)
 
-	"${cbfstool}" "${appdir}/"coreboot-*.bin extract -n mrc.bin \
-	    -f "${_dest}" -r RO_SECTION || \
-	    err "extract_mrc: could not fetch mrc.bin"
+	x_ "${cbfstool}" "${appdir}/"coreboot-*.bin extract -n mrc.bin \
+	    -f "${_dest}" -r RO_SECTION
 }
 
 extract_partition()
@@ -39,9 +38,8 @@ extract_partition()
 	START=$(( $( echo ${ROOTP} | cut -f2 -d\ | tr -d "B" ) ))
 	SIZE=$(( $( echo ${ROOTP} | cut -f4 -d\ | tr -d "B" ) ))
 
-	dd if="${FILE}" of="${ROOTFS}" bs=${_bs} skip=$(( ${START} / ${_bs} )) \
-	    count=$(( ${SIZE} / ${_bs} )) || \
-	    err "extract_partition: can't extract root file system"
+	x_ dd if="${FILE}" of="${ROOTFS}" bs=${_bs} \
+	    skip=$(( ${START} / ${_bs} )) count=$(( ${SIZE} / ${_bs} ))
 }
 
 extract_shellball()
@@ -62,8 +60,7 @@ extract_coreboot()
 	printf "Extracting coreboot image\n"
 	[ -f "${_shellball}" ] || \
 	    err "extract_coreboot: shellball missing in google cros image"
-	sh "${_shellball}" --unpack "${_unpacked}" || \
-	    err "extract_coreboot: shellball exits with non-zero status"
+	x_ sh "${_shellball}" --unpack "${_unpacked}"
 
 	# TODO: audit the f* out of that shellball, for each mrc version.
 	# it has to be updated for each mrc update. we should ideally
@@ -75,6 +72,5 @@ extract_coreboot()
 	_version=$( cat "${_unpacked}/VERSION" | grep BIOS\ version: | \
 	    cut -f2 -d: | tr -d \  )
 
-	cp "${_unpacked}/bios.bin" "coreboot-${_version}.bin" || \
-	    err "extract_coreboot: cannot copy google cros rom"
+	x_ cp "${_unpacked}/bios.bin" "coreboot-${_version}.bin"
 }
diff --git a/include/option.sh b/include/option.sh
index 98f91c51..07ef83c8 100755
--- a/include/option.sh
+++ b/include/option.sh
@@ -38,6 +38,5 @@ scan_config()
 	done << EOF
 	$(eval "awk '${awkstr}' \"${revfile}\"")
 EOF
-	rm -f "${revfile}" || \
-	    "${_fail}" "scan_config: Cannot remove tmpfile"
+	rm -f "${revfile}" || "${_fail}" "scan_config: Cannot remove tmpfile"
 }
diff --git a/lbmk b/lbmk
index 395cd130..5dc59b9c 100755
--- a/lbmk
+++ b/lbmk
@@ -21,9 +21,7 @@ option=""
 
 main()
 {
-	id -u 1>/dev/null 2>/dev/null || \
-	    fail "cannot ascertain user id"
-
+	xx_ id -u 1>/dev/null 2>/dev/null
 	initialise_command $@
 	shift 2
 
@@ -40,8 +38,7 @@ initialise_command()
 	[ $# -lt 1 ] && fail "Too few arguments. Try: ${0} help"
 
 	mode="${1}"
-	[ "${mode}" != "dependencies" ] || \
-		install_packages $@ || fail "Can't install dependencies"
+	[ "${mode}" != "dependencies" ] || xx_ install_packages $@
 	[ "$(id -u)" != "0" ] || \
 		fail "running this command as root is not permitted"
 
@@ -68,8 +65,7 @@ install_packages()
 	aur_notice=""
 	. "config/dependencies/${2}"
 
-	${pkg_add} ${pkglist} || \
-	    fail "install_packages: Error installing dependencies"
+	xx_ ${pkg_add} ${pkglist}
 	[ "${aur_notice}" = "" ] || \
 	    printf "You must install AUR packages: %s\n" "${aur_notice}" 1>&2
 
@@ -79,8 +75,7 @@ install_packages()
 execute_command()
 {
 	if [ "${option}" = "list" ]; then
-		listitems "${buildpath}/${mode}" || \
-		    fail "execute_command: cannot list command options"
+		xx_ listitems "${buildpath}/${mode}"
 		lbmk_exit 0
 	fi
 	[ -f "${buildpath}/${mode}/${option}" ] || \
diff --git a/script/build/boot/roms b/script/build/boot/roms
index edecfc6b..48d55e27 100755
--- a/script/build/boot/roms
+++ b/script/build/boot/roms
@@ -41,8 +41,7 @@ build_bootroms()
 {
 	opts="${_displaymode} ${_payload} ${_keyboard}"
 	for x in ${boards}; do
-		./build boot roms_helper ${opts} ${x} || \
-		    err "handle_targets ${opts} ${x}: build error"
+		x_ ./build boot roms_helper ${opts} ${x}
 		[ -d "bin/${x}" ] && targets="${x} ${targets}"
 	done
 }
diff --git a/script/build/boot/roms_helper b/script/build/boot/roms_helper
index 09b08125..2d185b7d 100755
--- a/script/build/boot/roms_helper
+++ b/script/build/boot/roms_helper
@@ -110,16 +110,15 @@ build_dependencies()
 	cbfstool="cbutils/${tree}/cbfstool"
 	cbrom="${cbdir}/build/coreboot.rom"
 
-	./build coreboot utils ${tree} || err "cannot build cbutils/${tree}"
+	x_ ./build coreboot utils ${tree}
 
 	build_dependency_seabios
 
 	memtest_bin="memtest86plus/build${arch#*_}/memtest.bin"
 	[ "${payload_memtest}" != "y" ] || [ -f "${memtest_bin}" ] || \
-		./handle make file -b ${memtest_bin%/*} || \
-		    err "cannot build memtest86+"
+		x_ ./handle make file -b ${memtest_bin%/*}
 
-	rm -f "${romdir}"/* || err "cannot: rm -f \"${romdir}\"/*"
+	x_ rm -f "${romdir}/"*
 
 	build_dependency_grub
 	build_dependency_uboot
@@ -133,8 +132,7 @@ build_dependency_seabios()
 	    || [ ! -f elf/seabios/default/libgfxinit/bios.bin.elf ] \
 	    || [ ! -f elf/seabios/default/vgarom/bios.bin.elf ] \
 	    || [ ! -f elf/seabios/default/normal/bios.bin.elf ]; then
-		./handle make config -b seabios || \
-		    err "cannot build seabios"
+		x_ ./handle make config -b seabios
 	fi
 }
 
@@ -155,16 +153,14 @@ build_dependency_grub()
 		    rebuild_grub="y" && break
 	done
 	[ "${rebuild_grub}" = "y" ] || return 0
-	./build grub payload || \
-	    err "build_dependency_grub: cannot build grub payload"
+	x_ ./build grub payload
 }
 
 build_dependency_uboot()
 {
 	[ "${payload_uboot}" = "y" ] || return 0
 
-	./handle make config -b u-boot ${board} || \
-	    err "cannot build u-boot target: ${board}"
+	x_ ./handle make config -b u-boot ${board}
 	ubdir="elf/u-boot/${board}/${uboot_config}"
 	ubootelf="${ubdir}/u-boot.elf"
 	[ ! -f "${ubootelf}" ] && [ -f "${ubdir}/u-boot.bin" ] && \
@@ -187,7 +183,7 @@ build_target()
 			    [ "$displaymode" != "txtmode" ] && continue
 			cbcfg="${targetdir}/config/${initmode}_${displaymode}"
 			[ "${initmode}" = "normal" ] && cbcfg="${cbcfg%_*}"
-			build_roms "${cbcfg}"
+			build_roms "${cbcfg}"	
 		done
 	done
 }
@@ -201,26 +197,22 @@ build_roms()
 		    "${cbcfg}" "${board}" "${displaymode}" "${initmode}" \
 		    1>&2 && return 0
 
-	./handle make config -b coreboot ${board} || \
-	    err "build_roms: cannot build coreboot for target: ${board}"
+	x_ ./handle make config -b coreboot ${board}
 
 	_cbrom="elf/coreboot/${board}/${initmode}_${displaymode}"
 	[ "${initmode}" = "normal" ] && \
 		_cbrom="${_cbrom%_${displaymode}}"
 	_cbrom="${_cbrom}/coreboot.rom"
 	cbrom="$(mktemp -t coreboot_rom.XXXXXXXXXX)"
-	cp "${_cbrom}" "${cbrom}" || \
-	    err "build_roms: cannot copy rom"
+	x_ cp "${_cbrom}" "${cbrom}"
 
 	[ "${payload_memtest}" != "y" ] || \
-		"${cbfstool}" "${cbrom}" add-payload \
-		    -f "${memtest_bin}" -n img/memtest -c lzma || \
-		    err "build_roms: cannot add img/memtest to coreboot rom"
+		x_ "${cbfstool}" "${cbrom}" add-payload \
+		    -f "${memtest_bin}" -n img/memtest -c lzma
 	[ "${payload_seabios}" = "y" ] && \
 		build_seabios_roms
 	[ "${payload_grub}" != "y" ] || \
-		build_grub_roms "${cbrom}" "grub" || \
-		    err "build_roms: build_grub_roms failed"
+		x_ build_grub_roms "${cbrom}" "grub"
 	[ "${payload_uboot}" = "y" ] || return 0
 	build_uboot_roms
 }
@@ -229,68 +221,57 @@ build_seabios_roms()
 {
 	if [ "${payload_seabios_withgrub}" = "y" ]; then
 		tmprom=$(mktemp -t coreboot_rom.XXXXXXXXXX)
-		cp "${cbrom}" "${tmprom}" || \
-		    err "build_seabios_roms: cannot copy to tmprom"
-		build_grub_roms "${tmprom}" "seabios_withgrub" || \
-		    err "build_roms: cannot build grub roms, seabios w/grub"
-		rm -f "${tmprom}" || err "build_roms: can't remove tmprom"
+		x_ cp "${cbrom}" "${tmprom}"
+		x_ build_grub_roms "${tmprom}" "seabios_withgrub"
+		x_ rm -f "${tmprom}"
 	else
 		t=$(mkSeabiosRom "${cbrom}" "fallback/payload") || \
 		    err "build_seabios_roms: cannot build tmprom"
 		newrom="${romdir}/seabios_${board}_${initmode}_${displaymode}"
 		[ "${initmode}" = "normal" ] && newrom="${romdir}/seabios" \
 			&& newrom="${newrom}_${board}_${initmode}"
-		moverom "${t}" "${newrom}.rom" || \
-		    err "build_roms: cannot copy rom"
-		rm -f "${t}" || err "cannot rm ${t}"
+		x_ moverom "${t}" "${newrom}.rom"
+		x_ rm -f "${t}"
 	fi
-
 }
 
 # Make separate ROM images with GRUB payload, for each supported keymap
-build_grub_roms() {
+build_grub_roms()
+{
 	tmprom="${1}"
 	payload1="${2}" # allow values: grub, seabios, seabios_withgrub
 	grub_cbfs="fallback/payload"
 
 	if [ "${payload_grub_withseabios}" = "y" ] && \
 	    [ "${payload1}" = "grub" ]; then
-		mv "$(mkSeabiosRom "${tmprom}" "seabios.elf")" "${tmprom}" || \
-		    err "build_grub_roms: cannot move tmp rom (seabios.elf)"
+		x_ mv "$(mkSeabiosRom "${tmprom}" "seabios.elf")" "${tmprom}"
 	elif [ "${payload_seabios_withgrub}" = "y" ] && \
 	    [ "${payload1}" != "grub" ]; then
-		mv "$(mkSeabiosRom "${tmprom}" fallback/payload)" "${tmprom}" \
-		    || err "build_grub_roms: cannot move SeaBIOS ROM to tmprom"
+		x_ mv "$(mkSeabiosRom "${tmprom}" fallback/payload)" "${tmprom}"
 		grub_cbfs="img/grub2"
 	fi
 
 	# we only need insert grub.elf once, for each coreboot config:
-	"${cbfstool}" "${tmprom}" add-payload -f "${grubelf}" -n ${grub_cbfs} \
-	    -c lzma || err "build_grub_roms: cannot add grub payload to tmprom"
+	x_ "${cbfstool}" "${tmprom}" add-payload -f "${grubelf}" \
+	    -n ${grub_cbfs} -c lzma
 
 	# we only need insert background.png once, for each coreboot config:
 	if [ "${displaymode}" = "vesafb" ] || \
 	    [ "${displaymode}" = "corebootfb" ]; then
 		backgroundfile="config/grub/background/${grub_background}"
-		"${cbfstool}" "${tmprom}" add -f ${backgroundfile} \
-		    -n background.png -t raw || \
-		    err "build_grub_roms: cannot add background.png to tmprom"
-
+		x_ "${cbfstool}" "${tmprom}" add -f ${backgroundfile} \
+		    -n background.png -t raw
 	fi
 
 	tmpcfg=$(mktemp -t coreboot_rom.XXXXXXXXXX) || 
 	    err "build_grub_roms: cannot create temporary scan.cfg"
-	printf "set grub_scan_disk=\"%s\"\n" "${grub_scan_disk}" > \
-	    "${tmpcfg}" || err "build_grub_roms: cannot create scan.cfg"
+	x_ printf "set grub_scan_disk=\"%s\"\n" "${grub_scan_disk}" >"${tmpcfg}"
 	[ "${grub_scan_disk}" = "both" ] || \
-		"${cbfstool}" "${tmprom}" add -f "${tmpcfg}" -n scan.cfg -t \
-		    raw || err "build_grub_roms: can't insert scan.cfg"
-	printf "set timeout=%s\n" "${grub_timeout}" > "${tmpcfg}" || \
-	    err "build_grub_roms: can't create timeout.cfg"
-	[ -z "${grub_timeout}" ] || \
-		"${cbfstool}" "${tmprom}" add -f "${tmpcfg}" -n timeout.cfg \
-		    -t raw || err "build_grub_roms: can't insert timeout.cfg"
-	rm -f "${tmpcfg}" || err "build_grub_roms: can't delete tmpcfg"
+	    x_ "${cbfstool}" "${tmprom}" add -f "${tmpcfg}" -n scan.cfg -t raw
+	x_ printf "set timeout=%s\n" "${grub_timeout}" > "${tmpcfg}"
+	[ -z "${grub_timeout}" ] || x_ "${cbfstool}" "${tmprom}" add \
+	    -f "${tmpcfg}" -n timeout.cfg -t raw
+	x_ rm -f "${tmpcfg}"
 
 	keymaps=""
 	for kmapfile in "${kmapdir}"/*; do
@@ -309,9 +290,8 @@ build_grub_roms() {
 		[ "${initmode}" = "normal" ] && \
 			newrom="${romdir}/${payload1}_${board}_" && \
 			newrom="${newrom}${initmode}_${keymap}.rom"
-		moverom "${tmpgrubrom}" "${newrom}" || \
-		    err "build_grub_roms, moverom"
-		rm -f "${tmpgrubrom}" || err "rm tmpgrubrom, build_grub_roms"
+		x_ moverom "${tmpgrubrom}" "${newrom}"
+		x_ rm -f "${tmpgrubrom}"
 	done
 }
 
@@ -324,9 +304,8 @@ mkGrubRom() {
 
 	tmprom=$(mktemp -t coreboot_rom.XXXXXXXXXX) || \
 	    err "mkGrubRom: cannot create tmprom"
-	cp "${_cbrom}" "${tmprom}" || err "mkGrubRom: cannot copy to tmprom"
-	"${cbfstool}" "${tmprom}" add -f "${keymapcfg}" -n keymap.cfg -t raw \
-	    || err "mkGrubRom: cannot add keymap.cfg to tmprom"
+	x_ cp "${_cbrom}" "${tmprom}"
+	x_ "${cbfstool}" "${tmprom}" add -f "${keymapcfg}" -n keymap.cfg -t raw
 
 	printf "%s\n" "${tmprom}"
 }
@@ -339,23 +318,17 @@ mkSeabiosRom() {
 	_seabioself="elf/seabios/default/${initmode}/bios.bin.elf"
 	tmprom=$(mktemp -t coreboot_rom.XXXXXXXXXX)
 
-	cp "${_cbrom}" "${tmprom}" || \
-	    err "mkSeabiosRom: cannot copy to tmprom"
-	"${cbfstool}" "${tmprom}" add-payload -f "${_seabioself}" \
-	    -n ${_seabios_cbfs_path} -c lzma || \
-	    err "mkSeabiosRom: can't add payload, ${_seabioself}, to rom"
-	"${cbfstool}" "${tmprom}" add-int -i 3000 -n etc/ps2-keyboard-spinup \
-	    || err "mkSeabiosRom: cbfs add-int etc/ps2-keyboard-spinup 3000"
+	x_ cp "${_cbrom}" "${tmprom}"
+	x_ "${cbfstool}" "${tmprom}" add-payload -f "${_seabioself}" \
+	    -n ${_seabios_cbfs_path} -c lzma
+	x_ "${cbfstool}" "${tmprom}" add-int -i 3000 -n etc/ps2-keyboard-spinup
 
 	z="2"; [ "${initmode}" = "vgarom" ] && z="0"
-	"${cbfstool}" "${tmprom}" add-int -i $z -n etc/pci-optionrom-exec || \
-	    err "mkSeabiosRom: cbfs add-int etc/pci-optionrom-exec 0"
-	"${cbfstool}" "${tmprom}" add-int -i 0 -n etc/optionroms-checksum || \
-	    err "mkSeabiosRom: cbfs add-int etc/optionroms-checksum 0"
+	x_ "${cbfstool}" "${tmprom}" add-int -i $z -n etc/pci-optionrom-exec
+	x_ "${cbfstool}" "${tmprom}" add-int -i 0 -n etc/optionroms-checksum
 	[ "${initmode}" != "libgfxinit" ] || \
-		"${cbfstool}" "${tmprom}" add -f "${seavgabiosrom}" \
-		    -n vgaroms/seavgabios.bin -t raw || \
-		    err "mkSeabiosRom: cbfs add-raw vgaroms/seavgabios.bin"
+		x_ "${cbfstool}" "${tmprom}" add -f "${seavgabiosrom}" \
+		    -n vgaroms/seavgabios.bin -t raw
 
 	printf "%s\n" "${tmprom}"
 }
@@ -366,9 +339,8 @@ build_uboot_roms()
 	newrom="${romdir}/uboot_payload_${board}_${initmode}_${displaymode}.rom"
 	[ "${initmode}" = "normal" ] && \
 		newrom="${romdir}/uboot_payload_${board}_${initmode}.rom"
-	moverom "${tmprom}" "${newrom}" || \
-	    err "build_roms: moverom fail (u-boot)"
-	rm -f "${tmprom}" || err "build_roms: cannot rm u-boot rom"
+	x_ moverom "${tmprom}" "${newrom}"
+	x_ rm -f "${tmprom}"
 }
 
 # make a rom in /tmp/ and then print the path of that ROM
@@ -384,11 +356,9 @@ mkUbootRom() {
 
 	tmprom=$(mktemp -t coreboot_rom.XXXXXXXXXX)
 
-	cp "${_cbrom}" "${tmprom}" || \
-	    err "mkUbootRom: cannot copy to tmprom"
-	"${cbfstool}" "${tmprom}" add-payload -f "${_ubootelf}" \
-	    -n ${_uboot_cbfs_path} -c lzma || \
-	    err "mkUbootRom: cannot add u-boot to tmprom"
+	x_ cp "${_cbrom}" "${tmprom}"
+	x_ "${cbfstool}" "${tmprom}" add-payload -f "${_ubootelf}" \
+	    -n ${_uboot_cbfs_path} -c lzma
 
 	printf "%s\n" "${tmprom}"
 }
@@ -401,10 +371,9 @@ moverom() {
 
 	printf "Creating target image: %s\n" "${newrom}"
 
-	[ -d "${newrom%/*}" ] || mkdir -p "${newrom%/*}/" || \
-	    err "moverom: cannot create rom directory: \"${newrom%/*}\""
+	[ -d "${newrom%/*}" ] || x_ mkdir -p "${newrom%/*}/"
 	[ "${blobs_required}" = "n" ] && newrom="${newrom%.rom}_noblobs.rom"
-	cp "${rompath}" "${newrom}" || err "moverom: can't copy rom"
+	x_ cp "${rompath}" "${newrom}"
 }
 
 main $@
diff --git a/script/build/coreboot/utils b/script/build/coreboot/utils
index 8498897a..9dddc440 100755
--- a/script/build/coreboot/utils
+++ b/script/build/coreboot/utils
@@ -13,14 +13,12 @@ main()
 
 	if [ $# -gt 0 ]; then
 		for board in "${@}"; do
-			build_for_mainboard ${board} || \
-			    err "cannot build cbutils for target, ${board}"
+			x_ build_for_mainboard ${board}
 		done
 	else
 		for boarddir in config/coreboot/*; do
 			[ ! -d "${boarddir}" ] && continue
-			build_for_mainboard ${boarddir##*/} || \
-			    err "cannot build cbutils for target, ${board}"
+			x_ build_for_mainboard ${boarddir##*/}
 		done
 	fi
 }
@@ -28,36 +26,29 @@ main()
 build_for_mainboard() {
 	board="${1}"
 	[ -d "config/coreboot/${board}" ] || \
-	    err "build_for_mainboard ${board}: boarddir does not exist"
+		err "build_for_mainboard ${board}: boarddir does not exist"
 	[ -f "config/coreboot/${board}/target.cfg" ] || \
-	    err "build_for_mainboard ${board}: target.cfg does not exist"
+		err "build_for_mainboard ${board}: target.cfg does not exist"
 	tree="undefined"
 	. "config/coreboot/${board}/target.cfg" # source
 	[ "${tree}" = "undefined" ] && \
-	    err "build_for_mainboard: improper tree definition for '${board}'"
+		err "build_for_mainboard ${board}: improper tree definition"
 	buildutils "${tree}"
 }
 
 buildutils() {
 	tree="${1}"
 	[ -d "coreboot/${tree}/" ] || \
-		./update project trees coreboot $tree || \
-		    err "buildutils: cannot fetch ${tree}"
+		x_ ./update project trees coreboot ${tree}
 	for util in cbfstool ifdtool; do
 		[ -f "cbutils/${tree}/${util}" ] && continue
-		[ -d "cbutils/${tree}" ] || \
-			mkdir -p "cbutils/${tree}" || \
-			    err "buildutils: can't mkdir cbutils/${tree}"
+		[ -d "cbutils/${tree}" ] || x_ mkdir -p "cbutils/${tree}"
 
 		utildir="coreboot/${tree}/util/${util}"
-		make distclean -C "${utildir}" || \
-		    err "buildutils: cannot clean ${utildir}"
-		make -j$(nproc) -C "${utildir}" || \
-		    err "buildutils: cannot build ${utildir}"
-		cp "${utildir}/${util}" "cbutils/${tree}" || \
-		    err "buildutils: can't cp ${util} cbutils/${tree}/"
-		make distclean -C "${utildir}" || \
-		    err "buildutils: can't clean ${utildir}"
+		x_ make distclean -C "${utildir}"
+		x_ make -j$(nproc) -C "${utildir}"
+		x_ cp "${utildir}/${util}" "cbutils/${tree}"
+		x_ make distclean -C "${utildir}"
 	done
 }
 
diff --git a/script/build/fw/serprog b/script/build/fw/serprog
index 211948ac..cdbf07e1 100755
--- a/script/build/fw/serprog
+++ b/script/build/fw/serprog
@@ -28,8 +28,7 @@ main()
 	else
 		err "${usage}"
 	fi
-	mkdir -p "bin/serprog_${platform}" || \
-	    err "can't create dir: bin/serprog_${platform}"
+	x_ mkdir -p "bin/serprog_${platform}"
 
 	if [ $# -gt 1 ] ; then
 		if [ "${2}" = "list" ] ; then
@@ -47,20 +46,18 @@ main()
 
 fetch_repo()
 {
-	./update project repo "${1}" || err "fetch ${1} failed!\n"
+	x_ ./update project repo "${1}"
 }
 
 build_rp2040_rom()
 {
 	board=${1}
 	printf "Building pico-serprog for ${board}\n"
-	cmake -DPICO_BOARD="${board}" -DPICO_SDK_PATH="${pico_sdk_dir}" \
-	      -B "${pico_src_dir}/build" "${pico_src_dir}" \
-		|| err "can't cmake ${pico_src_dir}"
-	cmake --build "${pico_src_dir}/build"
-	mv ${pico_src_dir}/build/pico_serprog.uf2 \
-	   bin/serprog_rp2040/serprog_${board}.uf2 \
-		|| err "${board} serprog build failed!"
+	x_ cmake -DPICO_BOARD="${board}" -DPICO_SDK_PATH="${pico_sdk_dir}" \
+	    -B "${pico_src_dir}/build" "${pico_src_dir}"
+	x_ cmake --build "${pico_src_dir}/build"
+	x_ mv ${pico_src_dir}/build/pico_serprog.uf2 \
+	   bin/serprog_rp2040/serprog_${board}.uf2
 	printf "output to bin/serprog_rp2040/serprog_${board}.uf2\n"
 }
 
@@ -68,11 +65,10 @@ build_stm32_rom()
 {
 	board=${1}
 	printf "Building stm32-vserprog for ${board}\n"
-	make -C ${stm32_src_dir} libopencm3-just-make BOARD=${board}
-	make -C ${stm32_src_dir} BOARD=${board}
-	mv ${stm32_src_dir}/stm32-vserprog.hex \
-	   bin/serprog_stm32/serprog_${board}.hex \
-		|| err "${board} serprog build failed!"
+	x_ make -C ${stm32_src_dir} libopencm3-just-make BOARD=${board}
+	x_ make -C ${stm32_src_dir} BOARD=${board}
+	x_ mv ${stm32_src_dir}/stm32-vserprog.hex \
+	   bin/serprog_stm32/serprog_${board}.hex
 	printf "output to bin/serprog_stm32/serprog_${board}.hex\n"
 }
 
diff --git a/script/build/grub/payload b/script/build/grub/payload
index 6f4c421a..a1bb3554 100755
--- a/script/build/grub/payload
+++ b/script/build/grub/payload
@@ -22,16 +22,12 @@ main()
 handle_dependencies()
 {
 	[ -d "grub/" ] || \
-		./update project repo grub || \
-		    err "handle_dependencies: cannot fetch grub"
+		x_ ./update project repo grub
 	[ -f "grub/grub-mkstandalone" ] || \
-		./build grub utils || \
-		    err "handle_dependencies: cannot build grub utils"
+		x_ ./build grub utils
 	[ -d "${elfdir}" ] || \
-		mkdir -p "${elfdir}" || \
-		    err "handle_dependencies: cannot mkdir ${elfdir}"
-	rm -f "${elfdir}/"* || \
-	    err "handle_dependencies: cannot rm inside: ${elfdir}/"
+		x_ mkdir -p "${elfdir}"
+	x_ rm -f "${elfdir}/"*
 }
 
 build_keymap_configs()
@@ -40,9 +36,8 @@ build_keymap_configs()
 		[ -f "${keylayoutfile}" ] || continue
 		keymap="${keylayoutfile##${grubcfgsdir}/keymap/}"
 		keymap="${keymap%.gkb}"
-		printf "keymap %s\n" "${keymap}" > \
-		    "${elfdir}/keymap_${keymap}.cfg" || \
-		    err "mk_keymap: can't make ${elfdir}/keymap_${keymap}.cfg"
+		x_ printf "keymap %s\n" "${keymap}" > \
+		    "${elfdir}/keymap_${keymap}.cfg"
 	done
 }
 
diff --git a/script/build/grub/utils b/script/build/grub/utils
index 3c463e6d..edb78bb1 100755
--- a/script/build/grub/utils
+++ b/script/build/grub/utils
@@ -10,25 +10,19 @@ set -u -e
 
 main()
 {
-	[ -d "grub/" ] || ./update project repo grub || err "cannot fetch grub"
+	[ -d "grub/" ] || x_ ./update project repo grub
 	build_grub
 }
 
 build_grub()
 {
 	(
-	cd grub/ || \
-	    err "build_grub: cd"
-	[ ! -d Makefile ] || make distclean || \
-	    err "build_grub: make-distclean"
-	./bootstrap --gnulib-srcdir=gnulib/ --no-git || \
-	    err "build_grub: gnulib bootstrap"
-	./autogen.sh || \
-	    err "build_grub: autogen.sh"
-	./configure --with-platform=coreboot || \
-	    err "build_grub: autoconf"
-	make -j$(nproc) FS_PAYLOAD_MODULES="" || \
-	    err "build_grub: make"
+	x_ cd grub/
+	[ ! -d Makefile ] || x_ make distclean
+	x_ ./bootstrap --gnulib-srcdir=gnulib/ --no-git
+	x_ ./autogen.sh
+	x_ ./configure --with-platform=coreboot
+	x_ make -j$(nproc) FS_PAYLOAD_MODULES=""
 	)
 }
 
diff --git a/script/build/release/roms b/script/build/release/roms
index 026f4eae..50560f98 100755
--- a/script/build/release/roms
+++ b/script/build/release/roms
@@ -38,41 +38,33 @@ init_check()
 	[ ! -d "bin/" ] && \
 		err "init_check: no ROMs built yet (error)"
 	[ -d "release/" ] || \
-		mkdir -p release/ || \
-		    err "init_check: !mkdir -p release/"
+		x_ mkdir -p release/
 	[ -d "release/${version}/" ] || \
-		mkdir -p "release/${version}/" || \
-		    err "init_check: !mkdir -p release/${version}/"
+		x_ mkdir -p "release/${version}/"
 	[ ! -d "release/${version}/roms/" ] || \
-		rm -Rf "release/${version}/roms/" || \
-		    err "init_check: !rm -Rf release/${version}/roms/"
+		x_ rm -Rf "release/${version}/roms/"
 	[ -d "release/${version}/roms/" ] && return 0
-	mkdir -p "release/${version}/roms/" || \
-	    err "init_check: !mkdir -p release/${version}/roms/"
+	x_ mkdir -p "release/${version}/roms/"
 }
 
 make_archive()
 {
 	builddir="${1}"
-	romdir="tmp/romdir" || \
-	    err "make_archive: cannot create tmpdir"
-	rm -Rf "${romdir}" || err "make_archive: can't remove tmpdir"
+	romdir="tmp/romdir"
+	x_ rm -Rf "${romdir}"
 	target="${builddir##*/}"
 
 	if [ ! -f "config/coreboot/${target}/target.cfg" ]; then
 		# No config, just make a tarball
 		tarball=release/${version}/roms/${target}_${version}.tar.xz
-		tar -c "${builddir}" | xz -T0 -6 > ${tarball} || \
-			(rm ${tarball}
-			 err "make_archive: cannot make \"${tarball}\"")
+		x_ tar -c "${builddir}" | xz -T0 -6 > ${tarball} || \
+		    x_ rm -f ${tarball}
 		return 0
 	fi
 
 	romdir="${romdir}/bin/${target}"
-	mkdir -p "${romdir}" || \
-	    err "make_archive: can't mkdir tmpdir"
-	cp "${builddir}"/* "${romdir}" || \
-	    err "make_archive: cannot copy ROM images directory -> ${romdir}"
+	x_ mkdir -p "${romdir}"
+	x_ cp "${builddir}"/* "${romdir}"
 
 	printf "%s\n" "${target}"
 
@@ -97,24 +89,18 @@ make_archive()
 
 	printf "Generating release/%s/roms/%s-%s_%s.tar.xz\n" \
 	    "${version}" "${projectname}" "${version}" "${target##*/}"
-	printf "%s\n" "${version}" > "${romdir}/version" || \
-	    err "make_archive: can't create ${romdir}/version"
-	printf "%s\n" "${versiondate}" > "${romdir}/versiondate" || \
-	    err "make_archive: can't create ${romdir}/versiondate"
-	printf "%s\n" "${projectname}" > "${romdir}/projectname" || \
-	    err "make_archive: can't create ${romdir}/projectname"
+	x_ printf "%s\n" "${version}" > "${romdir}/version"
+	x_ printf "%s\n" "${versiondate}" > "${romdir}/versiondate"
+	x_ printf "%s\n" "${projectname}" > "${romdir}/projectname"
 
 	archivename="${projectname}-${version}_${target##*/}"
 	f="release/${version}/roms/${archivename}"
 	(
-	cd "${romdir%/bin/${target}}" || err "make_archive: can't cd to tmpdir"
-	tar -c "bin/${target}/" | xz -T0 -9e > "${archivename}.tar.xz" || \
-	    err "make_archive:cant make ${projectname}-${version}_${target##*/}"
+	x_ cd "${romdir%/bin/${target}}"
+	x_ tar -c "bin/${target}/" | xz -T0 -9e > "${archivename}.tar.xz"
 	)
-	mv "${romdir%/bin/${target}}/${archivename}.tar.xz" "${f}.tar.xz" || \
-	    err "make_archive: can't copy tarball"
-	rm -Rf "${romdir%/bin/${target}}" || \
-	    err "make_archive: can't delete tmpdir"
+	x_ mv "${romdir%/bin/${target}}/${archivename}.tar.xz" "${f}.tar.xz"
+	x_ rm -Rf "${romdir%/bin/${target}}"
 }
 
 strip_archive()
@@ -122,10 +108,8 @@ strip_archive()
 	romdir=${1}
 
 	[ -d "coreboot/${tree}" ] || \
-		./update project trees coreboot ${tree} || \
-		    err "strip_archive: coreboot/${tree}: can't fetch source"
-	./build coreboot utils ${tree} || \
-	    err "strip_archive: coreboot/${tree}: can't build utils"
+		x_ ./update project trees coreboot ${tree}
+	x_ ./build coreboot utils ${tree}
 
 	if [ "${microcode_required}" = "n" ]; then
 		for romfile in "${romdir}"/*.rom; do
@@ -134,21 +118,17 @@ strip_archive()
 		done
 		for romfile in "${romdir}"/*.tmprom; do
 			[ -f "${romfile}" ] || continue
-			mv "${romfile}" "${romfile%.tmprom}.rom" || \
-			    err "can't make no-u rom: ${romfile%.tmprom}.rom"
+			x_ mv "${romfile}" "${romfile%.tmprom}.rom"
 		done
 	fi
 
 	# Hash the rom before removing blobs
-	rm -f "${romdir}/blobhashes" || \
-	    err "strip_archive: !rm -f ${blobdir}/blobhashes"
-	touch "${romdir}/blobhashes" || \
-	    err "strip_archive: !touch ${blobdir}/blobhashes"
+	x_ rm -f "${romdir}/blobhashes"
+	x_ touch "${romdir}/blobhashes"
 
 	(
-	cd "${romdir}" || err "strip_archive: !cd ${romdir}"
-	sha512sum *.rom >> blobhashes || \
-	    err "strip_archive: ${romdir}: !sha512sum *.rom >> blobhashes"
+	x_ cd "${romdir}"
+	x_ sha512sum *.rom >> blobhashes
 	)
 
 	for romfile in "${romdir}"/*.rom; do
@@ -161,40 +141,32 @@ strip_ucode()
 {
 	romfile=${1}
 	_newrom_b="${romfile%.rom}_nomicrocode.tmprom"
-	cp "${romfile}" "${_newrom_b}" || \
-	    err "strip_rom_image: cp \"${romfile}\" \"${_newrom_b}\""
+	x_ cp "${romfile}" "${_newrom_b}"
 	microcode_present="y"
 	"${cbfstool}" "${_newrom_b}" remove -n \
 	    cpu_microcode_blob.bin 2>/dev/null || microcode_present="n"
 	[ "${microcode_present}" = "n" ] || return 0
 	printf "REMARK: '%s' already lacks microcode\n" "${romfile}" 1>&2
 	printf "Renaming default ROM file instead.\n" 1>&2
-	mv "${romfile}" "${_newrom_b}" || \
-	    err "strip_rom_image: can't rename no-u ${romfile}"
+	x_ mv "${romfile}" "${_newrom_b}"
 }
 
 strip_rom_image()
 {
 	[ -f "${1}" ] || return 0
 	[ "${CONFIG_HAVE_ME_BIN}" != "y" ] || \
-		"${ifdtool}" --nuke me "${1}" -O "${1}" || \
-		    err "strip_rom_images: ${1}: cannot nuke Intel ME"
+		x_ "${ifdtool}" --nuke me "${1}" -O "${1}"
 	[ "${CONFIG_HAVE_MRC}" != "y" ] || \
-		"${cbfstool}" "${1}" remove -n mrc.bin || \
-		    err "strip_rom_images: ${1}: cannot nuke mrc.bin"
+		x_ "${cbfstool}" "${1}" remove -n mrc.bin
 	[ "${CONFIG_INCLUDE_SMSC_SCH5545_EC_FW}" != "y" ] || \
-		"${cbfstool}" "${1}" remove -n sch5545_ecfw.bin || \
-		    err "strip_rom_images: ${1}: can't nuke sch5545ec fw"
+		x_ "${cbfstool}" "${1}" remove -n sch5545_ecfw.bin
 	if [ "${CONFIG_KBC1126_FIRMWARE}" = "y" ]; then
-		"${cbfstool}" "${1}" remove -n ecfw1.bin || \
-		    err "strip_rom_images: ${1}: can't nuke ecfw1.bin"
-		"${cbfstool}" "${1}" remove -n ecfw2.bin || \
-		    err "strip_rom_images: ${1}: can't nuke ecfw2.bin"
+		x_ "${cbfstool}" "${1}" remove -n ecfw1.bin
+		x_ "${cbfstool}" "${1}" remove -n ecfw2.bin
 	fi
 	# TODO: replace this board-specific hack
 	[ "${target}" = "e6400_4mb" ] || return 0
-	"${cbfstool}" "${1}" remove -n "pci10de,06eb.rom" || \
-	    err "strip_rom_images: ${1}: can't nuke e6400 vga rom"
+	x_ "${cbfstool}" "${1}" remove -n "pci10de,06eb.rom"
 }
 
 main $@
diff --git a/script/build/release/src b/script/build/release/src
index 74854879..736276b4 100755
--- a/script/build/release/src
+++ b/script/build/release/src
@@ -45,31 +45,23 @@ create_release_directory()
 	dirname="${projectname}-${version}_src"
 	srcdir="${reldir}/${dirname}"
 
-	[ -d "release/" ] || mkdir -p release/ || \
-	    err "create_release_directory: !mkdir -p release/"
-	[ -d "${reldir}/" ] || mkdir -p "${reldir}/" || \
-	    err "create_release_directory: !mkdir -p ${reldir}/"
-	[ ! -d "${srcdir}/" ] || rm -Rf "${srcdir}/" || \
-	    err "create_release_directory: !rm -Rf ${srcdir}/"
+	[ -d "release/" ] || x_ mkdir -p release/
+	[ -d "${reldir}/" ] || x_ mkdir -p "${reldir}/"
+	[ ! -d "${srcdir}/" ] || x_ rm -Rf "${srcdir}/"
 	[ ! -f "${srcdir}.tar.xz" ] || \
-		rm -f "${srcdir}.tar.xz/" || \
-		    err "create_release_directory: !rm -f ${srcdir}.tar.xz/"
+		x_ rm -f "${srcdir}.tar.xz/"
 
-	mkdir -p "${srcdir}/" || \
-	    err "create_release_directory: !mkdir -p ${srcdir}/"
-	printf "%s" "${version}" > "${srcdir}"/version || \
-	    err "create_release_directory: ${srcdir}/version: can't create file"
+	x_ mkdir -p "${srcdir}/"
+	x_ printf "%s" "${version}" > "${srcdir}"/version
 }
 
 download_modules()
 {
 	for modname in ${trees_fetch_list}; do
-		[ -d "${modname}" ] || ./update project trees ${modname} || \
-		    err "download_modules: couldn't download ${modname} trees"
+		[ -d "${modname}" ] || x_ ./update project trees ${modname}
 	done
 	for modname in ${simple_fetch_list} ${download_only_list}; do
-		[ -d "${modname}/" ] || ./update project repo ${modname} || \
-		    err "download_modules: couldn't download ${modname} repo"
+		[ -d "${modname}/" ] || x_ ./update project repo ${modname}
 	done
 }
 
@@ -80,34 +72,27 @@ copy_files()
 		for subdir in "${dir}"/*; do
 			[ -d "${subdir}" ] || continue
 			[ "${subdir##*/}" = "${dir}" ] && continue
-			mkdir -p "${srcdir}/${dir}" || \
-			    err "copy_files: !mkdir -p ${srcdir}/${dir}"
+			x_ mkdir -p "${srcdir}/${dir}"
 			[ ! -d "${srcdir}/${dir}/${subdir##*/}" ] || \
-			    rm -Rf "${srcdir}/${dir}/${subdir##*/}" || \
-			    err "copy_f:can't rm ${srcdir}/${dir}/${subdir##*/}"
-			cp -R "${subdir}" "${srcdir}/${dir}/${subdir##*/}" || \
-			    err "copy_f:can't cp ${srcdir}/${dir}/${subdir##*/}"
+			    x_ rm -Rf "${srcdir}/${dir}/${subdir##*/}"
+			x_ cp -R "${subdir}" "${srcdir}/${dir}/${subdir##*/}"
 		done
 	done
 	for dir in ${simple_fetch_list} ${dirlist}; do
-		cp -R "${dir}/" "${srcdir}/" || \
-		    err "copy_files: !cp -R ${dir}/ ${srcdir}/"
+		x_ cp -R "${dir}/" "${srcdir}/"
 	done
 
 	for i in ${filelist}; do
 		if [ ! -f "${i}" ]; then
-			rm -Rf "${srcdir}" || \
-			    err "copy_files: !rm -Rf ${srcdir}"
+			x_ rm -Rf "${srcdir}"
 			err "copy_files: file '${i}' does not exist"
 		fi
-		cp "${i}" "${srcdir}/" || \
-		    err "copy_files: !cp ${i} ${srcdir}/"
+		x_ cp "${i}" "${srcdir}/"
 	done
 	(
-	cd "${srcdir}/" || err "copy_files: can't enter dir: ${srcdir}/"
+	x_ cd "${srcdir}/"
 	for i in ${linklist}; do
-		ln -s lbmk "${i}" || \
-		    err "copy_files: cannot create symlink: ${i} -> lbmk"
+		x_ ln -s lbmk "${i}"
 	done
 	)
 }
@@ -115,55 +100,40 @@ copy_files()
 purge_files()
 {
 	(
-	cd "${srcdir}/" || err "purge_files 3: !cd ${srcdir}/"
+	x_ cd "${srcdir}/"
 	[ ! -d "coreboot/default/util/kbc1126" ] || \
-	    ./handle make file -c "coreboot/default/util/kbc1126" || \
-	    err "purge_files 1: default/util/kbc1126: ! make clean"
-	./handle make config -x coreboot || \
-	    err "purge_files: coreboot: cannot clean crossgcc files"
+		x_ ./handle make file -c "coreboot/default/util/kbc1126"
+	x_ ./handle make config -x coreboot
 	for p in u-boot seabios coreboot; do
-		./handle make config -c "${p}" || \
-		    err "purge_files: ${p}: cannot clean the source trees"
+		x_ ./handle make config -c "${p}"
 	done
 	for p in bios_extract flashrom grub uefitool; do
-		./handle make file -c "${p}" || \
-		    err "purge_files: !./handle make file -c ${p}"
+		x_ ./handle make file -c "${p}"
 	done
 	for p in "stm32-vserprog" "stm32-vserprog/libopencm3"; do
-		./handle make file -c "util-fw/${p}" || \
-		    err "purge_files !./handle make file util-fw/${p}"
+		x_ ./handle make file -c "util-fw/${p}"
 	done
 	for p in 32 64; do
-		./handle make file -c "memtest86plus/build${p}" || \
-		    err "purge_files: cannot clean memtest86+ build${p}"
+		x_ ./handle make file -c "memtest86plus/build${p}"
 	done
 	for p in "nvmutil" "spkmodem_recv" "e6400-flash-unlock"; do
-		make clean -C "util/${p}" || \
-		    err "purge_files 2: !make clean -C ${util}/p"
+		x_ make clean -C "util/${p}"
 	done
 	for p in ${trees_fetch_list}; do
-		rm -Rf "${p}/${p}" "${p}"/*/.git* || \
-		    err "purge_files 1: cannot clean ${p} project files"
+		x_ rm -Rf "${p}/${p}" "${p}"/*/.git*
 	done
-	rm -Rf .git* */.git* */*/.git* */*/*/.git* */*/*/*/.git* \
-	    */*/*/*/*/.git* */*/*/*/*/*/.git* */*/*/*/*/*/*/.git* || \
-	    err "purge_files rm-rf2: can't purge .git files/directories"
-	rm -Rf cbutils || err "purge_files: can't remove ${srcdir}/cbutils/"
-	rm -Rf elf || err "purge_files: can't remove ${srcdir}/elf/"
-	rm -Rf util-fw/rp2040/pico-serprog/build || \
-	    err "purge_files: can't remove pico-serprog/build"
+	x_ rm -Rf .git* */.git* */*/.git* */*/*/.git* */*/*/*/.git* \
+	    */*/*/*/*/.git* */*/*/*/*/*/.git* */*/*/*/*/*/*/.git*
+	x_ rm -Rf cbutils elf util-fw/rp2040/pico-serprog/build
 	)
 }
 
 create_release_archive()
 {
 	(
-	cd "${reldir}/" || \
-	    err "create_release_archive 4: !cd ${reldir}/"
-	tar -c "${dirname}/" | xz -T0 -9e >"${dirname}.tar.xz" || \
-	    err "create_release_archive: can't create ${dirname}.tar.xz"
-	rm -Rf "${dirname}/" || \
-	    err "create_release_archive 5: !rm -Rf ${dirname}/"
+	x_ cd "${reldir}/"
+	x_ tar -c "${dirname}/" | xz -T0 -9e >"${dirname}.tar.xz"
+	x_ rm -Rf "${dirname}/"
 	)
 }
 
diff --git a/script/handle/make/config b/script/handle/make/config
index 0ae7796f..d7d11bf1 100755
--- a/script/handle/make/config
+++ b/script/handle/make/config
@@ -56,8 +56,7 @@ handle_dependencies()
 	    fail "Cannot get options for ${cfgsdir}"
 	[ $# -gt 0 ] && targets=$@
 
-	[ -d "${elfdir}" ] || [ "${mode}" != "all" ] || \
-		mkdir -p "${elfdir}/" || fail "can't create directory ${elfdir}"
+	[ "${mode}" = "all" ] && xx_ mkdir -p "${elfdir}/"
 }
 
 handle_targets()
@@ -67,8 +66,8 @@ handle_targets()
 		printf "Running 'make %s' for project '%s, target '%s''\n" \
 		    "${mode}" "${project}" "${target}"
 		[ "${project}" != "coreboot" ] || [ "${mode}" != "all" ] || \
-			./update blobs download ${target} || fail "blobutil"
-		handle_defconfig || fail "error handling config file"
+			xx_ ./update blobs download ${target}
+		xx_ handle_defconfig
 	done
 
 	[ "${mode}" = "all" ] || return 0
@@ -96,8 +95,7 @@ handle_defconfig()
 handle_src_tree()
 {
 	target_dir="${cfgsdir}/${target}"
-	mkdir -p "${elfdir}/${target}" || \
-	    fail "handle_src_tree: !mkdir -p ${elfdir}/${target}"
+	xx_ mkdir -p "${elfdir}/${target}"
 
 	eval "$(setvars "undefined" arch tree)"
 	romtype="normal"
@@ -121,8 +119,7 @@ handle_src_tree()
 			    "${codedir}" 1>&2
 			return 1
 		fi
-		./update project trees "${project}" "${target}" || \
-		    fail "handle_src_tree: can't fetch ${project}/${target}"
+		xx_ ./update project trees "${project}" "${target}"
 	elif [ "${mode}" = "distclean" ] || \
 	    [ "${mode}" = "crossgcc-clean" ]; then
 		[ -f "${tmpclean}/${tree}" ] && return 1
@@ -134,8 +131,7 @@ handle_src_tree()
 		[ "${mode}" != "all" ] || check_cross_compiler || \
 		    fail "handle_src_tree ${project}/${target}: crossgcc"
 		cbfstool="cbutils/${tree}/cbfstool"
-		[ -f "${cbfstool}" ] || ./build coreboot utils "${tree}" || \
-		    fail "handle_src_tree: cannot build cbfstool"
+		[ -f "${cbfstool}" ] || xx_ ./build coreboot utils "${tree}"
 	fi
 }
 
@@ -156,8 +152,7 @@ check_cross_compiler()
 	# only true if not building coreboot:
 	ctarget="${cbdir#coreboot/}"
 	[ -d "${cbdir}" ] || \
-		./update project trees coreboot ${ctarget} || \
-		    fail "check_cross_compiler: can't fetch coreboot/${ctarget}"
+		xx_ ./update project trees coreboot ${ctarget}
 
 	if [ "${arch}" = "x86_32" ] || [ "${arch}" = "x86_64" ]; then
 		[ -d "${cbdir}/util/crossgcc/xgcc/i386-elf/" ] || \
@@ -205,17 +200,13 @@ check_config()
 		printf "Build already exists, so skipping build\n" 1>&2
 		return 1
 	done
-	mkdir -p "${dest_dir}" || \
-	    fail "check_config: cannot mkdir: ${dest_dir}"
+	xx_ mkdir -p "${dest_dir}"
 }
 
 run_make_command()
 {
-	./handle make file -c "${codedir}" || \
-	    fail "run_make_command: make distclean/clean failed"
-
-	cp "${config}" "${codedir}/.config" || \
-	    fail "run_make_command: can't copy config for: ${project}/${target}"
+	xx_ ./handle make file -c "${codedir}"
+	xx_ cp "${config}" "${codedir}/.config"
 	[ "${mode}" != "all" ] || make -C "${codedir}" silentoldconfig || \
 	    make -C "${codedir}" oldconfig || : # don't error on oldconfig
 
@@ -223,30 +214,26 @@ run_make_command()
 		printf "%s\n" "${our_version}" >"${codedir}/.coreboot-version" \
 		    || fail "run_make_command: ${codedir}: can't set version"
 	fi
-	make -C "${codedir}" -j$(nproc) ${mode} || \
-	    fail "run_make: !make-${mode}: ${codedir} (${project}/${target})"
+	xx_ make -C "${codedir}" -j$(nproc) ${mode}
+
 	if [ -e "${codedir}/.git" ] && [ "${project}" = "u-boot" ] && \
 	    [ "${mode}" = "distclean" ]; then
-		git -C "${codedir}" clean -fdx || \
-		    fail "run_make_command: ${codedir}: cannot clean u-boot git"
+		xx_ git -C "${codedir}" clean -fdx
 	elif [ "${mode}" = "oldconfig" ] || [ "${mode}" = "menuconfig" ]; then	
-		cp "${codedir}/.config" "${config}" || \
-		    fail "run_make: can't edit config: ${project}/${target}"
+		xx_ cp "${codedir}/.config" "${config}"
 	fi
 }
 
 copy_elf()
 {
-	[ "${project}" != "coreboot" ] || modify_coreboot_rom || \
-	    fail "copy_elf: cannot prepare coreboot image"
+	[ "${project}" != "coreboot" ] || xx_ modify_coreboot_rom
 
 	while read f; do
-		[ ! -f "${codedir}/$f" ] || cp "${codedir}/${f}" \
-		    "${dest_dir}/" || fail "copy_elf: cannot copy elf file"
+		[ ! -f "${codedir}/$f" ] || \
+			xx_ cp "${codedir}/${f}" "${dest_dir}/"
 	done < ${listfile}
 
-	./handle make file -c "${codedir}" || \
-	    fail "copy_elf: clean: ${codedir} (${project}/${target})"
+	xx_ ./handle make file -c "${codedir}"
 }
 
 modify_coreboot_rom()
@@ -255,32 +242,26 @@ modify_coreboot_rom()
 	[ -f "${rompath}" ] || \
 	    fail "modify_coreboot_rom: does not exist: ${rompath}"
 	tmprom="$(mktemp -t rom.XXXXXXXXXX)"
-	rm -f "${tmprom}" || \
-	    fail "modify_coreboot_rom prep: cannot remove tmprom"
+	xx_ rm -f "${tmprom}"
 
 	if [ "${romtype}" = "d8d16sas" ]; then
 		# pike2008 roms hang seabios. an empty rom will override
 		# the built-in one, thus disabling all execution of it
-		touch "${tmprom}" || \
-		    fail "modify_coreboot_rom: cannot create fake oprom"
+		xx_ touch "${tmprom}"
 		for deviceID in "0072" "3050"; do
-			"${cbfstool}" "${rompath}" add -f "${tmprom}" \
-			    -n "pci1000,${deviceID}.rom" -t raw || \
-			    fail "modify_coreboot_rom: can't insert fake rom"
+			xx_ "${cbfstool}" "${rompath}" add -f "${tmprom}" \
+			    -n "pci1000,${deviceID}.rom" -t raw
 		done
 	elif [ "${romtype}" = "i945 laptop" ]; then
 		# for bucts-based installation method from factory bios
-		dd if="${rompath}" of="${tmprom}" bs=1 \
+		xx_ dd if="${rompath}" of="${tmprom}" bs=1 \
 		    skip=$(($(stat -c %s "${rompath}") - 0x10000)) \
-		    count=64k || \
-		    fail "modify_coreboot_rom: can't read i945 bootblock"
-		dd if="${tmprom}" of="${rompath}" bs=1 \
+		    count=64k
+		xx_ dd if="${tmprom}" of="${rompath}" bs=1 \
 		    seek=$(($(stat -c %s "${rompath}") - 0x20000)) \
-		    count=64k conv=notrunc || \
-		    fail "modify_coreboot_rom: can't write i945 bootblock"
+		    count=64k conv=notrunc
 	fi
-	rm -f "${tmprom}" || \
-	    fail "modify_coreboot_rom: cannot remove tmprom"
+	xx_ rm -f "${tmprom}"
 }
 
 fail()
diff --git a/script/handle/make/file b/script/handle/make/file
index b76eadcd..600b9f3d 100755
--- a/script/handle/make/file
+++ b/script/handle/make/file
@@ -29,14 +29,13 @@ main()
 
 handle_dependencies()
 {
-	[ -d "${project}" ] || ./update project repo "${project%/*}" || \
-	    err "handle_dependencies: can't fetch ${project%/*}"
+	[ -d "${project}" ] || x_ ./update project repo "${project%/*}"
 	[ -d "${project}" ] || \
 		err "handle_dependencies: ${project%/*} not downloaded"
 
 	[ "${project}" = "uefitool" ] || return 0 # TODO: remove hardcoding
 	(
-	cd uefitool || err "handle_dependencies: !cd uefitool"
+	x_ cd uefitool
 	cmake UEFIExtract/ || [ -f Makefile ] || \
 	    err "handle_dependencies: !cmake UEFIExtract/"
 	)
@@ -45,11 +44,9 @@ handle_dependencies()
 run_make_command()
 {
 	if [ -z "${mode}" ]; then
-		make -C "${project}" -j$(nproc) || \
-		    err "run_make_command: !make -C ${project}"
+		x_ make -C "${project}" -j$(nproc)
 	else
-		make -C "${project}" clean || \
-		    err "run_make_command: ${project}: make-clean failed"
+		x_ make -C "${project}" clean
 		make -C "${project}" distclean || :
 	fi
 }
diff --git a/script/update/blobs/download b/script/update/blobs/download
index 9e017cc4..9d52dfb7 100755
--- a/script/update/blobs/download
+++ b/script/update/blobs/download
@@ -41,21 +41,16 @@ detect_firmware()
 build_dependencies()
 {
 	[ -d ${cbdir} ] || \
-		./update project trees coreboot ${cbdir##*/} || \
-		    err "build_dependencies: can't fetch ${cbdir}"
+		x_ ./update project trees coreboot ${cbdir##*/}
 	for d in uefitool biosutilities bios_extract me_cleaner; do
 		[ -d "${d}" ] && continue
-		./update project repo "${d}" || \
-		    err "build_dependencies: can't fetch ${d}"
+		x_ ./update project repo "${d}"
 	done
 	[ -f uefitool/uefiextract ] || \
-		./handle make file -b uefitool || \
-		    err "build_dependencies: can't build uefitool"
+		x_ ./handle make file -b uefitool
 	[ -f "${cbdir}/util/kbc1126/kbc1126_ec_dump" ] || \
-		make -C "${cbdir}/util/kbc1126" || \
-		    err "build_dependencies: can't build kbc1126_ec_dump"
-	./build coreboot utils default || \
-	    err "build_dependencies: cannot build utils in cbutils/default/"
+		x_ make -C "${cbdir}/util/kbc1126"
+	x_ ./build coreboot utils default
 }
 
 download_blobs()
@@ -117,13 +112,12 @@ extract_intel_me()
 extract_kbc1126ec()
 {
 	(
-	cd "${appdir}/" || \
-	    err "extract_kbc1126_ec: !cd \"${appdir}/\""
+	x_ cd "${appdir}/"
 	mv Rompaq/68*.BIN ec.bin || :
 	if [ ! -f ec.bin ]; then
 		unar -D ROM.CAB Rom.bin || unar -D Rom.CAB Rom.bin || \
-		    unar -D 68*.CAB Rom.bin || err "extract_kbc1126_ec !extract"
-		mv Rom.bin ec.bin || err "extract_kbc1126_ec: *didn't* extract"
+		    x_ unar -D 68*.CAB Rom.bin
+		x_ mv Rom.bin ec.bin
 	fi
 	[ -f ec.bin ] || err "extract_kbc1126_ec ${board}: can't extract"
 	"${kbc1126_ec_dump}" ec.bin || \
@@ -135,8 +129,7 @@ extract_kbc1126ec()
 	done
 	[ "${ec_ex}" = "y" ] || \
 	    err "extract_kbc1126_ec ${board}: didn't extract ecfw1/2.bin"
-	cp "${appdir}/"ec.bin.fw* "${_dest%/*}/" || \
-	    err "extract_kbc1126_ec: cant mv ecfw1/2 ${_dest%/*}"
+	x_ cp "${appdir}/"ec.bin.fw* "${_dest%/*}/"
 }
 
 extract_e6400vga()
@@ -148,14 +141,13 @@ extract_e6400vga()
 	tail -c +${E6400_VGA_offset} "${_dl}" | \
 	    gunzip >"${appdir}/bios.bin" || :
 	(
-	cd "${appdir}" || err "extract_e6400vga: can't cd ${appdir}"
+	x_ cd "${appdir}"
 	[ -f "bios.bin" ] || err "extract_e6400vga: can't extract bios.bin"
 	"${e6400_unpack}" bios.bin || printf "TODO: fix dell extract util\n"
 	[ -f "${E6400_VGA_romname}" ] || \
 		err "extract_e6400vga: can't extract vga rom from bios.bin"
 	)
-	cp "${appdir}"/"${E6400_VGA_romname}" "${_dest}" || \
-	    err "extract_e6400vga: can't copy vga rom to ${_dest}"
+	x_ cp "${appdir}"/"${E6400_VGA_romname}" "${_dest}"
 }
 
 # TODO: this code is cancer. hardcoded is bad, and stupid.
diff --git a/script/update/blobs/inject b/script/update/blobs/inject
index 5e75d6c4..99eb9d5b 100755
--- a/script/update/blobs/inject
+++ b/script/update/blobs/inject
@@ -82,18 +82,15 @@ detect_board()
 		err "detect_board: could not detect board type"
 	esac	
 	[ -d "${boarddir}/" ] || \
-	    err "detect_board: dir, ${boarddir}, doesn't exist"
+		err "detect_board: dir, ${boarddir}, doesn't exist"
 	printf "%s\n" "${board}"
 }
 
 build_dependencies()
 {
-	[ -d "${cbdir}" ] || ./update project trees coreboot default || \
-	    err "build_dependencies: could not download coreboot/default"
-	./build coreboot utils default || \
-	    err "build_dependencies: could not build cbutils"
-	./update blobs download ${board} || \
-	    err "build_dependencies: Could not download blobs for ${board}"
+	[ -d "${cbdir}" ] || x_ ./update project trees coreboot default
+	x_ ./build coreboot utils default
+	x_ ./update blobs download ${board}
 }
 
 inject_blobs()
@@ -104,35 +101,31 @@ inject_blobs()
 		release_archive="y"
 		patch_release_roms
 	else
-		patch_rom "${rom}" || \
-		    err "inject_blobs: could not patch ${x}"
+		x_ patch_rom "${rom}"
 	fi
 }
 
 patch_release_roms()
 {
 	_tmpdir="tmp/romdir"
-	rm -Rf "${_tmpdir}" || err "patch_release_roms 1: can't prepare tmpdir"
-	mkdir -p "${_tmpdir}" || err "patch_release_roms: can't make tmpdir"
-	tar -xf "${releasearchive}" -C "${_tmpdir}" || \
-	    err "patch_release_roms: could not extract release archive"
+	x_ rm -Rf "${_tmpdir}"
+	x_ mkdir -p "${_tmpdir}"
+	x_ tar -xf "${releasearchive}" -C "${_tmpdir}"
 
 	for x in "${_tmpdir}"/bin/*/*.rom ; do
 		printf "patching rom: %s\n" "$x"
-		patch_rom "${x}" || err "patch_release_roms: could not patch ${x}"
+		x_ patch_rom "${x}"
 	done
 	for x in "${_tmpdir}"/bin/*/*_nomicrocode.rom ; do
 		[ -f "${x}" ] || continue
 		[ -f "${x%_nomicrocode.rom}.rom" ] || continue
 
-		cp "${x%_nomicrocode.rom}.rom" "${x}" || \
-		    err "patch_release_roms: ${x}: can't overwrite no-ucode rom"
-		"${cbfstool}" "${x}" remove -n cpu_microcode_blob.bin || \
-		    err "patch_release_roms: ${x}: cannot remove u-code"
+		x_ cp "${x%_nomicrocode.rom}.rom" "${x}"
+		x_ "${cbfstool}" "${x}" remove -n cpu_microcode_blob.bin
 	done
 
 	(
-	cd "${_tmpdir}"/bin/*
+	x_ cd "${_tmpdir}/bin/"*
 
 	# NOTE: For compatibility with older rom releases, defer to sha1
 	sha512sum --status -c blobhashes || \
@@ -146,14 +139,12 @@ patch_release_roms()
 		done
 	fi
 
-	[ -d bin/release ] || mkdir -p bin/release || \
-	    err "patch_release_roms: !mkdir -p bin/release"
-	mv "${_tmpdir}"/bin/* bin/release/ || \
-	    err "patch_release_roms: !mv ${_tmpdir}/bin/* bin/release/"
+	[ -d bin/release ] || x_ mkdir -p bin/release
+	x_ mv "${_tmpdir}"/bin/* bin/release/
 
 	printf "Success! Your ROMs are in bin/release\n"
 
-	rm -Rf "${_tmpdir}" || err "patch_release_roms: !rm -Rf ${_tmpdir}"
+	x_ rm -Rf "${_tmpdir}"
 }
 
 patch_rom()
@@ -170,7 +161,7 @@ patch_rom()
 	[ -f "${rom%_nomicrocode.rom}.rom" ] && \
 	[ "${release_archive}" = "y" ] && return 0
 
-	check_defconfig "${boarddir}" || err "patch_rom ${rom}: no defconfig"
+	x_ check_defconfig "${boarddir}"
 
 	set -- "${boarddir}/config/"*
 	. "${1}" 2>/dev/null
@@ -217,8 +208,8 @@ inject_blob_intel_mrc()
 	# source code, and it is *always* correct for haswell platform.
 	# TODO: this logic should be tweaked to handle more platforms
 
-	"${cbfstool}" "${rom}" add -f mrc/haswell/mrc.bin -n mrc.bin -t mrc \
-	    -b 0xfffa0000 || err "inject_blob_intel_mrc: cannot insert mrc.bin"
+	x_ "${cbfstool}" "${rom}" add -f mrc/haswell/mrc.bin -n mrc.bin \
+	    -t mrc -b 0xfffa0000
 }
 
 inject_blob_intel_me()
@@ -233,8 +224,7 @@ inject_blob_intel_me()
 	[ ! -f "${_me_location}" ] && \
 		err "inject_blob_intel_me: per CONFIG_ME_BIN_PATH: file missing"
 
-	"${ifdtool}" -i me:"${_me_location}" "${rom}" -O "${rom}" || \
-	    err "inject_blob_intel_me: cannot insert me.bin"
+	x_ "${ifdtool}" -i me:"${_me_location}" "${rom}" -O "${rom}"
 }
 
 inject_blob_hp_kbc1126_ec()
@@ -258,12 +248,10 @@ inject_blob_hp_kbc1126_ec()
 		err "inject_blob_hp_kbc1126_ec: ${board}: ecfw not downloaded"
 	fi
 
-	"${cbfstool}" "${rom}" add -f "${_ec1_location}" -n ecfw1.bin \
-	    -b ${_ec1_offset} -t raw || \
-	    err "inject_blob_hp_kbc1126_ec: cannot insert ecfw1.bin"
-	"${cbfstool}" "${rom}" add -f "${_ec2_location}" -n ecfw2.bin \
-	    -b ${_ec2_offset} -t raw || \
-	    err "inject_blob_hp_kbc1126_ec: cannot insert ecfw2.bin"
+	x_ "${cbfstool}" "${rom}" add -f "${_ec1_location}" -n ecfw1.bin \
+	    -b ${_ec1_offset} -t raw
+	x_ "${cbfstool}" "${rom}" add -f "${_ec2_location}" -n ecfw2.bin \
+	    -b ${_ec2_offset} -t raw
 }
 
 inject_blob_dell_e6400_vgarom_nvidia()
@@ -276,29 +264,24 @@ inject_blob_dell_e6400_vgarom_nvidia()
 
 	printf "adding pci option rom\n"
 
-	if [ "${_vga_dir}" != "${pciromsdir}" ]; then
+	[ "${_vga_dir}" = "${pciromsdir}" ] || \
 		err "inject_blob_dell_e6400vga: invalid pcirom dir: ${_vga_dir}"
-	fi
-	if [ ! -f "${_vga_location}" ]; then
+	[ -f "${_vga_location}" ] || \
 		err "inject_blob_dell_e6400vga: ${_vga_location} doesn't exist"
-	fi
 
-	"${cbfstool}" "${rom}" add -f "${_vga_location}" \
-	    -n "pci${CONFIG_VGA_BIOS_ID}.rom" -t optionrom || \
-	    err "inject_blob_dell_e6400vga: cannot insert vga oprom"
+	x_ "${cbfstool}" "${rom}" add -f "${_vga_location}" \
+	    -n "pci${CONFIG_VGA_BIOS_ID}.rom" -t optionrom
 }
 
 inject_blob_smsc_sch5545_ec()
 {
 	rom="${1}"
 	_sch5545ec_location="${CONFIG_SMSC_SCH5545_EC_FW_FILE#../../}"
-
 	[ -f "${_sch5545ec_location}" ] || \
 		err "inject_blob_smsc_sch5545_ec: SCH5545 fw missing"
 
-	"${cbfstool}" "${rom}" add -f "${_sch5545ec_location}" \
-	    -n sch5545_ecfw.bin -t raw || \
-	    err "inject_blob_smsc_sch5545_ec: can't insert sch5545_ecfw.bin"
+	x_ "${cbfstool}" "${rom}" add -f "${_sch5545ec_location}" \
+	    -n sch5545_ecfw.bin -t raw
 }
 
 modify_gbe()
@@ -309,21 +292,17 @@ modify_gbe()
 
 	rom="${1}"
 	_gbe_location=${CONFIG_GBE_BIN_PATH#../../}
-
 	[ -f "${_gbe_location}" ] || \
 		err "modify_gbe: CONFIG_GBE_BIN_PATH points to missing file"
 	[ -f "${nvmutil}" ] || \
-		make -C util/nvmutil || err "modify_gbe: couldn't build nvmutil"
+		x_ make -C util/nvmutil
 
 	_gbe_tmp=$(mktemp -t gbeXXXX.bin)
-	cp "${_gbe_location}" "${_gbe_tmp}"
-	"${nvmutil}" "${_gbe_tmp}" setmac "${new_mac}" || \
-	    err "modify_gbe: ${board}: failed to modify mac address"
-
-	"${ifdtool}" -i GbE:"${_gbe_tmp}" "${rom}" -O "${rom}" || \
-	    err "modify_gbe: ${board}: cannot insert modified gbe.bin"
+	x_ cp "${_gbe_location}" "${_gbe_tmp}"
+	x_ "${nvmutil}" "${_gbe_tmp}" setmac "${new_mac}"
+	x_ "${ifdtool}" -i GbE:"${_gbe_tmp}" "${rom}" -O "${rom}"
 
-	rm -f "${_gbe_tmp}" || err "modify_gbe: can't remove ${_gbe_tmp}"
+	x_ rm -f "${_gbe_tmp}"
 }
 
 usage()
diff --git a/script/update/project/repo b/script/update/project/repo
index c0cec1b6..71c3940c 100755
--- a/script/update/project/repo
+++ b/script/update/project/repo
@@ -23,11 +23,9 @@ main()
 
 	clone_project
 	[ "${depend}" = "" ] || for d in ${depend} ; do
-		./update project repo ${d} || \
-		  fail "Cannot fetch dependency, ${d}, for project, ${name}"
+		xx_ ./update project repo ${d}
 	done
-
-	rm -Rf "${tmp_dir}" || fail "cannot remove tmpdir, ${tmp_dir}"
+	xx_ rm -Rf "${tmp_dir}"
 }
 
 verify_config()
@@ -39,8 +37,8 @@ verify_config()
 
 clone_project()
 {
-	rm -Rf "${tmp_dir}" || fail "clone_project: cannot remove old tmpdir"
-	mkdir -p "${tmp_dir%/*}" || fail "clone_project: can't mkdir"
+	xx_ rm -Rf "${tmp_dir}"
+	xx_ mkdir -p "${tmp_dir%/*}"
 
 	git clone ${url} "${tmp_dir}" || git clone ${bkup_url} "${tmp_dir}" || \
 	    fail "clone_project: could not download ${name}"
@@ -50,12 +48,9 @@ clone_project()
 	    fail "clone_project ${loc}/: cannot apply patches"
 
 	[ ! -d "${loc}" ] || \
-		rm -Rf "${loc}" || \
-		    fail "clone_project: Can't remove directory '${loc}'"
-	[ "${loc}" = "${loc%/*}" ] || mkdir -p ${loc%/*} || \
-	    fail "clone_project: cannot make directory for ${name}"
-	mv "${tmp_dir}" "${loc}" || \
-	    fail "clone_project: could not copy temp file to destination"
+		xx_ rm -Rf "${loc}"
+	[ "${loc}" = "${loc%/*}" ] || xx_ mkdir -p ${loc%/*}
+	xx_ mv "${tmp_dir}" "${loc}"
 }
 
 fail()
diff --git a/script/update/project/trees b/script/update/project/trees
index 1214ab21..d5d631b6 100755
--- a/script/update/project/trees
+++ b/script/update/project/trees
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ eval "$(setvars "" _target tree rev project cfgsdir)"
 
 main()
 {
-	rm -f "${cfgsdir}"/*/seen || err_rm_seen "main 1"
+	x_ rm -f "${cfgsdir}"/*/seen
 
 	printf "Downloading %s and (if available) applying patches\n" \
 	    ${project}
@@ -32,11 +32,10 @@ main()
 	    err "No targets available for project: ${project}"
 
 	for x in ${targets}; do
-		rm -f "${cfgsdir}"/*/seen || err_rm_seen "main 2"
-		download_for_target "${x}" || \
-		    err "${project}/${target}: cannot download source tree"
+		x_ rm -f "${cfgsdir}"/*/seen
+		x_ download_for_target "${x}"
 	done
-	rm -f "${cfgsdir}"/*/seen || err_rm_seen "main 3"
+	x_ rm -f "${cfgsdir}"/*/seen
 }
 
 download_for_target()
@@ -45,10 +44,8 @@ download_for_target()
 	tree="undefined"
 	rev="undefined"
 
-	fetch_config "${_target}" || \
-	    err "download_for_target: ${project}/${_target}: bad target.cfg"
-
-	rm -f "${cfgsdir}"/*/seen || err_rm_seen "download_for_target"
+	x_ fetch_config "${_target}"
+	x_ rm -f "${cfgsdir}"/*/seen
 
 	if [ -d "${project}/${tree}" ]; then
 		printf "REMARK: download/%s %s: exists. Skipping.\n" \
@@ -60,8 +57,7 @@ download_for_target()
 
 	fetch_from_upstream || \
 	    err "download_for_target: cannot fetch: ${project}"
-	prepare_new_tree "${_target}" "${tree}" "${rev}" || \
-	    err "download_for_target: cannot create tree: ${project}/${tree}"
+	x_ prepare_new_tree "${_target}" "${tree}" "${rev}"
 }
 
 fetch_config()
@@ -82,14 +78,16 @@ fetch_config()
 			_target="${tree}"
 			continue
 		elif [ "${tree}" = "undefined" ]; then
-			printf "ERROR (fetch_config): download/%s:" 1>&2
+			printf "ERROR (fetch_config): download/%s:" \
+			    "${project}" 1>&2
 			printf " tree name undefined for '%s\n'" \
-			    "${project}" "${_target}" 1>&2
+			    "${_target}" 1>&2
 			return 1
 		elif [ "${rev}" = "undefined" ]; then
-			printf "ERROR (fetch_config): download/%s:" 1>&2
+			printf "ERROR (fetch_config): download/%s:" \
+			    "${project}" 1>&2
 			printf " commit ID undefined for '%s'\n" \
-			    "${project}" "${_target}" 1>&2
+			    "${_target}" 1>&2
 			return 1
 		else
 			break
@@ -114,8 +112,7 @@ check_config_for_target()
 		    1>&2
 		return 1
 	fi
-	touch "${cfgsdir}/${_target}/seen" || \
-	    err "${project}/${_target}: touch \"${cfgsdir}/${_target}/seen\""
+	x_ touch "${cfgsdir}/${_target}/seen"
 }
 
 fetch_from_upstream()
@@ -137,26 +134,17 @@ prepare_new_tree()
 	[ "${tree}" != "${target}" ] && \
 		printf "(for target, %s)\n" "${target}"
 
-	cp -R "${project}/${project}" "${project}/${tree}" || \
-	    err "${project}/${tree}: cannot copy source tree"
-	git_reset_rev "${project}/${tree}" "${rev}" "err" || \
-	    err "prepare_new_trees ${project}/${tree}: cannot reset <- ${rev}"
+	x_ cp -R "${project}/${project}" "${project}/${tree}"
+	x_ git_reset_rev "${project}/${tree}" "${rev}" "err"
 
 	(
-	cd "${project}/${tree}" || \
-	    err "prepare_new_tree: !cd \"${project}/${tree}\""
+	x_ cd "${project}/${tree}"
 	git submodule update --init --checkout || \
 	    err "prepare_new_tree ${project}/${tree}: can't update git modules"
 	)
 
-	git_am_patches "${PWD}/${project}/${tree}" \
-	    "${PWD}/${cfgsdir}/${tree}/patches" "err" || \
-	    err "prepare_new_trees ${project}/${tree}: cannot apply patches"
-}
-
-err_rm_seen()
-{
-	err "${1}: ${project}/${target}: cannot rm: \"${cfgsdir}/*/seen\""
+	x_ git_am_patches "${PWD}/${project}/${tree}" \
+	    "${PWD}/${cfgsdir}/${tree}/patches" "err"
 }
 
 main $@