Improve error messages and import checks

cadetrdm/jupyter_functionality.py

@@ -2,13 +2,19 @@ import sys
 import time
 import os
 from pathlib import Path
+import traceback
 
 from cadetrdm.io_utils import wait_for_user
 from ipylab import JupyterFrontEnd
 import junix
 import nbformat as nbf
-from nbconvert.preprocessors import ExecutePreprocessor
-from nbconvert.nbconvertapp import NbConvertApp
+
+try:
+    from nbconvert.preprocessors import ExecutePreprocessor
+    from nbconvert.nbconvertapp import NbConvertApp
+except ModuleNotFoundError as e:
+    traceback.print_exc()
+    print("No working nbconvert installation found OR a conflict in your packages found.")
 
 
 class Notebook:

cadetrdm/repositories.py

@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ import traceback
 from datetime import datetime
 import shutil
 import time
-import zipfile
 import contextlib
 import glob
 from stat import S_IREAD, S_IWRITE
@@ -611,7 +610,10 @@ class ProjectRepo(BaseRepo):
         super().__init__(repository_path, search_parent_directories=search_parent_directories, *args, **kwargs)
 
         with open(repository_path / "output_remotes.json", "r") as handle:
-            output_remotes = json.load(handle)
+            try:
+                output_remotes = json.load(handle)
+            except FileNotFoundError:
+                raise RuntimeError(f"Folder {self.working_dir} does not appear to be a CADET-RDM repository.")
 
         if output_folder is not None:
             print("Deprecation Warning. Setting the outputfolder manually during repo instantiation is deprecated"