How can I get powershell to return the correct exit code when called with the -File argument?

Question

Powershell is returning a 0 exit code, when an error has occurred, if called with the -File argument. Which means my build is green when it shouldn't be :(

For example:

(in wtf.ps1)

$ErrorActionPreference = "Stop";   
$null.split()

(cmd)

powershell -file c:\wtf.ps1  
You cannot call a method on a null-valued expression.
At C:\wtf.ps1:3 char:12
+ $null.split <<<< ()
    + CategoryInfo          : InvalidOperation: (split:String) [], ParentConta
   insErrorRecordException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : InvokeMethodOnNull


echo %errorlevel%  
0

powershell c:\wtf.ps1  
You cannot call a method on a null-valued expression.
At C:\wtf.ps1:3 char:12
+ $null.split <<<< ()
    + CategoryInfo          : InvalidOperation: (split:String) [], ParentConta
   insErrorRecordException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : InvokeMethodOnNull


echo %errorlevel%  
1

Any ideas?

(I've tried pretty much every idea from the first 2 pages of this: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=powershell+file+argument+exit+code already)

Answer 1

In the script, use the exit keyword with a number of your choice:

exit 34

Here's the script I used to test this:

## D:\Scripts\Temp\exit.ps1 ##
try{
    $null.split()
}
catch
{
    exit 34
}

exit 2
#############################

# launch powershell from cmd 
C:\> powershell -noprofile -file D:\Scripts\Temp\exit.ps1
C:\>echo %errorlevel%
34

Answer 2

It is a known problem. Workarounds are calling the script with -File, using the -Command parameter (and adding ; exit $lastexitcode if you also have your own exit codes) or turning them into exit codes like Shay is showing or the example using trap below. See here for more information.

trap
{
    $ErrorActionPreference = "Continue";   
    Write-Error $_
    exit 1
}

$ErrorActionPreference = "Stop";   
$null.split()