diff --git a/lib/cmd/vite/scripts.js b/lib/cmd/vite/scripts.js
index 07f02ca..81ad805 100644
--- a/lib/cmd/vite/scripts.js
+++ b/lib/cmd/vite/scripts.js
@@ -57,19 +57,31 @@ exports.KILN_EDIT_ENTRY_KEY = KILN_EDIT_ENTRY_KEY;
  * @param {string|string[]} only
  * @returns {Set<string>|null}
  */
-function normalizeRequestedSteps(only) {
-  if (!only || Array.isArray(only) && only.length === 0) return null;
+/**
+ * Split a --only value into a deduped, trimmed array of entries.
+ * Accepts either repeated flags (--only js --only styles) or CSV
+ * (--only js,styles).
+ *
+ * @param {string|string[]} only
+ * @returns {string[]}
+ */
+function splitOnlyEntries(only) {
+  const values = Array.isArray(only) ? only : [only];
 
-  // Accept either repeated flags (--only js --only styles) or CSV
-  // (--only js,styles), then normalize to one deduped Set.
-  const entries = (Array.isArray(only) ? only : [only])
+  return values
     .flatMap(v => String(v).split(','))
     .map(v => v.trim())
     .filter(Boolean);
+}
 
-  // "all" means "no filtering" so buildAll can reuse its normal path.
-  if (entries.includes('all')) return null;
-
+/**
+ * Partition --only entries into recognized build steps and anything
+ * unrecognized (a typo, most likely).
+ *
+ * @param {string[]} entries
+ * @returns {{ requested: Set<string>, unrecognized: string[] }}
+ */
+function classifyOnlyEntries(entries) {
   const requested = new Set();
   const unrecognized = [];
 
@@ -81,6 +93,19 @@ function normalizeRequestedSteps(only) {
     }
   }
 
+  return { requested, unrecognized };
+}
+
+function normalizeRequestedSteps(only) {
+  if (!only || Array.isArray(only) && only.length === 0) return null;
+
+  const entries = splitOnlyEntries(only);
+
+  // "all" means "no filtering" so buildAll can reuse its normal path.
+  if (entries.includes('all')) return null;
+
+  const { requested, unrecognized } = classifyOnlyEntries(entries);
+
   if (unrecognized.length > 0) {
     throw new Error(
       `[clay vite] Unrecognized --only value(s): ${unrecognized.join(', ')}. ` +