diff --git a/tools/build.py b/tools/build.py
index 6c65c7190d..d988a0a649 100644
--- a/tools/build.py
+++ b/tools/build.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ from tools.build_api import mcu_toolchain_matrix
 from tools.build_api import static_analysis_scan, static_analysis_scan_lib, static_analysis_scan_library
 from tools.build_api import print_build_results
 from tools.settings import CPPCHECK_CMD, CPPCHECK_MSG_FORMAT
-from utils import argparse_filestring_type
+from utils import argparse_filestring_type, args_error
 from tools.settings import CPPCHECK_CMD, CPPCHECK_MSG_FORMAT, CLI_COLOR_MAP
 from utils import argparse_filestring_type, argparse_dir_not_parent
 
@@ -167,6 +167,9 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
     # Get toolchains list
     toolchains = options.tool if options.tool else TOOLCHAINS
 
+    if options.source_dir and not options.build_dir:
+        args_error(parser, "argument --build is required by argument --source")
+
     if options.color:
         # This import happens late to prevent initializing colorization when we don't need it
         import colorize
diff --git a/tools/make.py b/tools/make.py
index 1505cae125..7cf7ca4a48 100644
--- a/tools/make.py
+++ b/tools/make.py
@@ -212,9 +212,15 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
 
     # Toolchain
     if options.tool is None:
-        args_error(parser, "argument -t/--toolchain is required")
+        args_error(parser, "argument -t/--tool is required")
     toolchain = options.tool[0]
 
+    if (options.program is None) and (not options.source_dir):
+        args_error(parser, "one of -p, -n, or --source is required")
+
+    if options.source_dir and not options.build_dir:
+        args_error(parser, "argument --build is required when argument --source is provided")
+
     if options.color:
         # This import happens late to prevent initializing colorization when we don't need it
         import colorize
diff --git a/tools/project.py b/tools/project.py
index 530def4093..873e7fbe50 100644
--- a/tools/project.py
+++ b/tools/project.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ from tools.tests import TESTS, TEST_MAP
 from tools.tests import test_known, test_name_known
 from tools.targets import TARGET_NAMES
 from tools.libraries import LIBRARIES
-from utils import argparse_filestring_type, argparse_many
+from utils import argparse_filestring_type, argparse_many, args_error
 from utils import argparse_force_lowercase_type, argparse_force_uppercase_type, argparse_dir_not_parent
 from project_api import setup_project, perform_export, print_results, get_lib_symbols
 
@@ -131,6 +131,16 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
 
     # source_dir = use relative paths, otherwise sources are copied
     sources_relative = True if options.source_dir else False
+    # Target
+    if not options.mcu:
+        args_error(parser, "argument -m/--mcu is required")
+
+    # Toolchain
+    if not options.ide:
+        args_error(parser, "argument -i is required")
+
+    if (options.program is None) and (not options.source_dir):
+        args_error(parser, "one of -p, -n, or --source is required")
 
     for mcu in options.mcu:
         # Program Number or name
diff --git a/tools/test.py b/tools/test.py
index ee009ea3bb..f96bd12f6d 100644
--- a/tools/test.py
+++ b/tools/test.py
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
 
         # Toolchain
         if options.tool is None:
-            args_error(parser, "argument -t/--toolchain is required")
+            args_error(parser, "argument -t/--tool is required")
         toolchain = options.tool[0]
 
         # Find all tests in the relevant paths
@@ -152,8 +152,7 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
         else:
             # Build all tests
             if not options.build_dir:
-                print "[ERROR] You must specify a build path"
-                sys.exit(1)
+                args_error(parser, "argument --build is required")
 
             base_source_paths = options.source_dir