diff --git a/src/commands/issue/issue-list.ts b/src/commands/issue/issue-list.ts
index 8202885..fc6c311 100644
--- a/src/commands/issue/issue-list.ts
+++ b/src/commands/issue/issue-list.ts
@@ -155,6 +155,14 @@ export const listCommand = new Command()
             console.error(`No projects found matching: ${project}`)
             Deno.exit(1)
           }
+          if (!Deno.stdin.isTerminal()) {
+            console.error(
+              `Project "${project}" not found. Similar projects: ${
+                Object.values(projectOptions).join(", ")
+              }`,
+            )
+            Deno.exit(1)
+          }
           projectId = await selectOption("Project", project, projectOptions)
         }
       }
@@ -173,6 +181,7 @@ export const listCommand = new Command()
           allAssignees,
           limit === 0 ? undefined : limit,
           projectId,
+          sort,
         )
         spinner?.stop()
         const issues = result.issues?.nodes || []
diff --git a/src/utils/linear.ts b/src/utils/linear.ts
index 2cd2648..3ac4afb 100644
--- a/src/utils/linear.ts
+++ b/src/utils/linear.ts
@@ -361,11 +361,13 @@ export async function fetchIssuesForState(
   allAssignees = false,
   limit?: number,
   projectId?: string,
+  sortParam?: "manual" | "priority",
 ) {
-  const sort = getOption("issue_sort") as "manual" | "priority" | undefined
+  const sort = sortParam ??
+    getOption("issue_sort") as "manual" | "priority" | undefined
   if (!sort) {
     console.error(
-      "Sort must be provided via configuration file or LINEAR_ISSUE_SORT environment variable",
+      "Sort must be provided via --sort parameter, configuration file, or LINEAR_ISSUE_SORT environment variable",
     )
     Deno.exit(1)
   }