diff --git a/chainlib/eth/runnable/decode.py b/chainlib/eth/runnable/decode.py
index b25ca35..632a62f 100644
--- a/chainlib/eth/runnable/decode.py
+++ b/chainlib/eth/runnable/decode.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import logging
 
 # third-party imports
 from chainlib.eth.tx import unpack
+from chainlib.chain import ChainSpec
 
 
 logging.basicConfig(level=logging.WARNING)
@@ -34,7 +35,8 @@ args = argparser.parse_args()
 if args.v:
     logg.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
 
-(chain_name, chain_id) = args.i.split(':')
+chain_spec = ChainSpec.from_chain_str(args.i)
+chain_id = chain_spec.network_id()
 
 
 def main():
diff --git a/chainlib/eth/runnable/gas.py b/chainlib/eth/runnable/gas.py
index aec91b2..2ea2371 100644
--- a/chainlib/eth/runnable/gas.py
+++ b/chainlib/eth/runnable/gas.py
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ from chainlib.eth.gas import (
         GasTxFactory,
         )
 from chainlib.eth.gas import balance as gas_balance
+from chainlib.chain import ChainSpec
 
 logging.basicConfig(level=logging.WARNING)
 logg = logging.getLogger()
@@ -106,8 +107,8 @@ else:
     gas_oracle = DefaultGasOracle(conn)
 
 
-chain_pair = args.i.split(':')
-chain_id = int(chain_pair[1])
+chain_spec = ChainSpec.from_chain_str(args.i)
+chain_id = chain_spec.network_id()
 
 value = args.amount
 
diff --git a/chainlib/eth/runnable/transfer.py b/chainlib/eth/runnable/transfer.py
index 1114bf5..70790d9 100644
--- a/chainlib/eth/runnable/transfer.py
+++ b/chainlib/eth/runnable/transfer.py
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ from chainlib.eth.rpc import jsonrpc_template
 from chainlib.eth.nonce import DefaultNonceOracle
 from chainlib.eth.gas import DefaultGasOracle
 from chainlib.eth.erc20 import ERC20TxFactory
+from chainlib.chain import ChainSpec
 
 
 logging.basicConfig(level=logging.WARNING)
@@ -85,8 +86,8 @@ conn = HTTPConnection(args.p)
 nonce_oracle = DefaultNonceOracle(signer_address, conn)
 gas_oracle = DefaultGasOracle(conn)
 
-chain_pair = args.i.split(':')
-chain_id = int(chain_pair[1])
+chain_spec = ChainSpec.from_chain_str(args.i)
+chain_id = chain_spec.network_id()
 
 value = args.amount