<...> stands for text that changes.
Installer
| Message | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
Alike setup needs Node 18+ (found v<x>). Please upgrade Node and re-run. | Node.js is older than version 18 | Install Node.js 18 or later |
Alike setup does not support Windows yet. | You ran the installer on Windows | Use macOS or Linux |
No supported coding agents found (scanned <n>). Nothing to do. | No agent settings folder found. scanned 0 means that --harness= names no known agent | No agents found |
Aborted — nothing changed. | You answered no | Run the installer again |
Non-interactive install — transcript capture is OFF. | No terminal and no --capture= | Run again with --capture=all or --capture=<ids> |
Capture is on, but no agent here has a working sweep trigger | None of the agents set up on this machine has a hook that can start a capture, for example a machine with only Windsurf, Zed, or Continue | Run --sweep, or set up an hourly capture |
Refusing to touch <file>: it exists but is not valid JSON | The file has comments or broken JSON | Fix the file, then run again |
Refusing to overwrite an existing MCP server named "alike" | Another server uses the name alike | Rename or remove it |
Continue config at <file> already has a top-level "mcpServers:" block | The installer cannot add to that YAML block safely | Paste the snippet that the installer prints under mcpServers: |
<VS Code>/settings.json is not plain JSON | VS Code settings contain comments | Add "chat.hooks.enabled": true by hand |
config.toml already has a [features] table | Codex settings conflict | Add codex_hooks = true under [features] |
Cline already has your own <Event> hook script | You have your own Cline hook scripts | Add the commands that the installer prints to your scripts |
could not vendor <dep> — Windsurf/Zed capture will be unavailable | The installer could not find a file in its own package | Run npx @alikeai/setup@latest |
could not reach <url> | Network, firewall, or proxy problem | Alike cannot be reached |
pairing timed out (10m) | You did not approve the code in 10 minutes | Run --doctor |
pairing code expired | The code is older than 10 minutes, or was used | Run --doctor |
pairing not completed (<reason>) | Any pairing problem. The reason can show that Alike refused to start pairing, for example because of too many requests from your network | Wait, then run the command that the message shows |
! ALIKE_BASE_URL/ALIKE_TOKEN are exported for <server> | Environment variables point to a different server | unset ALIKE_BASE_URL ALIKE_TOKEN |
The exported ALIKE_BASE_URL/ALIKE_TOKEN pair for <server> no longer authenticates. | The token in the environment stopped working | Remove the variables and pair |
the stored credential has expired — re-pairing | Alike refused the stored credential | Approve the new code |
server did not confirm test session | The final check failed | Run --doctor |
Another sweep is already running. | A capture is running | Wait |
Not paired yet — archiving locally; the next paired sweep uploads. | The machine is not paired | Pair with --doctor |
<Agent>: could not unwire (<reason>) — remove it by hand. | The uninstaller could not read a settings file | Remove Alike’s entries by hand |
Scheduled sweeps via launchd are macOS-only for now | You used --enable-scheduled-sweep on Linux | Add the cron line that the installer prints |
alike-setup failed: <details> | An unexpected error | Send the output to support@alike.work |
Doctor
See Check your setup for every line that the doctor prints.In your agent
| Message | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
Alike auth expired — run `npx @alikeai/setup --doctor` | The machine’s credential stopped working | Run the command |
Rate limit exceeded (can include Retry after N seconds.) | Too many requests from you or your network | Wait, then try again |
Authentication failed | The MCP client is not signed in, or your account has no workspace yet | Sign in again from the client. If it keeps asking, finish setup in the web app |
<Item> not found, or you don't have permission to read it. | The item does not exist, or you cannot see it | Check the ID. Ask the owner to share it |
You don't have a row at this URN. Specify mode: create_local (private note) or suggest_to_owner (A2A propose). | The agent tried to change a teammate’s item | Ask the agent to suggest the change, or make a private copy |
Writing to a colleague's item would create your private copy. Pass confirmed:true to proceed… | A plan or calendar tool on a teammate’s item | Confirm to change your private copy, or suggest the change to the owner |
Unknown tool | The tool name does not exist | Ask the agent to list the tools again |
Web app
| Message | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
That code is invalid or has expired. Ask your installer for a fresh code and try again. | The pairing code is wrong, old, or used, or Alike could not be reached | Run npx @alikeai/setup --doctor for a new code |
Please verify your email address before logging in. | You did not verify your email | Click the link in the email, or enter the 6-digit code |
Invalid or expired code. Please try again. | The email verification code is wrong or old | Select Resend confirmation email |
Invalid invite code. Please check and try again. | The beta invite code is wrong | Check the code |
This invite code has expired. / This invite code has reached its maximum uses. | The beta invite code cannot be used | Ask for a new code, or join the waitlist |
This invite link has expired / This invite link has reached its usage limit | The workspace invite link cannot be used | Ask for a new link |
Account scheduled for deletion | Your account is in the deletion grace period | Email privacy@alike.ai to cancel |
Could not apply the default privacy preset — try again. | Setup could not save your sharing level | Select Continue again |
Too many invite links created recently. Please try again later. | You created many invite links in a short time | Wait, then try again |
Well, this is awkward... | The web app cannot reach Alike | Select Retry Connection |