> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://alike.help/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Error messages > Messages from the installer, your agent, and the web app, with the cause and the fix. Search this page for the text of your message. `<...>` stands for text that changes. ## Installer | Message | Cause | Fix | | - | - | - | | `Alike setup needs Node 18+ (found v). 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 ). Nothing to do.` | No agent settings folder found. `scanned 0` means that `--harness=` names no known agent | [No agents found](https://alike.help/help/troubleshooting.md#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=` | | `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](https://alike.help/use/sessions-and-capture.md#set-up-an-hourly-capture) | | `Refusing to touch : 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 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:` | | `/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 hook script` | You have your own Cline hook scripts | Add the commands that the installer prints to your scripts | | `could not vendor — 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 ` | Network, firewall, or proxy problem | [Alike cannot be reached](https://alike.help/help/troubleshooting.md#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 ()` | 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 ` | Environment variables point to a different server | `unset ALIKE_BASE_URL ALIKE_TOKEN` | | `The exported ALIKE_BASE_URL/ALIKE_TOKEN pair for 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` | | `: could not unwire () — 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:
` | An unexpected error | Send the output to [support@alike.work](mailto:support@alike.work) | ## Doctor See [Check your setup](https://alike.help/help/doctor.md) 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 | | ` 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](mailto: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** | This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.