# Troubleshooting

Use this page to isolate where a failure lives. Start with the smallest surface that proves the most: local CLI first, then gateway, then WebUI or chat apps.

## Fast Diagnosis Order

Run these in order:

```bash
nanobot --version
nanobot status
nanobot agent -m "Hello!"
```

Then, only if the CLI works:

```bash
nanobot gateway
```

This separates failures into layers:

| Layer | What it proves |
|---|---|
| `nanobot --version` | Install and shell command discovery |
| `nanobot status` | Config path, workspace, environment references, and active provider/model configuration |
| `nanobot agent -m "Hello!"` | Config loading, provider/model access, workspace writes, and agent loop |
| `nanobot gateway` | Channel startup, cron system jobs, heartbeat, WebUI/WebSocket, and health endpoint |

If `nanobot agent -m "Hello!"` fails, fix that before debugging WebUI, Telegram, Discord, Docker, systemd, or any chat app.

`nanobot status` does not call the model. If provider/model setup is incomplete, it points to
WebUI **Settings → Models** or the CLI setup wizard, then prints the command to check again.

## How to Read `nanobot status`

`nanobot status` does not call a model. It checks the selected config and workspace,
resolves environment references, and validates the local settings required by the active
provider/model without constructing a provider client.

The output has this shape:

```text
nanobot Status

Config: /path/to/config.json ✓
Workspace: /path/to/workspace ✓
Model: provider/model-name (preset: primary)
Agent: ✓ provider/model configuration is ready
Provider A: not set
Provider B: ✓
Local Provider: ✓ http://localhost:11434/v1
OAuth Provider: ✓ (OAuth)
```

Read it like this:

| Line | Good sign | What to do if it looks wrong |
|---|---|---|
| `Config` | It points to the config file you meant to use and shows `✓`. | Run `nanobot onboard`, or pass `--config` to `nanobot agent`, `gateway`, or `serve` when testing a non-default instance. |
| `Workspace` | It points to the workspace you meant to use and shows `✓`. | Run `nanobot onboard`, create the folder, fix permissions, or pass `--workspace` on commands that support it. |
| `Model` | It shows the active model or the preset name you expect. | Set `agents.defaults.modelPreset` to the intended preset, or check `/model` if you changed models during a chat session. |
| `Agent` | It says `provider/model configuration is ready`. | Follow the printed WebUI or CLI setup route, then run `nanobot status` again. |
| Provider rows | The provider used by the active preset shows `✓`, an OAuth marker, or a local URL. | Configure only the active provider first. It is normal for unused providers to say `not set`. |

If `nanobot status` looks right but `nanobot agent -m "Hello!"` fails, the install and config paths are probably fine. Continue with [Provider and Model Problems](#provider-and-model-problems).

## Installation Problems

Use the same Python command for install checks and module fallback. On macOS/Linux that may be `python3`; on Windows it may be `python` or `py`.

| Symptom | Check |
|---|---|
| `python: command not found` | Try `python3 --version` on macOS/Linux or `py --version` on Windows. Then replace `python` in docs commands with the command that worked. |
| `curl: command not found` | The macOS/Linux one-command installer could not download the script. Install curl, or use a manual isolated install such as `uv tool install nanobot-ai` or `pipx install nanobot-ai`. |
| `irm` is not recognized | PowerShell could not run the download helper. Use manual install: `uv tool install nanobot-ai`, `pipx install nanobot-ai`, or `py -m pip install nanobot-ai` inside an environment you control. |
| Could not download `raw.githubusercontent.com` | Your network, proxy, or firewall blocked the installer script download. Use manual install from PyPI, or configure your proxy and rerun the command. |
| `nanobot: command not found` | Use the module form, for example `python -m nanobot ...`, `python3 -m nanobot ...`, or `py -m nanobot ...`. Reinstall with the same Python command, or add that Python's scripts directory to `PATH`. |
| `No module named nanobot` | You are running a different Python than the one used for installation. Run `python -m pip show nanobot-ai`, `python3 -m pip show nanobot-ai`, or `py -m pip show nanobot-ai`, matching the command that installed nanobot. |
| `pip is not available` | When the installer uses a virtual environment, it tries `python -m ensurepip --upgrade`. If that fails, install pip for that Python, or use a Python installer/distribution that includes pip. |
| `externally-managed-environment` | Your system Python blocks global pip installs. Use the one-command installer, `uv tool install nanobot-ai`, `pipx install nanobot-ai`, or create a virtual environment; do not add `--break-system-packages` for nanobot. |
| Installer chose the wrong Python | Set `PYTHON` before running the installer, such as `curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/HKUDS/nanobot/main/scripts/install.sh | PYTHON=python3 sh` or `$env:PYTHON="py"` before the PowerShell command. |
| Editable source install does not update | From the repo root, run `python -m pip install -e .` again with the Python command used for development, then check `python -m nanobot --version` or `nanobot --version`. |
| WebUI build tools missing | They are only needed for WebUI development. Packaged installs already include the WebUI bundle. |

## Config Problems

Default config path:

```text
~/.nanobot/config.json
```

Default workspace path:

```text
~/.nanobot/workspace/
```

`nanobot status` reads the default config unless you pass explicit paths. Use the same `--config` and `--workspace` across status checks and runtime commands when debugging multiple instances:

```bash
nanobot status --config ./bot-a/config.json --workspace ./bot-a/workspace
nanobot agent --config ./bot-a/config.json --workspace ./bot-a/workspace -m "Hello"
nanobot gateway --config ./bot-a/config.json --workspace ./bot-a/workspace
```

Common config mistakes:

| Symptom | Check |
|---|---|
| JSON parse error | Validate commas, braces, and quotes. Most docs examples are partial snippets to merge. |
| Unknown or missing provider | Use provider registry names such as `openrouter`, `anthropic`, `openai`, `ollama`, `vllm`, `lm_studio`, or define a custom OpenAI-compatible provider key under `providers` and reference that exact key from the active preset. |
| snake_case vs camelCase confusion | Both are accepted, but docs use camelCase because nanobot writes config with aliases such as `apiKey`, `modelPresets`, `intervalS`. |
| Environment variable error | `${VAR_NAME}` references are resolved at startup. Set the variable before running nanobot. |
| Edited config but behavior did not change | Restart `nanobot gateway`; long-running processes read config at startup. |

After editing config, check the shortest path to an Agent reply:

```bash
nanobot status
```

To refresh missing defaults without overwriting existing settings, run:

```bash
nanobot onboard --refresh
```

For an interactive choice between resetting and refreshing, run `nanobot onboard` and choose the option that keeps current values and merges missing defaults.

## Provider and Model Problems

First prove the provider in the CLI:

```bash
nanobot agent -m "Hello!"
```

Then compare your config against [`providers.md`](./providers.md).

If you need a known-good snippet instead of diagnosis, use [`provider-cookbook.md`](./provider-cookbook.md).

| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| 401, unauthorized, invalid API key | Key is missing, expired, pasted with whitespace, or under the wrong provider key. |
| Model not found | The model ID belongs to a different provider or gateway. |
| Provider cannot be inferred | Pin `modelPresets.<name>.provider` in the active preset instead of using `"auto"`. For legacy direct configs, pin `agents.defaults.provider`. |
| Local model connection refused | Ollama, vLLM, LM Studio, or another local server is not running, or `apiBase` points to the wrong port. |
| Bedrock validation error | Check AWS region, credentials, model access, model ID, and whether the model supports Converse. |
| OAuth provider fails | Run the matching login command: `openai-codex`, `xai-grok`, or `github-copilot`, normally with `--set-main`. |
| Codex OAuth needs a proxy | Set `providers.openaiCodex.proxy` before running the login command. The proxy applies to login, token refresh, and Codex API requests. |
| Codex login runs on a remote/headless machine | In the WebUI, open ChatGPT in your local browser; when the localhost callback page cannot load, copy the full `http://localhost:1455/auth/callback?...` URL from the address bar and paste it into the WebUI dialog. From the CLI, open the printed URL locally and paste the same callback URL back into the terminal. |
| Codex login runs in Docker | Start the container with `docker run -it` so the OAuth flow has an interactive terminal. |
| Codex says a model is not supported with a ChatGPT account | Use provider `openai_codex` with a Codex model such as `openai-codex/gpt-5.6-sol`. Do not use the direct-API `openai/...` prefix with Codex OAuth. |
| Config says `providers.openai_codex` conflicts with the built-in provider | Under `providers`, keep only the canonical `openaiCodex` settings key and remove a duplicate `openai_codex` key. A model preset's `provider` value remains `openai_codex`. |
| xAI OAuth needs a proxy | Set `providers.xaiGrok.proxy` before login. It applies to OAuth discovery, token exchange/refresh, and Grok subscription requests. |
| xAI login runs on a remote/headless machine | In the WebUI, finish sign-in in your local browser; if the loopback redirect cannot reach the server, copy the final URL from the address bar into the WebUI dialog. From the CLI, run `nanobot provider login xai-grok` interactively, open the printed URL elsewhere, and paste the final callback URL or authorization code when prompted. |
| xAI returns 403 or subscription access denied | Confirm the signed-in account has an eligible X Premium / Grok subscription, then run `nanobot provider login xai-grok` again. This provider does not use an xAI API key or X Developer OAuth. |
| xAI returns 400 `invalid-argument` | Read the bounded `Response body` appended to the provider error. Hosted `x_search` is sent only when xAI's model catalog advertises `supportsBackendSearch`; the model ID `grok-4.5` itself is valid. |
| xAI model or X Search stops working after an upstream release | The integration follows Grok Build's public OAuth/proxy client contract. Update nanobot if xAI changes that contract. |

## Langfuse Problems

Langfuse tracing is optional and controlled by environment variables.

| Symptom | Check |
|---|---|
| `LANGFUSE_SECRET_KEY is set but langfuse is not installed` | Install `langfuse` in the same Python environment that runs nanobot, then restart the process. |
| No traces appear | Set `LANGFUSE_SECRET_KEY`, `LANGFUSE_PUBLIC_KEY`, and `LANGFUSE_BASE_URL` before starting nanobot. |
| Wrong Langfuse project or region | Check that the key pair and `LANGFUSE_BASE_URL` come from the same Langfuse project/region. |
| Only some providers trace | Langfuse tracing applies to OpenAI-compatible provider calls; native providers may not use that client path. |

See [`configuration.md#langfuse-observability`](./configuration.md#langfuse-observability) for setup commands.

## Gateway Problems

`nanobot gateway` is required for WebUI, chat apps, heartbeat, Dream, and long-running channel connections.

Default ports:

| Surface | Default |
|---|---|
| Gateway health endpoint | `http://127.0.0.1:18790/health` |
| WebUI/WebSocket channel | `http://127.0.0.1:8765` |
| OpenAI-compatible API (`nanobot serve`) | `http://127.0.0.1:8900` |

Common gateway checks:

```bash
nanobot gateway --verbose
```

| Symptom | Check |
|---|---|
| Port already in use | Change `gateway.port`, `channels.websocket.port`, or the `--port` CLI flag for the relevant command. |
| WebUI opened on `18790` but shows nothing useful | Open `8765`; `18790` is the health endpoint. |
| Config changes ignored | Restart the gateway. |
| Startup pauses at `Installing optional feature` | An enabled channel is missing its Python dependencies. See [Slow Optional Channel Dependency Installation](#slow-optional-channel-dependency-installation). |
| Heartbeat never runs | Keep the gateway running, add tasks under `<workspace>/HEARTBEAT.md` -> `## Active Tasks`, and make sure `gateway.heartbeat.enabled` is true. |
| Cron jobs disappeared after switching workspaces | Cron jobs are workspace-scoped at `<workspace>/cron/jobs.json`; check you are using the intended workspace. |

### Slow Optional Channel Dependency Installation

Before loading enabled channels, the gateway checks the dependencies declared by their
channel manifests. The CLI and WebUI normally install these dependencies when a channel is
enabled. Installation during startup is a recovery path for an enabled config whose Python
environment no longer has the required packages, for example after manually editing the
config, upgrading nanobot, or recreating an isolated `uv tool`/`pipx` environment. The
gateway waits for the install so an enabled channel is not silently skipped; later starts
skip the installation once the dependencies are present.

If access to PyPI is slow in your region, configure pip to use a trusted package index. The
installer honors the standard `PIP_INDEX_URL` environment variable, including when nanobot
itself was installed with `uv tool`:

```bash
PIP_INDEX_URL=https://your-trusted-mirror.example/simple nanobot gateway
```

For the systemd user service created by `nanobot gateway install-service`, add a drop-in:

```bash
systemctl --user edit nanobot-gateway.service
```

```ini
[Service]
Environment="PIP_INDEX_URL=https://your-trusted-mirror.example/simple"
```

Then reload and restart the service:

```bash
systemctl --user daemon-reload
systemctl --user restart nanobot-gateway.service
```

For a system-level or custom service, use `sudo systemctl edit <unit>` instead. Prefer an
HTTPS index operated by an organization you trust, and do not put index credentials in
commands or logs.

## WebUI Problems

The packaged WebUI is served by the WebSocket channel.

Minimal config:

```json
{
  "channels": {
    "websocket": {
      "enabled": true
    }
  }
}
```

Then run:

```bash
nanobot gateway
```

Open:

```text
http://127.0.0.1:8765
```

If accessing from another device, bind the WebSocket channel to `0.0.0.0` and set `token` or `tokenIssueSecret`. The WebSocket channel refuses public binds without a token or token issue secret.

| Symptom | Check |
|---|---|
| A temporary chat disappeared after a reload or reconnect | This is expected. Temporary chats exist only for the current WebUI connection and are not saved to history or memory. Use a regular topic for anything you need to retain. |
| A skills.sh install says that `npx` is required | Install Node.js with `npx` on the gateway machine, or choose a SkillHub skill that does not require `npx`. |
| A remote browser says skill installation is disabled | Install from a same-machine WebUI. For a private deployment where every authenticated user is trusted to install third-party skill instructions or scripts, explicitly enable `tools.webuiAllowRemotePackageInstall`. |

See [`webui.md#lan-access`](./webui.md#lan-access) for LAN setup and [`../webui/README.md`](../webui/README.md) for frontend development.

## Chat App Problems

Before debugging a chat app:

```bash
nanobot agent -m "Hello!"
nanobot channels status
nanobot gateway
```

Then check:

| Symptom | Check |
|---|---|
| Bot never replies | Gateway is not running, the channel is not enabled, or the bot/app token is wrong. |
| Unknown sender ignored | Configure `allowFrom`, pairing, or the channel-specific allow list. |
| Telegram shows a saved configuration but cannot complete a live check | The token is saved. Confirm the gateway can reach `api.telegram.org`, or open **Settings → Channels → Telegram → Advanced → Network proxy** and enter an HTTP or SOCKS proxy. |
| Telegram rejects the token | Copy the current token from BotFather or regenerate it. |
| Telegram receives no messages | Confirm the channel is enabled, the gateway is running, and the sender is paired or listed in `allowFrom`. |
| Discord replies missing | Enable Message Content intent and invite the bot with the required permissions. |
| WhatsApp or WeChat login expired | Re-run `nanobot channels login whatsapp` or `nanobot channels login weixin`. |
| Chat app works but WebUI does not | The provider and gateway are likely fine; debug the WebSocket channel separately. |

See [`chat-apps.md`](./chat-apps.md) for channel-specific setup.

## Tool and Workspace Problems

| Symptom | Check |
|---|---|
| File access denied | Check `tools.restrictToWorkspace` and whether the target path is inside the active workspace. |
| Shell commands fail in Docker | Sandbox settings may need Linux capabilities; see [`deployment.md`](./deployment.md). |
| Web fetch blocked | SSRF protection blocks unsafe targets; use `tools.ssrfWhitelist` only for trusted private networks. |
| MCP tools missing | Check `tools.mcpServers`, server startup command, environment variables, and tool allow list. |
| Generated artifacts are missing | Check the active workspace and channel media directory. |

## Memory and Session Problems

| Symptom | Check |
|---|---|
| Conversation context seems wrong | Confirm the active workspace and session. WebUI chats and chat app threads may use different sessions. |
| Memory does not update immediately | Dream consolidation is periodic; recent turns still live in session history. |
| Sessions disappear after changing `--config` | Sessions follow the config directory at `<config-dir>/sessions/<workspace-id>/`; use the original config path or copy that `sessions/` directory into the new config directory while nanobot is stopped. |
| Sessions disappear after moving a workspace | Keep the workspace's `.nanobot/workspace-id` file with the move or backup. If it was lost, restore that marker from backup before starting nanobot. |
| You want one shared session across devices | Set `agents.defaults.unifiedSession` intentionally; otherwise keep separate sessions. |

## Collect Useful Evidence

When opening an issue or asking for help, include:

- install method and `nanobot --version`;
- operating system and Python version;
- the command you ran;
- relevant `nanobot status` output;
- sanitized config snippets, especially provider, model, channel, and tool settings;
- gateway logs from `nanobot gateway --verbose`;
- whether `nanobot agent -m "Hello!"` works.

Never paste real API keys, bot tokens, OAuth tokens, or private chat IDs into public issues.

If you find a docs mistake, outdated command, or confusing step, please open an issue: <https://github.com/HKUDS/nanobot/issues>.
