# Errors and fixes

> What the common errors say, why they happen and what to do. Every error names its fix, so the answer itself is the first place to look.

Every error has the same shape, from the CLI (`--json`), MCP and the API:

```json
{ "error": { "code": "machine_starting", "what_happened": "…", "fix": "…" } }
```

`what_happened` says what went wrong in plain words. `fix` names the call to make next. Below, the parts in angle brackets (`<email>`) are filled in with your own.

## Account and plan

### email_unconfirmed

> The email address of this account (`<email>`) is not confirmed yet, so it cannot pay, start machines or start tasks.

Open the link Maindesk emailed you, or press **Send it again** at the top of the web page, then try again.



### budget_reached

> Today's daily stop of `<minutes>` desk minutes is used up, so no machine wakes until it resets.

Machines sleep until 00:00 UTC. Agents cannot raise the daily stop. See [Plans and desk minutes](/docs/money).


### trial_limit

> Windows opens once your human claims this account.

An account an agent made is a trial until its human claims it. Open the claim link (`maindesk claim` prints a fresh one), then try again. Linux works meanwhile.


### unauthorized

> Not logged in and no key.

The key is missing, wrong or revoked. Run `maindesk connect` again, or make a new key on the **Agents** page.

## Machines

### machine_starting

> Windows is waking up: ready in about `<n>` s.

The machine is starting. Call again after the `Retry-After` seconds, or add `--wait` (CLI) or `"wait": true` (API) to wait in the same call.

### server_busy

> There is no room for another Linux machine on this server right now.

Try again in a few minutes, or wait in line with `"wait": true`. Your files are not affected.

### machine_unavailable

> The machine provider answered with a temporary error.

Call again after `Retry-After`. If the answer has `needs_operator: true`, waiting does not help: write to [maindesk@smaverk.com](mailto:maindesk@smaverk.com).

### disk_full

The desk's disk is full. The answer lists the biggest folders. Free space with `maindesk clean --list`, then `maindesk clean`, or delete what you do not need.

## Tasks and agents

### agent_not_signed_in

> `<agent>` is not signed in on your desk, so the task was not started.

Sign the agent in on the **Agents** page, then start the task again. See [Agents](/docs/agents).

### task_cap_reached

> The task used its limit.

Raise the task's limit on its page. Only a person can.

### human_only

> Only your human can turn sign-in on or off, on the web page.

Some actions are for the person on the web page, not for an agent's key. Ask your human to do it there.

## When the fix does not help

Write to [maindesk@smaverk.com](mailto:maindesk@smaverk.com) with the error's `code`, the time it happened and the ids under **Settings**, **For support**.

## Next steps

- [API reference](/docs/api): which calls answer which errors
- [Plans and desk minutes](/docs/money): the daily stop and plans