# When it goes wrong

> The messages you can see when an agent can't run, and what fixes each.

Open the [agent panel](https://solipsist.sh/docs/reference/agent-panel/) first: the line under its header says what the page's agents are
doing, and a failed run's last message says what went wrong. These are the ones that come from the engine.

## "Connect a model", and the dialog that says so

No model can run yet. Any one of these fixes it, then restart Solipsist:

- set `SOLIPSIST_OPENROUTER_KEY` in your environment,
- or run `pi`, then `/login`.

See [Connect a model](https://solipsist.sh/docs/start/connect-a-model/).

## "Set SOLIPSIST_OPENROUTER_KEY in your environment, or log in with `pi` (/login openrouter), to use Pi."

The same thing, from the model picker: Pi has no key, no login and no model it can run. Same fix.

## "OpenRouter refused the key in SOLIPSIST_OPENROUTER_KEY (pi.openrouter_key): fix it, or remove it to use Pi's own login."

The provider answered 401: the key is wrong, expired or revoked. Make a new key in your OpenRouter account and replace
it, or remove the key to fall back to a login saved in Pi.

## "OpenRouter refused Pi's key: set SOLIPSIST_OPENROUTER_KEY, or log in again with `pi` (/login openrouter)."

Pi's own saved login was refused. Log in again: run `pi`, then `/login openrouter`.

## "Pi does not know the model …"

The page names a model Pi can't find, usually because it was removed from the provider or your Pi's model list is old.
Pick another model in the agent panel. If you expect it to exist, run `pi` once to refresh Pi's list, then restart.

## "Pi asked for permission (…), which can't be answered here, so it was refused"

A Pi extension or tool asked you to confirm something. An agent runs without anyone at the keyboard, so Solipsist
refuses and carries on. If it keeps happening, remove that extension from your Pi configuration, or take the tool out of
`pi.tools`.

## A run that fails again and again

A request whose runs fail three times in a row (`agent.max_failures`) is declined. Look at the failed run's last
message in the panel, fix what it says, then ask again.

## "Stopped: cost limit reached"

A [spending limit](https://solipsist.sh/docs/agents/how-agents-work/#spending-limits) is reached, so no new run starts. Raise the limit
(`agent.cost_limit_day_usd`, `agent.cost_limit_month_usd`) or set it to `0` to turn it off, and restart.

## Nothing happens

You're probably still typing (runs wait for the page to settle), the agents are off for the page, or the page is open
in another tab that has the agents. The panel's header line says which.

## Still stuck

Run `solipsist doctor` in the folder and paste what it prints into a
[bug report](https://github.com/pulkitsharma07/solipsist/issues/new/choose): it names your version, your system, which
settings file is in effect and why an agent can't run, with no key and no page text.

Source: https://solipsist.sh/docs/engines/when-it-goes-wrong/