> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.chief.bot/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Understanding task error cards and retry actions

> Learn what Chief's task error messages mean and whether to retry the prompt, switch models, or take another action.

When Chief cannot complete a response, an error card explains what happened and what you can do next. Depending on the cause, you may be able to retry the same prompt, try another model, add credits, shorten the conversation, or ask an organization owner for help.

## Read the error card

The card starts with a title for the type of failure, followed by an explanation and suggested next step. When Chief knows which model failed, it also shows **Model: \{model}**.

Some cards include **Show technical details**. Open it when you need more diagnostic information for [Chief Support](/help/help-feedback-whats-new/getting-help-in-chief); select **Hide technical details** to close it again. This control only appears when the provider returned additional system information.

A red card marks a fatal error. A gray card marks a non-fatal error and does not offer retry buttons.

## Choose a retry action

On a fatal error, Chief can show one or both of these actions when it can recover your original prompt:

* **Try Again** — submits the same prompt again.
* **Try with \{model}** or **Try with a different model** — submits the prompt through another available model.

For an AI-model refusal, Chief may show only the model-switching action when another model is available. If no alternative is available, the card falls back to **Try Again**. Other fatal errors can show both actions.

If a retry finishes on a different model than expected, Chief shows **Routed to \{actual} — \{promised} wasn't available.** beneath the completed response. This means the retry succeeded after Chief rerouted it; you can [select a specific model](/help/the-prompt-bar-scope/selecting-a-specific-model-llm) again for a later prompt.

If the card has no buttons, follow its guidance or use the broader [task recovery steps](/help/troubleshooting/a-chat-failed-or-stopped-how-to-recover).

## Match the message to the next step

| Error title                               | What to do                                                                                                            |
| ----------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **The AI model declined this request**    | Rephrase security- or safety-sensitive wording, or try another model.                                                 |
| **The AI provider is overloaded**         | Wait briefly and try again, or switch models.                                                                         |
| **Too many requests right now**           | Wait for the provider's rate limit to clear, then try again.                                                          |
| **You've run out of credits**             | [Add credits or upgrade your plan](/help/plans-credits-billing/what-happens-when-you-run-out-of-credits), then retry. |
| **This conversation is too large**        | Shorten your request or [start a new task](/help/chatting-with-chief/how-chats-work) with only the context you need.  |
| **This request took too long**            | Try again or simplify the request.                                                                                    |
| **This request was cancelled**            | Try again to continue.                                                                                                |
| **The AI provider rejected your API key** | Ask an organization owner to [update the provider key](/help/organization-administration/adding-ai-provider-keys).    |

If Chief cannot classify the failure, the card shows **Unable to complete operation** with the provider's message or a general retry suggestion.

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Why do I see only Try with a different model, not Try Again?">
    When a model declines a request and Chief has another model available, the card offers the model-switching action instead of **Try Again**. This avoids immediately sending the same request back to the model that declined it.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why are there no retry buttons on my error card?">
    Retry actions appear only for fatal errors when Chief can recover the original prompt. Follow the message on the card, then use the [task recovery guide](/help/troubleshooting/a-chat-failed-or-stopped-how-to-recover) if you still cannot continue.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Should I include technical details in a support request?">
    Yes, when the disclosure is available. Copy the technical details along with the task link, approximate time of the failure, and the model shown on the card. Send them through [Get Help](/help/help-feedback-whats-new/getting-help-in-chief).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>