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

# Error Codes

> Understand Unkey's structured error code system with categories for authentication, authorization, data, and application errors with fix guidance.

## Introduction

Unkey's error system uses a structured approach to organize and identify errors across the platform. This system makes it easier to understand, debug, and handle errors consistently.

## Error Code Format

All Unkey error codes follow a consistent URN-like format:

```text theme={"theme":"kanagawa-wave"}
err:system:category:specific
```

For example: `err:unkey:authentication:missing`

This format breaks down as follows:

* **err**: Standard prefix for all error codes
* **system**: The service area or responsibility domain (e.g., unkey, user)
* **category**: The error type or classification (e.g., authentication, data)
* **specific**: The exact error condition (e.g., missing, malformed)

## Systems

The "system" component identifies where the error originated:

* **unkey**: Errors originating from Unkey's internal systems
* **github**: Errors related to GitHub integration
* **aws**: Errors related to AWS integration

## Categories

The "category" component provides a second level of classification, for example:

* **authentication**: Errors related to the authentication process
* **authorization**: Errors related to permissions and access control
* **application**: Errors related to application operations and system integrity
* **data**: Errors related to data operations and resources
* **limits**: Rate limiting or quota-related errors

## Error Response Format

When an error occurs, the API returns a consistent JSON response format:

```json theme={"theme":"kanagawa-wave"}
{
  "meta": {
    "requestId": "req_2c9a0jf23l4k567"
  },
  "error": {
    "detail": "Authentication credentials were not provided",
    "status": 401,
    "title": "Unauthorized",
    "type": "https://unkey.com/docs/errors/unkey/authentication/missing"
  }
}
```

Key fields:

* **requestId**: Unique identifier for the request (important for support)
* **detail**: Human-readable explanation of the error
* **status**: HTTP status code
* **title**: Short summary of the error type
* **type**: URL to detailed documentation about this error

## Documentation Integration

All error codes have a corresponding documentation page accessible via the `type` URL in the error response. These pages provide detailed information about:

* What caused the error
* How to fix the issue
* Common mistakes that lead to this error
* Related errors you might encounter