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Overview

This guide covers common errors and how to handle them when using the Compile Labs API.

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Error Response Format

All errors follow a consistent format: 
{
  "error": {
    "message": "Error description",
    "type": "invalid_request_error",
    "code": "invalid_api_key",
    "status": 401
  }
}

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Common Errors

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Authentication Errors

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Invalid API Key

{
  "error": {
    "message": "Invalid API key",
    "type": "authentication_error",
    "code": "invalid_api_key",
    "status": 401
  }
}
Solution: Check your API key is correct and includes the Bearer prefix.

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Missing API Key

{
  "error": {
    "message": "Missing API key",
    "type": "authentication_error",
    "code": "missing_api_key",
    "status": 401
  }
}
Solution: Include the Authorization header with your API key.

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Rate Limit Errors

{
  "error": {
    "message": "Rate limit exceeded",
    "type": "rate_limit_error",
    "code": "rate_limit_exceeded",
    "status": 429
  }
}
Solution: Implement exponential backoff and retry logic. 
import time

def handle_rate_limit(func, max_retries=3):
    for attempt in range(max_retries):
        try:
            return func()
        except RateLimitError as e:
            if attempt < max_retries - 1:
                wait_time = 2 ** attempt
                time.sleep(wait_time)
            else:
                raise

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Invalid Request

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Invalid Model

{
  "error": {
    "message": "Invalid model: unknown/model",
    "type": "invalid_request_error",
    "code": "invalid_model",
    "status": 400
  }
}
Solution: Use a valid model identifier. List available models at /v1/models.

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Invalid Parameters

{
  "error": {
    "message": "Invalid temperature value",
    "type": "invalid_request_error",
    "code": "invalid_parameter",
    "status": 400
  }
}
Solution: Verify parameter ranges (temperature: 0-2, max_tokens: positive integer).

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Insufficient Credits

{
  "error": {
    "message": "Insufficient credits",
    "type": "payment_error",
    "code": "insufficient_credits",
    "status": 402
  }
}
Solution: Add credits to your account or upgrade your plan.

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Model Unavailable

{
  "error": {
    "message": "Model temporarily unavailable",
    "type": "api_error",
    "code": "model_unavailable",
    "status": 503
  }
}
Solution: Retry the request or use an alternative model.

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HTTP Status Codes

  • 200: Success
  • 400: Bad Request - Invalid parameters
  • 401: Unauthorized - Invalid or missing API key
  • 402: Payment Required - Insufficient credits
  • 403: Forbidden - Access denied
  • 404: Not Found - Resource doesn’t exist
  • 429: Too Many Requests - Rate limit exceeded
  • 500: Internal Server Error - Server issue
  • 503: Service Unavailable - Model unavailable

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Next Steps

Examples

See error handling examples

API Reference

Complete API documentation

Support

Get help with errors