> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://123-87.gitbook.io/signgate-api/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://123-87.gitbook.io/signgate-api/documentation/errors.md).

# Error handling

Errors do not carry a policy decision and never authorize execution.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Primary constraint:** Every non-successful response stops the action.
{% endhint %}

## Status codes

| Status | Meaning                                         | Retry guidance                          |
| ------ | ----------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| `400`  | Malformed JSON or UTF-8                         | Fix request                             |
| `401`  | Authentication failed                           | Fix credential                          |
| `403`  | Scope, authorization, or tenant mismatch        | Fix authorization                       |
| `409`  | Idempotency, reuse, expiry, or consume conflict | Inspect reason; keep identifiers stable |
| `422`  | Schema or contract invalid                      | Fix fields                              |
| `500`  | Invariant or persistence failure                | Retry safely or defer                   |
| `503`  | Policy or dependency unavailable                | Back off or defer                       |

## Error envelope

```json
{
  "contract_version": "0.1",
  "error": "SCHEMA_INVALID",
  "reason_codes": ["SCHEMA_INVALID"],
  "request_id": "req_preview_001",
  "enforcement_effect": "DENY",
  "audit_id": "audit_error_001"
}
```

## Client rule

Do not map a `500` or `503` to `DENY` as a policy conclusion. The enforcement effect is still non-execution, but no policy decision was produced.


---

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