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Birch Code

Troubleshooting

SmartScreen blocks Birch.exe on Windows

Section titled “SmartScreen blocks Birch.exe on Windows”

The current builds are unsigned. Click More info → Run anyway on the SmartScreen prompt. Signed installers are planned for a future release. See Install on Windows.

”Birch cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified” on macOS

Section titled “”Birch cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified” on macOS”

Same root cause: unsigned builds. Either right-click → Open, or run:

Terminal window
xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/Birch.app

See Install on macOS for the full walk-through.

AI commit generation returns an error

Section titled “AI commit generation returns an error”

Check, in order:

  1. API key is set — Settings → AI shows a green “Connected” indicator.
  2. You have quota / credits with the provider.
  3. Your firewall allows outbound HTTPS to api.anthropic.com or api.openai.com.
  4. The model name is one your key has access to — some org accounts gate specific models.

If all of the above check out, copy the request ID from the error toast and file an issue.

Migration created the wrong folder layout

Section titled “Migration created the wrong folder layout”

Migration is reversible for 30 days — Birch Code keeps a .bare-backup/ next to your repo. See the “Rolling back” section of Migrate an existing repo.

Where are my settings stored?

Section titled “Where are my settings stored?”
  • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Birch/
  • Windows: %APPDATA%\Birch\

API keys go through the OS keychain instead and are not in those folders.

Getting help

Section titled “Getting help”