Gamma Common Errors

---
name: gamma-common-errors
description: 'Debug and resolve common Gamma API errors.

  Use when encountering authentication failures, rate limits,

  generation errors, or unexpected API responses.

  Trigger with phrases like "gamma error", "gamma not working",

  "gamma API error", "gamma debug", "gamma troubleshoot".

  '
allowed-tools: Read, Write, Edit, Grep
version: 1.13.0
license: MIT
author: Jeremy Longshore <jeremy@intentsolutions.io>
tags:
- saas
- gamma
- api
- debugging
- authentication
compatibility: Designed for Claude Code
---
# Gamma Common Errors

## Instructions

Classify the failure as access, content generation, publish/share, integration, quota, or availability; reproduce safely in staging; apply the smallest reversible correction; verify recovery and safe failure behavior.

## Output

Return an opaque correlation ID, error category, corrective action, verification, owner, and follow-up. Keep private content, viewer details, and credentials out of evidence.

## Error Handling

Pause sharing/publishing on permission, destination, or privacy failures; use bounded retries for transient errors and rollback before replaying content actions.

## Examples

Use a fictional presentation to trigger a controlled publish error, restore the staging configuration, and verify no external audience received content.

## Overview

Reference guide for debugging and resolving common Gamma API errors.

## Prerequisites

- Active Gamma integration
- Access to logs and error messages
- Understanding of HTTP status codes

## Error Reference

### Authentication Errors (401/403)

```typescript
// Error: Invalid API Key
{
  "error": "unauthorized",
  "message": "Invalid or expired API key"
}
```

**Solutions:**

1. Verify API key in Gamma dashboard
2. Check environment variable is set: `echo $GAMMA_API_KEY`
3. Ensure key hasn't been rotated
4. Check for trailing whitespace in key

### Rate Limit Errors (429)

```typescript
// Error: Rate Limited
{
  "error": "rate_limited",
  "message": "Too many requests",
  "retry_after": 60
}
```

**Solutions:**

1. Implement exponential backoff
2. Check rate limit headers: `X-RateLimit-Remaining`
3. Upgrade plan for higher limits
4. Queue requests with delays

```typescript
async function withRetry(fn: () => Promise<any>, maxRetries = 3) {
  for (let i = 0; i < maxRetries; i++) {
    try {
      return await fn();
    } catch (err) {
      if (err.code === 'rate_limited' && i < maxRetries - 1) {
        const delay = (err.retryAfter || Math.pow(2, i)) * 1000;  # 1000: 1 second in ms
        await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, delay));
        continue;
      }
      throw err;
    }
  }
}
```

### Generation Errors (400/500)

```typescript
// Error: Generation Failed
{
  "error": "generation_failed",
  "message": "Unable to generate presentation",
  "details": "Content too complex"
}
```

**Solutions:**

1. Simplify prompt or reduce slide count
2. Remove special characters from content
3. Check content length limits
4. Try different style setting

### Timeout Errors

```typescript
// Error: Request Timeout
{
  "error": "timeout",
  "message": "Request timed out after 30000ms"
}
```

**Solutions:**

1. Increase client timeout setting
2. Use async job pattern for large presentations
3. Check network connectivity
4. Reduce request complexity

```typescript
const gamma = new GammaClient({
  apiKey: process.env.GAMMA_API_KEY,
  timeout: 60000, // 60 seconds  # 60000: 1 minute in ms
});
```

### Export Errors

```typescript
// Error: Export Failed
{
  "error": "export_failed",
  "message": "Unable to export presentation",
  "format": "pdf"
}
```

**Solutions:**

1. Verify presentation exists and is complete
2. Check supported export formats
3. Ensure no pending generation jobs
4. Try exporting with lower quality setting

## Debugging Tools

### Enable Debug Logging

```typescript
const gamma = new GammaClient({
  apiKey: process.env.GAMMA_API_KEY,
  debug: true, // Logs all requests/responses
});
```

### Check API Status

```typescript
const status = await gamma.status();
console.log('API Status:', status.healthy ? 'OK' : 'Issues');
console.log('Services:', status.services);
```

## Error Handling Pattern

```typescript
import { GammaError, RateLimitError, AuthError } from '@gamma/sdk';

try {
  const result = await gamma.presentations.create({ ... });
} catch (err) {
  if (err instanceof AuthError) {
    console.error('Check your API key');
  } else if (err instanceof RateLimitError) {
    console.error(`Retry after ${err.retryAfter}s`);
  } else if (err instanceof GammaError) {
    console.error('API Error:', err.message);
  } else {
    throw err;
  }
}
```

## Resources

- [Gamma Status Page](https://status.gamma.app)
- [Gamma Error Codes](https://gamma.app/docs/errors)
- [Gamma Support](https://gamma.app/support)

## Next Steps

Proceed to `gamma-debug-bundle` for comprehensive debugging tools.