nikivdev/code · error · anyhow::Error

direnv is not on PATH. Install it from…

Error message

direnv is not on PATH. Install it from https://direnv.net/#installation and rerun `flow doctor`.

What it means

flow doctor requires direnv for environment loading. ensure_direnv_on_path checks `which direnv`; before failing it attempts an automatic install via zerobrew. If that install fails or does not put direnv on PATH, it bails with the official install link.

Solutions

Install direnv per https://direnv.net/#installation and rerun `flow doctor`
Install zerobrew first so the doctor's automatic direnv install can run
Add direnv's install location to your PATH

Defensive patterns

Strategy: validation

Validate before calling

if which::which("direnv").is_err() {
    eprintln!("direnv missing; install from https://direnv.net/#installation");
}

Prevention

Install direnv via your package manager during setup
Ensure zerobrew is available if you rely on the doctor's auto-install
Confirm `direnv hook` is wired into your shell and the binary resolves

When it happens

Trigger: Running `flow doctor` when direnv is not on PATH and the zerobrew auto-install either was skipped (zerobrew unavailable), reported failure, or installed to a directory not on PATH.

Common situations: Fresh machine setup, zerobrew not installed so auto-install cannot happen, or direnv installed via an unsupported package manager to a non-PATH location.

Related errors

AI-assisted analysis of nikivdev/code@a747e741ae (2026-09-01). Data as JSON: /api/errors/d8fdbfa98920bc9d. Report an issue: GitHub.

Appendix: source

Thrown at src/doctor.rs:116

    vcs::ensure_jj_installed()?;
    println!("✅ jj found on PATH");
    Ok(())
}

fn ensure_direnv_on_path(zerobrew_available: bool) -> Result<()> {
    match which::which("direnv") {
        Ok(path) => {
            println!("✅ direnv found at {}", path.display());
            Ok(())
        }
        Err(_) => {
            if maybe_install_with_zerobrew(zerobrew_available, "direnv", "direnv")? {
                if let Ok(path) = which::which("direnv") {
                    println!("✅ direnv installed via zerobrew at {}", path.display());
                    return Ok(());
                }
            }
            bail!(
                "direnv is not on PATH. Install it from https://direnv.net/#installation and rerun `flow doctor`."
            )
        }
    }
}

fn find_bundled_lin() -> Option<PathBuf> {
    let exe_dir = std::env::current_exe()
        .ok()
        .and_then(|p| p.parent().map(PathBuf::from))?;
    let candidate = exe_dir.join("lin");
    if candidate.exists() {
        Some(candidate)
    } else {
        None
    }
}

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