paperclipai/paperclip · error · Error

Refusing to use unsafe install-store marker

Error message

Refusing to use unsafe install-store marker ${paths.markerPath}.

What it means

initializeInstallStore lstat'ed the .managed-install marker and found it is not a regular unlinked file; the guard refuses unsafe marker shapes before using the store.

Solutions

1. Remove or replace the unsafe marker at ${paths.markerPath} (not a symlink, regular file owned by you).
2. Choose a different install-store directory.

When it happens

Trigger: Thrown at cli/src/install-store.ts:95 when the library encounters an invalid state.

Common situations: See trigger scenarios.

AI-assisted analysis of paperclipai/paperclip@01ad858492 (2026-08-18). Data as JSON: /api/errors/31d0952799f7555b. Report an issue: GitHub.

Appendix: source

Thrown at cli/src/install-store.ts:95

  return {
    paperclipHome,
    cliRoot,
    installsRoot: path.join(cliRoot, "installs"),
    manifestPath: path.join(cliRoot, "install.json"),
    markerPath: path.join(cliRoot, ".managed-install"),
    lockPath: path.join(cliRoot, ".install.lock"),
    currentPath: path.join(cliRoot, "current"),
    shimPath: path.join(homeDir, ".local", "bin", "paperclipai"),
  };
}

export function initializeInstallStore(paths = resolveInstallStorePaths()): void {
  ensurePrivateDirectory(paths.cliRoot);
  ensurePrivateDirectory(paths.installsRoot);
  try {
    const markerStat = fs.lstatSync(paths.markerPath);
    if (!markerStat.isFile() || markerStat.isSymbolicLink() || markerStat.nlink > 1) {
      throw new Error(`Refusing to use unsafe install-store marker ${paths.markerPath}.`);
    }
    assertOwnedByCurrentUser(markerStat, paths.markerPath);
    if (fs.readFileSync(paths.markerPath, "utf8") !== MANAGED_STORE_MARKER) {
      throw new Error(`Refusing to use unrecognized install store ${paths.cliRoot}.`);
    }
  } catch (error) {
    if ((error as NodeJS.ErrnoException).code !== "ENOENT") throw error;
    try {
      fs.writeFileSync(paths.markerPath, MANAGED_STORE_MARKER, { mode: 0o600, flag: "wx" });
    } catch (writeError) {
      if (
        (writeError as NodeJS.ErrnoException).code !== "EEXIST" ||
        fs.readFileSync(paths.markerPath, "utf8") !== MANAGED_STORE_MARKER
      ) {
        throw writeError;
      }
    }
  }

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