---
phase: 05-polish-deploy
plan: 02
subsystem: error-handling
tags: [n8n, error-messages, credentials, security]

# Dependency graph
requires:
  - phase: 05-01
    provides: keyword-router, nlu-removal
provides:
  - terse-error-messages
  - credential-based-auth
  - exportable-workflow
affects: [deployment-readme]

# Tech tracking
tech-stack:
  added: []
  patterns: [terse-errors, credential-references]

key-files:
  created: []
  modified: [n8n-workflow.json]

key-decisions:
  - "Terse error format: 'Failed to {action} {container}' without technical details"
  - "Docker socket errors: 'Cannot connect to Docker' regardless of underlying error"
  - "Credential type: telegramAuth with userId field for user authentication"

patterns-established:
  - "Error messages single-line: no stack traces, no HTTP codes in user-facing text"
  - "Credential references via $credentials.telegramAuth.userId in IF nodes"

# Metrics
duration: 3min
completed: 2026-02-01
---

# Phase 5 Plan 02: Error Hardening & Credential Migration Summary

**Terse error messages ("Cannot connect to Docker", "Failed to X Y") and user ID moved to n8n credentials system**

## Performance

- **Duration:** 3 min
- **Started:** 2026-02-01T02:12:51Z
- **Completed:** 2026-02-01T02:15:32Z
- **Tasks:** 2
- **Files modified:** 1

## Accomplishments
- All Docker socket errors now show "Cannot connect to Docker" (4 locations)
- Action failures show "Failed to {action} {container}" without verbose details
- User ID removed from workflow JSON - now uses `$credentials.telegramAuth.userId`
- Workflow can be safely exported and shared without exposing sensitive data

## Task Commits

Each task was committed atomically:

1. **Task 1: Standardize error messages** - `cab0914` (chore)
2. **Task 2: Migrate user ID to credentials** - `1e6c31f` (feat)

## Files Created/Modified
- `n8n-workflow.json` - Updated error messages and auth node credential references

## Decisions Made
- **Terse error format:** "Failed to {action} {container}" without HTTP codes or technical details
- **Docker socket errors:** Unified to "Cannot connect to Docker" message
- **Credential naming:** `telegramAuth` credential type with `userId` field (per RESEARCH.md pattern)
- **Removed switch/case error handling:** All action errors now use single terse message

## Deviations from Plan

None - plan executed exactly as written.

## Issues Encountered

None

## User Setup Required

**External services require manual configuration.** During deployment:

1. Create "Telegram Auth" credential in n8n:
   - Type: Header Auth (or generic credential)
   - Name: `Telegram Auth`
   - Field: `userId` = your Telegram user ID

2. After importing workflow, map credentials:
   - `Telegram API` -> your bot token credential
   - `Telegram Auth` -> your user ID credential

## Next Phase Readiness
- Error messages production-ready (terse, user-friendly)
- Workflow exportable without sensitive data
- Ready for Plan 03: Deployment README

---
*Phase: 05-polish-deploy*
*Completed: 2026-02-01*