> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.usebridge.com/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.usebridge.com/_mcp/server.

# Error Responses

> Understanding Bridge API error responses and handling patterns

Bridge returns structured error responses. Use the `type` field as the primary classifier for handling failures.

Some endpoints also include an optional `message` field with endpoint-specific detail.

## Error shape

**`Error response example`**

```json title="Error response example"
{
  "type": "conflict_error",
  "message": "Invalid Estimate Charge Status"
}
```

| Field     | Required | Description                                                                |
| --------- | -------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `type`    | Yes      | Error category. See [error types](#error-types) below.                     |
| `message` | No       | Endpoint-specific detail. Documented in the API Reference where supported. |

## Message

When present, `message` is a string that narrows the failure within the `type`. Not every endpoint returns `message`, and the set of possible values is defined per endpoint.

Check the endpoint documentation in the API Reference for supported `message` values. For example, billing endpoints may document public `message` values for conflict\_error responses.

## error types

| error\_type             | Brief description                                          |
| ----------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| `invalid_request_error` | Request shape or parameters are invalid.                   |
| `authentication_error`  | Authentication is missing, invalid, or expired.            |
| `permission_error`      | Authenticated caller does not have access to the resource. |
| `resource_error`        | Requested resource was not found.                          |
| `conflict_error`        | Request conflicts with existing resource state.            |
| `validation_error`      | Request data failed validation rules.                      |
| `rate_limit_error`      | Too many requests were sent in a short period.             |
| `api_error`             | Generic server-side failure.                               |