Error: Skill Failed to Run
What Does This Error Mean?
The "Error: Skill Failed to Run" message appears when Assist 2.0's sandbox encounters an issue while executing a skill — for example, processing a file, running a calculation, or generating an output like a spreadsheet or deck. This typically means the system was unable to complete the requested operation — but don't worry, it's usually easy to resolve.
Common Causes
|
Cause |
Description |
|---|---|
|
File format not supported |
The uploaded file may be in a format the skill can't process (e.g. corrupted files, uncommon file types). |
|
File too large |
The file exceeds the size limit the sandbox can handle in a single operation. |
|
Complex or malformed data |
The data inside the file may contain errors, unusual formatting, or excessive complexity. |
|
Timeout |
The task took too long to process and the sandbox timed out before completing. |
|
Missing permissions |
The skill may require tools or access your workspace doesn't have enabled. |
|
Temporary system issue |
Occasionally, a brief server-side hiccup can cause a skill to fail unexpectedly. |
How to Fix It
1. Retry the Task
Sometimes the error is temporary. Simply try running the same request again — this resolves the issue in many cases.
2. Check Your File
- Make sure the file is in a supported format (e.g.
.csv,.xlsx,.pdf,.txt,.json,.pptx,.docx). - Ensure the file is not corrupted — try opening it on your device first to confirm it works.
- Check that the file size is reasonable — if it's very large, try splitting it into smaller parts.
[SCREENSHOT: Assist 2.0 chat showing a failed skill run with the error message and the file that triggered it]
3. Simplify Your Request
- If you're asking Assist to do multiple things at once, try breaking it into smaller steps.
- Reduce the complexity of the data or the number of rows/columns being processed.
- If you're in Execute Mode, try switching to Plan Mode first so you can review and refine the plan before it runs.
4. Re-upload the File
- Remove the file and upload it again to rule out any upload errors.
- If possible, try saving the file in a different format (e.g. save an
.xlsxas.csv) and re-upload.
5. Start a Fresh Chat
Start a new conversation and re-upload your file with a clear, simple prompt. This clears any context that might be confusing the agent.
Still Not Working?
If you've tried all the steps above and the error persists:
- Note down what you were trying to do, the skill that was running (if visible in the activity panel), and the file type you were using.
- Reach out to your workspace admin or contact your account manager so the issue can be investigated further.
Quick Tips to Avoid This Error
✅ Use clean, well-structured files
✅ Stick to common file formats
✅ Keep file sizes manageable
✅ Use clear, specific prompts when asking Assist to process data
✅ Break large tasks into smaller, simpler steps
✅ Use Plan Mode for anything complex so you can sanity-check the approach before it runs