Fixing Build Errors
Nativeline’s AI automatically fixes most build errors. But sometimes you need to step in. This guide covers manual intervention when automatic fixes fail.When Manual Intervention is Needed
You’ll need to intervene when:- The AI has tried 3 times and still failing
- The same error keeps recurring
- The AI is stuck in a loop
- You understand the problem better than the AI
The Manual Fix Process
Step-by-Step
1
Recognize the Pattern
If you see the AI attempting fixes repeatedly without success, it’s time to intervene.
2
Press Run App
Click the Run App button in the Nativeline interface.
3
Wait for the Popup
A dialog appears asking what you want to do.
4
Click Apply Fix
Select Apply Fix — the AI will automatically analyze the error and attempt a fix.
What Happens Next
The AI will:- Automatically analyze the error
- Consider approaches it hasn’t tried
- Attempt a new fix
Providing Additional Context (Optional)
Clicking Apply Fix works automatically, but you can optionally help the AI by typing additional context in the chat.When to Provide Context
If Apply Fix alone isn’t solving the problem, try messaging the AI with details:Understanding Common Errors
”Cannot find ‘X’ in scope”
What it means: A variable, function, or type isn’t found. How to help:”Type ‘X’ has no member ‘Y’”
What it means: Accessing a property or method that doesn’t exist. How to help:“Cannot convert value of type…”
What it means: Type mismatch. How to help:“Missing argument for parameter”
What it means: Function call is incomplete. How to help:“Value of optional type must be unwrapped”
What it means: Using a possibly-nil value unsafely. How to help:When the Same Error Keeps Returning
If the same error persists despite multiple fixes:1. Try a Different Approach
2. Simplify
3. Remove and Rebuild
4. Work Around It
Using the Code Editor (Pro)
With a Pro plan, you can investigate and fix errors yourself:Finding the Error
- Open Code Editor tab
- Files with errors are highlighted
- Click to see the exact line
- Error message appears inline
Making Manual Fixes
If you spot an obvious fix:- Edit the code directly
- Save (Cmd+S)
- The app rebuilds automatically
When to Edit Manually
Manual edits work well for:- Obvious typos
- Simple variable name changes
- Quick value adjustments
- Adding missing imports
Breaking the Error Loop
Sometimes the AI gets stuck trying the same thing repeatedly.Signs of a Loop
- Same error message over and over
- AI making the same changes
- Undoing its own fixes
- No progress after multiple attempts
Breaking Out
Option 1: Explicit Different ApproachPreventing Future Errors
Build Incrementally
Don’t request huge features all at once: ❌ “Build a complete e-commerce system” ✅ “Add a product list page” → “Add product details” → “Add cart” → etc.Be Specific
Vague requests lead to implementation mistakes: ❌ “Make it work” ✅ “Connect the save button to store the form data in SwiftData”Test Frequently
Check after each change. Catching errors early is easier than debugging cascading failures.Use Reference Images
Visual references reduce misunderstandings and implementation errors.When to Start Fresh
Sometimes starting over is faster than fixing:Signs It’s Time to Rebuild
- Multiple interconnected errors
- Fundamental design flaw
- More time debugging than building
- The code structure is wrong
Partial Rebuild
Full Restart (Rare)
If the whole project is broken:- Create a new project
- Describe your working features
- Rebuild more carefully
Getting Help
If you’re stuck and nothing works:Discord Community
Get help from other users
Contact Support
Email with your error details
- macOS version
- What you were building
- The error message (screenshot)
- What you’ve tried