# X_DB_BRANCH_FAILED

## Means

`x db branch` refused, or failed for a reason no framework error claimed

## Typical cause

**two shapes under one code.** A deliberate refusal: `delete` aimed at a name `x db branch list` does not show, whose `cause` names the exact database or data directory it *would* have touched, so the refusal is checkable rather than assertable. Or an unclaimed failure of any of the three verbs — the clone connection refused, the data directory unwritable. `X_BRANCH_EXISTS` (the name is taken) and `X_SQL_UNSAFE` (the name is not `[a-z0-9_-]+`) reach you as themselves

## Fix

for the refusal, `x db branch list --json` — the name is not in the set, and only what that lists can be deleted. Otherwise read `cause`, then `x doctor --json`

[Entity and database](/error-codes#entity-and-database)