// troubleshooting guide · espanso
Espanso YAML Config Error
- Status
- Workaround available
- platforms:
- All
- updated:
- November 15, 2026
- reports:
- 2
- Method
- how we research
RUNBOOK · espanso/yaml-config-error3 FIXES
// quick answer
Most config errors are indentation or unquoted special characters. Quote strings with \n, \t or leading special characters and check the log.
Most likely fix: Read the error
How to fix it
// try these in order, the most common fix is first
FIX 1Read the error
- 01Run `espanso log`
- 02Fix the file and line named
Did this fix it?FIX 2Quote values
- 01Wrap strings with newlines, tabs or leading special characters in quotes
- 02Use `|` for multi-line text
Did this fix it?FIX 3Validate
- 01Use spaces only, then `espanso restart`
Did this fix it?
Symptoms
Espanso reports a config error, a match file is ignored, or nothing loads after editing.
Why it happens
- C-01Wrong indentation
- C-02Unquoted special characters
- C-03Tabs instead of spaces
- C-04Duplicate triggers
// this guide also covers
- espanso yaml error
- espanso config error
- espanso match not loading
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