# Troubleshooting
Start with:
```sh
tessera doctor
```
## Missing Database
If a query says the database is missing, run the exact command shown in the
error, usually:
```sh
tessera index . --db .tessera/tessera.db
```
Read-only commands no longer create an empty database silently.
## Stale Snapshot
The MCP server uses `.tessera/snapshot.bin` for hot-path reads. Rebuild it with:
```sh
tessera snapshot --db .tessera/tessera.db
```
Running `tessera index .` also rebuilds the snapshot unless `--no-snapshot` is
used.
## Schema Problems
If `doctor` reports a schema mismatch, rebuild from source:
```sh
tessera index . --full
```
## Ignored Paths
Tessera skips common generated and cache directories including `.git`,
`node_modules`, `target`, `dist`, `build`, `.next`, virtualenvs, `__pycache__`,
and `.tessera`.
If a file is missing from results, confirm the extension is supported and that
the path is not under an ignored directory.
## MCP Startup
Confirm the DB exists before starting MCP:
```sh
tessera doctor --db .tessera/tessera.db
tessera mcp --db .tessera/tessera.db
```
For agent config examples, see `docs/integrations.md`.
## Windows and Docker Paths
Use an explicit `--db` path when the working directory differs between the host,
container, or editor:
```sh
tessera index /work --db /work/.tessera/tessera.db
tessera mcp --db /work/.tessera/tessera.db
```