# An agent cannot start

> Fix an agent that does not start. Check that its instructions are activated, that you have run permission, and that its model is available.

Source: https://docs.tulipfarm.ai/troubleshooting/agent-cannot-start/

An [agent](https://docs.tulipfarm.ai/concepts/agents-skills-and-workflows/) starts only when three things are true:

- Its instructions are activated.
- You have run permission, called invoke access.
- Its selected model is available.

An agent manager is a person with the agent's Manage permission. An agent manager turns on execution, activates instructions, and shares access.

## The agent shows "Not activated"

**Why this happens**

Saving an agent stores its instructions. It does not turn the agent on. Later edits also stay inactive until someone activates them.

**What to do**

Ask an agent manager to do these steps:

1. Open the agent and select the **Execution** tab.
2. Turn on execution, then save.
3. Activate the saved instructions.

For the full flow, see [Saved, activated, and running](https://docs.tulipfarm.ai/concepts/saved-activated-running/).

## The agent shows "Run permission required"

**Why this happens**

You do not have invoke access to the agent. Invoke access lets you start tasks.

**What to do**

1. Ask an agent manager to open the agent's **Access** tab.
2. Ask them to share invoke access with you or with one of your teams.
3. Start a task from the agent again.

## The agent's model is unavailable

**Why this happens**

An admin controls which models the workspace and each team can use. The model that the agent uses is not available to you.

**What to do**

1. Ask a workspace admin to check model access.
2. See [Credits or models unavailable](https://docs.tulipfarm.ai/troubleshooting/credits-or-models-unavailable/).

## You do not know the next step

**Why this happens**

Each step in the setup belongs to a specific person.

**What to do**

1. Open the agent.
2. Read its setup checklist. The checklist shows the next step and who must take it.

## A workflow run does not start

You see "Ask a manager for run permission to start runs or respond to steps."

**Why this happens**

You do not have permission to run this workflow.

**What to do**

1. Ask a manager of the workflow for run permission.
2. After you get it, select **Run workflow** again.

## Bud does not reply

You see "Bud needs workspace credits to start a reply."

**Why this happens**

The workspace does not have enough credits for Bud to start a reply.

**What to do**

See [Credits or models unavailable](https://docs.tulipfarm.ai/troubleshooting/credits-or-models-unavailable/).

## Approving an action did not help

Approval of an action does not grant more permissions. If an agent lacks access, an approval does not fix it. Ask an agent manager to check the agent's access and execution settings.

## Related

- [Approvals and agent permissions](https://docs.tulipfarm.ai/security/approvals-and-agent-permissions/)
- [Build an agent](https://docs.tulipfarm.ai/guides/build-an-agent/)
- [Contact support](https://docs.tulipfarm.ai/troubleshooting/contact-support/)