---
created: '2026-05-17'
path: Sources/Homelab
project: postgres-consolidation-reflection-layer
tags:
- mcp
- automation
- git
type: session-notes
---

## Outcome

Retesting after Travis corrected the gitea PAT in `.env`. The previous failures were not a code issue — the helper wiring was correct, gitea was returning "Authentication failed" because the wrong token was in env. If this returns `pushed: true`, the queued commits (`b578f458`, `ca2c8e93`) plus this new one should all land on origin.

## Topics Covered

The full debugging chain ended at the cheapest possible bug: wrong env value. All the architectural fixes (HTTPS URL rewrite, credential helper, semicolon trap fix) were correct. The thing that was actually broken was the token itself.

## Key Learnings

When a credential helper says "Authentication failed" and the wiring is verifiable, check the credential value FIRST before assuming code issues. `curl -u "user:$TOKEN" https://gitea/api/v1/user` is a 5-second test.

## Follow-ons

- [ ] If pushed: true, close out the vault push fix completely
- [ ] Mark the architectural debugging chain done