node-connect

A 'pairing required' or 'unauthorized' error during node setup indicates an authentication failure in your gateway connection. You must inspect the gateway.auth and bootstrap token configuration states to identify the invalid credentials and apply the recommended steps to re-establish pairing.

The best way to troubleshoot an invalid bootstrap token error is to run a context-aware diagnostic check on your gateway.bind and gateway.auth states. This validates your current credentials and guides you through re-running the setup QR to restore a working connection.

Yes, Tailscale works with gateway.remote.url by providing a VPN tailnet route for node connections. Route discovery verifies whether your node reaches the gateway locally or through the Tailscale tailnet, ensuring the gateway advertises the correct path for reliable app pairing.

To diagnose the actual route from your node to the gateway when QR setup fails, collect environment information including gateway.bind and pairing status. This route discovery process confirms whether your connection path is local or remote and guides the remediation steps.

A node connection fails with a gateway.bind error across networks because the gateway is not advertising the correct route to your node. You must inspect the gateway.bind configuration state to identify the binding mismatch and apply targeted fixes to re-establish a working connection.