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docs/BOOTSTRAP_TROUBLESHOOTING.md

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+# Bootstrap Installation Troubleshooting Guide
+
+## Problem on "Other Computer"
+
+When running `bootstrap.py` on another machine, the installation completes successfully with messages about creating `mm.ps1` and `mm.bat`, but the `mm` command is not recognized when executed.
+
+**Root Cause:** Windows terminal sessions cache the PATH environment variable. When registry changes are made, existing terminal sessions don't automatically reload the new PATH. The shim files are created correctly, but they're not discoverable until PATH is reloaded.
+
+## Solution
+
+### Option 1: Restart Terminal (Easiest)
+Simply close and reopen your terminal window or PowerShell session. Windows will automatically load the updated PATH from the registry.
+
+```powershell
+# Close the current terminal
+# Then open a new PowerShell or CMD window
+mm --help
+```
+
+### Option 2: Reload PATH in Current Session (Manual)
+If you don't want to restart, you can reload the PATH in your current PowerShell session:
+
+```powershell
+$env:PATH = [Environment]::GetEnvironmentVariable('PATH', 'User') + ';' + [Environment]::GetEnvironmentVariable('PATH', 'Machine')
+mm --help
+```
+
+Note: The bootstrap installation automatically attempts this, but it may not work if PowerShell was launched with a restricted execution policy.
+
+### Option 3: Manual PATH Reload (PowerShell)
+```powershell
+$env:Path = [Environment]::GetEnvironmentVariable('PATH', 'User') + ';' + [Environment]::GetEnvironmentVariable('PATH', 'Machine')
+mm --help
+```
+
+## Diagnostic Command
+
+To verify the installation and troubleshoot issues:
+
+```powershell
+python scripts/bootstrap.py --check-install
+```
+
+This will check:
+- ✓ Shim files exist (`mm.ps1` and `mm.bat`)
+- ✓ Shim files have valid content
+- ✓ PATH environment variable is configured
+- ✓ Registry PATH was updated
+- ✓ Test if `mm` command is accessible
+
+### Example Output
+
+```
+Checking 'mm' command installation...
+
+Checking for shim files:
+  mm.ps1: ✓ (C:\Users\Admin\bin\mm.ps1)
+  mm.bat: ✓ (C:\Users\Admin\bin\mm.bat)
+
+Checking PATH environment variable:
+  C:\Users\Admin\bin in current session PATH: ✓
+  C:\Users\Admin\bin in registry PATH: ✓
+
+Testing 'mm' command...
+  ✗ 'mm' command not found in PATH
+     Shims exist but command is not accessible via PATH
+
+Attempting to call shim directly...
+  ✓ Direct shim call works!
+     The shim files are valid and functional.
+
+⚠️ 'mm' is not in PATH, but the shims are working correctly.
+Possible causes and fixes:
+  1. Terminal needs restart: Close and reopen your terminal/PowerShell
+  2. PATH reload: Run: . scripts\reload-path.ps1
+  3. Manual PATH: Add C:\Users\Admin\bin to your system PATH manually
+```
+
+If the diagnostic shows:
+- **✓ Direct shim call works!** → Your installation is fine, just reload PATH
+- **✗ Shim files not found** → Re-run `bootstrap.py` without arguments
+- **✗ PATH not in registry** → Run bootstrap with `--debug` to see what happened
+
+## Debug Mode
+
+For detailed diagnostic output during installation:
+
+```powershell
+python scripts\bootstrap.py --debug
+```
+
+This shows:
+- Repo path detection
+- Venv creation status
+- Shim file creation details
+- PATH registration results
+
+## Installation Steps (for "Other Computer")
+
+1. **Run bootstrap:**
+   ```powershell
+   python scripts\bootstrap.py
+   ```
+
+2. **Check installation:**
+   ```powershell
+   python scripts\bootstrap.py --check-install
+   ```
+
+3. **If 'mm' is not found:**
+   - Close and reopen your terminal (simplest), OR
+   - Reload PATH: `$env:PATH = [Environment]::GetEnvironmentVariable('PATH', 'User') + ';' + [Environment]::GetEnvironmentVariable('PATH', 'Machine')`
+
+4. **Verify it works:**
+   ```powershell
+   mm --help
+   ```
+
+## Shim File Locations
+
+The installation creates Windows shim files in:
+- **User bin directory:** `C:\Users\<YourUsername>\bin\`
+- **Files created:**
+  - `mm.ps1` - PowerShell shim
+  - `mm.bat` - Command Prompt shim
+
+These files contain the absolute path to your project and venv, so they work from any location.
+
+## Why This Happens
+
+On Windows, the PATH environment variable is read from the registry when a terminal session starts. If you change the registry PATH while a terminal is open, that terminal doesn't automatically pick up the change. That's why:
+
+1. **New terminals work:** They read the updated registry PATH
+2. **Current terminal doesn't work:** It still has the old PATH
+3. **Shim files still work:** They can be called directly by absolute path
+
+This is a Windows OS behavior, not a bug in the installation script.
+
+## Manual PATH Addition (If Registry Update Fails)
+
+If for some reason the registry update fails (requires admin rights), you can add the path manually:
+
+1. Open System Properties:
+   - Press `Win + X`, select "System"
+   - Click "Advanced system settings"
+
+2. Click "Environment Variables"
+
+3. Under "User variables," click "New"
+   - Variable name: `PATH`
+   - Variable value: `C:\Users\Admin\bin`
+
+4. Click OK and close all terminals
+
+5. Open a new terminal and test `mm --help`
+
+## Next Steps
+
+Once `mm` works:
+
+```powershell
+mm --help                    # Show all available commands
+mm pipeline --help          # Get help for specific command
+mm config --show           # Show current configuration
+```
+
+For more information, see the main [README](../readme.md).