# POLICY_INVALID

URL: https://tailrace.dev/docs/reference/errors/POLICY_INVALID

> The policy document failed schema or semantic validation.



## What it means [#what-it-means]

`PolicyValidationError` (`code: POLICY_INVALID`). `definePolicy` / compile rejected the document. `path` points at the offending key.

## Message shape [#message-shape]

```text
<reason> → https://tailrace.dev/docs/reference/errors/POLICY_INVALID
```

## Common causes [#common-causes]

1. Unknown action string.
2. `detokenize` under a non-egress boundary key.
3. Invalid `format` on an entity rule.

## Fixes [#fixes]

1. Validate against [Policy schema](/docs/reference/policy-schema) / `https://tailrace.dev/schema/policy.v1.json`.
2. Put `detokenize` only under `egress:*` boundary keys.
3. Use `allow` | `mask` | `tokenize` | `block` (and `review` only when you accept `NOT_IMPLEMENTED`).

## Safe to catch? [#safe-to-catch]

Usually at startup / config load. Fail closed - do not run with an invalid policy.