Merge branch 'master' into tor

55 files changed, 121 insertions, 110 deletions

diff --git a/Command/AddUnused.hs b/Command/AddUnused.hs
index 7a9a1ba30..c83c74e72 100644
--- a/Command/AddUnused.hs
+++ b/Command/AddUnused.hs
@@ -38,4 +38,4 @@ perform key = next $ do
  - it seems better to error out, rather than moving bad/tmp content into
  - the annex. -}
 performOther :: String -> Key -> CommandPerform
-performOther other _ = error $ "cannot addunused " ++ other ++ "content"
+performOther other _ = giveup $ "cannot addunused " ++ other ++ "content"
diff --git a/Command/AddUrl.hs b/Command/AddUrl.hs
index 80f3582ed..e32ceb568 100644
--- a/Command/AddUrl.hs
+++ b/Command/AddUrl.hs
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ checkUrl r o u = do
 				let f' = adjustFile o (deffile </> fromSafeFilePath f)
 				void $ commandAction $
 					startRemote r (relaxedOption o) f' u' sz
-		| otherwise = error $ unwords
+		| otherwise = giveup $ unwords
 			[ "That url contains multiple files according to the"
 			, Remote.name r
 			, " remote; cannot add it to a single file."
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ startWeb :: AddUrlOptions -> String -> CommandStart
 startWeb o s = go $ fromMaybe bad $ parseURI urlstring
   where
 	(urlstring, downloader) = getDownloader s
-	bad = fromMaybe (error $ "bad url " ++ urlstring) $
+	bad = fromMaybe (giveup $ "bad url " ++ urlstring) $
 		Url.parseURIRelaxed $ urlstring
 	go url = case downloader of
 		QuviDownloader -> usequvi
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ startWeb o s = go $ fromMaybe bad $ parseURI urlstring
 						)
 		showStart "addurl" file
 		next $ performWeb (relaxedOption o) urlstring file urlinfo
-	badquvi = error $ "quvi does not know how to download url " ++ urlstring
+	badquvi = giveup $ "quvi does not know how to download url " ++ urlstring
 	usequvi = do
 		page <- fromMaybe badquvi
 			<$> withQuviOptions Quvi.forceQuery [Quvi.quiet, Quvi.httponly] urlstring
@@ -372,7 +372,7 @@ url2file url pathdepth pathmax = case pathdepth of
 		| depth >= length urlbits -> frombits id
 		| depth > 0 -> frombits $ drop depth
 		| depth < 0 -> frombits $ reverse . take (negate depth) . reverse
-		| otherwise -> error "bad --pathdepth"
+		| otherwise -> giveup "bad --pathdepth"
   where
 	fullurl = concat
 		[ maybe "" uriRegName (uriAuthority url)
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ url2file url pathdepth pathmax = case pathdepth of
 
 urlString2file :: URLString -> Maybe Int -> Int -> FilePath
 urlString2file s pathdepth pathmax = case Url.parseURIRelaxed s of
-	Nothing -> error $ "bad uri " ++ s
+	Nothing -> giveup $ "bad uri " ++ s
 	Just u -> url2file u pathdepth pathmax
 
 adjustFile :: AddUrlOptions -> FilePath -> FilePath
diff --git a/Command/Assistant.hs b/Command/Assistant.hs
index 690f36f19..6a9ae6436 100644
--- a/Command/Assistant.hs
+++ b/Command/Assistant.hs
@@ -66,14 +66,14 @@ startNoRepo :: AssistantOptions -> IO ()
 startNoRepo o
 	| autoStartOption o = autoStart o
 	| autoStopOption o = autoStop
-	| otherwise = error "Not in a git repository."
+	| otherwise = giveup "Not in a git repository."
 
 autoStart :: AssistantOptions -> IO ()
 autoStart o = do
 	dirs <- liftIO readAutoStartFile
 	when (null dirs) $ do
 		f <- autoStartFile
-		error $ "Nothing listed in " ++ f
+		giveup $ "Nothing listed in " ++ f
 	program <- programPath
 	haveionice <- pure Build.SysConfig.ionice <&&> inPath "ionice"
 	forM_ dirs $ \d -> do
diff --git a/Command/CheckPresentKey.hs b/Command/CheckPresentKey.hs
index 29df810a6..4f9b4b120 100644
--- a/Command/CheckPresentKey.hs
+++ b/Command/CheckPresentKey.hs
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ seek o = case batchOption o of
 			_ -> wrongnumparams
 		batchInput Right $ checker >=> batchResult
   where
-	wrongnumparams = error "Wrong number of parameters"
+	wrongnumparams = giveup "Wrong number of parameters"
 					
 data Result = Present | NotPresent | CheckFailure String
 
@@ -71,8 +71,8 @@ batchResult Present = liftIO $ putStrLn "1"
 batchResult _ = liftIO $ putStrLn "0"
 
 toKey :: String -> Key
-toKey = fromMaybe (error "Bad key") . file2key
+toKey = fromMaybe (giveup "Bad key") . file2key
 
 toRemote :: String -> Annex Remote
-toRemote rn = maybe (error "Unknown remote") return
+toRemote rn = maybe (giveup "Unknown remote") return
 	=<< Remote.byNameWithUUID (Just rn)
diff --git a/Command/ContentLocation.hs b/Command/ContentLocation.hs
index 5b2acb6a5..202d76a21 100644
--- a/Command/ContentLocation.hs
+++ b/Command/ContentLocation.hs
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ cmd = noCommit $ noMessages $
 
 run :: () -> String -> Annex Bool
 run _ p = do
-	let k = fromMaybe (error "bad key") $ file2key p
+	let k = fromMaybe (giveup "bad key") $ file2key p
 	maybe (return False) (\f -> liftIO (putStrLn f) >> return True)
 		=<< inAnnex' (pure True) Nothing check k
   where
diff --git a/Command/Dead.hs b/Command/Dead.hs
index ecbe41293..44cf7b7f6 100644
--- a/Command/Dead.hs
+++ b/Command/Dead.hs
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ startKey key = do
 	ls <- keyLocations key
 	case ls of
 		[] -> next $ performKey key
-		_ -> error "This key is still known to be present in some locations; not marking as dead."
+		_ -> giveup "This key is still known to be present in some locations; not marking as dead."
 		
 performKey :: Key -> CommandPerform
 performKey key = do
diff --git a/Command/Describe.hs b/Command/Describe.hs
index 8872244f0..dc7a5d8f9 100644
--- a/Command/Describe.hs
+++ b/Command/Describe.hs
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ start (name:description) = do
 	showStart "describe" name
 	u <- Remote.nameToUUID name
 	next $ perform u $ unwords description
-start _ = error "Specify a repository and a description."	
+start _ = giveup "Specify a repository and a description."	
 
 perform :: UUID -> String -> CommandPerform
 perform u description = do
diff --git a/Command/DiffDriver.hs b/Command/DiffDriver.hs
index 2c9b4a39d..1164dd103 100644
--- a/Command/DiffDriver.hs
+++ b/Command/DiffDriver.hs
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ parseReq opts = case separate (== "--") opts of
 	mk (unmergedpath:[]) = UnmergedReq { rPath = unmergedpath }
 	mk _ = badopts
 
-	badopts = error $ "Unexpected input: " ++ unwords opts
+	badopts = giveup $ "Unexpected input: " ++ unwords opts
 
 {- Check if either file is a symlink to a git-annex object,
  - which git-diff will leave as a normal file containing the link text.
diff --git a/Command/Direct.hs b/Command/Direct.hs
index 32d63f059..06adf0e05 100644
--- a/Command/Direct.hs
+++ b/Command/Direct.hs
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ seek = withNothing start
 start :: CommandStart
 start = ifM versionSupportsDirectMode
 	( ifM isDirect ( stop , next perform )
-	, error "Direct mode is not suppported by this repository version. Use git-annex unlock instead."
+	, giveup "Direct mode is not suppported by this repository version. Use git-annex unlock instead."
 	)
 
 perform :: CommandPerform
diff --git a/Command/DropKey.hs b/Command/DropKey.hs
index 42516f838..65446ba06 100644
--- a/Command/DropKey.hs
+++ b/Command/DropKey.hs
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ optParser desc = DropKeyOptions
 seek :: DropKeyOptions -> CommandSeek
 seek o = do
 	unlessM (Annex.getState Annex.force) $
-		error "dropkey can cause data loss; use --force if you're sure you want to do this"
+		giveup "dropkey can cause data loss; use --force if you're sure you want to do this"
 	withKeys start (toDrop o)
 	case batchOption o of
 		Batch -> batchInput parsekey $ batchCommandAction . start
diff --git a/Command/EnableRemote.hs b/Command/EnableRemote.hs
index dc3e7bc56..e1af8bb7a 100644
--- a/Command/EnableRemote.hs
+++ b/Command/EnableRemote.hs
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ startSpecialRemote name config Nothing = do
 		_ -> unknownNameError "Unknown remote name."
 startSpecialRemote name config (Just (u, c)) = do
 	let fullconfig = config `M.union` c	
-	t <- either error return (Annex.SpecialRemote.findType fullconfig)
+	t <- either giveup return (Annex.SpecialRemote.findType fullconfig)
 	showStart "enableremote" name
 	gc <- maybe def Remote.gitconfig <$> Remote.byUUID u
 	next $ performSpecialRemote t u fullconfig gc
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ unknownNameError prefix = do
 	disabledremotes <- filterM isdisabled =<< Annex.fromRepo Git.remotes
 	let remotesmsg = unlines $ map ("\t" ++) $
 		mapMaybe Git.remoteName disabledremotes
-	error $ concat $ filter (not . null) [prefix ++ "\n", remotesmsg, specialmsg]
+	giveup $ concat $ filter (not . null) [prefix ++ "\n", remotesmsg, specialmsg]
   where
 	isdisabled r = anyM id
 		[ (==) NoUUID <$> getRepoUUID r
diff --git a/Command/ExamineKey.hs b/Command/ExamineKey.hs
index e14ac10b8..24d6942fe 100644
--- a/Command/ExamineKey.hs
+++ b/Command/ExamineKey.hs
@@ -21,6 +21,6 @@ cmd = noCommit $ noMessages $ dontCheck repoExists $
 
 run :: Maybe Utility.Format.Format -> String -> Annex Bool
 run format p = do
-	let k = fromMaybe (error "bad key") $ file2key p
+	let k = fromMaybe (giveup "bad key") $ file2key p
 	showFormatted format (key2file k) (keyVars k)
 	return True
diff --git a/Command/Expire.hs b/Command/Expire.hs
index fafee4506..8dd0e962e 100644
--- a/Command/Expire.hs
+++ b/Command/Expire.hs
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ start (Expire expire) noact actlog descs u =
 data Expire = Expire (M.Map (Maybe UUID) (Maybe POSIXTime))
 
 parseExpire :: [String] -> Annex Expire
-parseExpire [] = error "Specify an expire time."
+parseExpire [] = giveup "Specify an expire time."
 parseExpire ps = do
 	now <- liftIO getPOSIXTime
 	Expire . M.fromList <$> mapM (parse now) ps
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ parseExpire ps = do
 			return (Just r, parsetime now t)
 	parsetime _ "never" = Nothing
 	parsetime now s = case parseDuration s of
-		Nothing -> error $ "bad expire time: " ++ s
+		Nothing -> giveup $ "bad expire time: " ++ s
 		Just d -> Just (now - durationToPOSIXTime d)
 
 parseActivity :: Monad m => String -> m Activity
diff --git a/Command/FromKey.hs b/Command/FromKey.hs
index 36cc1d31f..670e9e6a6 100644
--- a/Command/FromKey.hs
+++ b/Command/FromKey.hs
@@ -33,14 +33,14 @@ start force (keyname:file:[]) = do
 	let key = mkKey keyname
 	unless force $ do
 		inbackend <- inAnnex key
-		unless inbackend $ error $
+		unless inbackend $ giveup $
 			"key ("++ keyname ++") is not present in backend (use --force to override this sanity check)"
 	showStart "fromkey" file
 	next $ perform key file
 start _ [] = do
 	showStart "fromkey" "stdin"
 	next massAdd
-start _ _ = error "specify a key and a dest file"
+start _ _ = giveup "specify a key and a dest file"
 
 massAdd :: CommandPerform
 massAdd = go True =<< map (separate (== ' ')) . lines <$> liftIO getContents
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ massAdd = go True =<< map (separate (== ' ')) . lines <$> liftIO getContents
 		ok <- perform' key f
 		let !status' = status && ok
 		go status' rest
-	go _ _ = error "Expected pairs of key and file on stdin, but got something else."
+	go _ _ = giveup "Expected pairs of key and file on stdin, but got something else."
 
 -- From user input to a Key.
 -- User can input either a serialized key, or an url.
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ mkKey s = case parseURI s of
 		Backend.URL.fromUrl s Nothing
 	_ -> case file2key s of
 		Just k -> k
-		Nothing -> error $ "bad key/url " ++ s
+		Nothing -> giveup $ "bad key/url " ++ s
 
 perform :: Key -> FilePath -> CommandPerform
 perform key file = do
diff --git a/Command/Fsck.hs b/Command/Fsck.hs
index b37a26e12..96ffd35da 100644
--- a/Command/Fsck.hs
+++ b/Command/Fsck.hs
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ seek o = allowConcurrentOutput $ do
 	checkDeadRepo u
 	i <- prepIncremental u (incrementalOpt o)
 	withKeyOptions (keyOptions o) False
-		(\k ai -> startKey i k ai =<< getNumCopies)
+		(\k ai -> startKey from i k ai =<< getNumCopies)
 		(withFilesInGit $ whenAnnexed $ start from i)
 		(fsckFiles o)
 	cleanupIncremental i
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ start from inc file key = do
 			numcopies <- getFileNumCopies file
 			case from of
 				Nothing -> go $ perform key file backend numcopies
-				Just r -> go $ performRemote key file backend numcopies r
+				Just r -> go $ performRemote key (Just file) backend numcopies r
   where
 	go = runFsck inc (mkActionItem (Just file)) key
 
@@ -129,8 +129,8 @@ perform key file backend numcopies = do
 
 {- To fsck a remote, the content is retrieved to a tmp file,
  - and checked locally. -}
-performRemote :: Key -> FilePath -> Backend -> NumCopies -> Remote -> Annex Bool
-performRemote key file backend numcopies remote =
+performRemote :: Key -> AssociatedFile -> Backend -> NumCopies -> Remote -> Annex Bool
+performRemote key afile backend numcopies remote =
 	dispatch =<< Remote.hasKey remote key
   where
 	dispatch (Left err) = do
@@ -147,10 +147,10 @@ performRemote key file backend numcopies remote =
 				return False
 	dispatch (Right False) = go False Nothing
 	go present localcopy = check
-		[ verifyLocationLogRemote key file remote present
+		[ verifyLocationLogRemote key (maybe (key2file key) id afile) remote present
 		, checkKeySizeRemote key remote localcopy
 		, checkBackendRemote backend key remote localcopy
-		, checkKeyNumCopies key (Just file) numcopies
+		, checkKeyNumCopies key afile numcopies
 		]
 	withtmp a = do
 		pid <- liftIO getPID
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ performRemote key file backend numcopies remote =
 		cleanup
 		cleanup `after` a tmp
 	getfile tmp = ifM (checkDiskSpace (Just (takeDirectory tmp)) key 0 True)
-		( ifM (Remote.retrieveKeyFileCheap remote key (Just file) tmp)
+		( ifM (Remote.retrieveKeyFileCheap remote key afile tmp)
 			( return (Just True)
 			, ifM (Annex.getState Annex.fast)
 				( return Nothing
@@ -173,12 +173,14 @@ performRemote key file backend numcopies remote =
 		)
 	dummymeter _ = noop
 
-startKey :: Incremental -> Key -> ActionItem -> NumCopies -> CommandStart
-startKey inc key ai numcopies =
+startKey :: Maybe Remote -> Incremental -> Key -> ActionItem -> NumCopies -> CommandStart
+startKey from inc key ai numcopies =
 	case Backend.maybeLookupBackendName (keyBackendName key) of
 		Nothing -> stop
 		Just backend -> runFsck inc ai key $
-			performKey key backend numcopies
+			case from of
+				Nothing -> performKey key backend numcopies
+				Just r -> performRemote key Nothing backend numcopies r
 
 performKey :: Key -> Backend -> NumCopies -> Annex Bool
 performKey key backend numcopies = do
@@ -584,7 +586,7 @@ prepIncremental u (Just StartIncrementalO) = do
 	recordStartTime u
 	ifM (FsckDb.newPass u)
 		( StartIncremental <$> openFsckDb u
-		, error "Cannot start a new --incremental fsck pass; another fsck process is already running."
+		, giveup "Cannot start a new --incremental fsck pass; another fsck process is already running."
 		)
 prepIncremental u (Just MoreIncrementalO) =
 	ContIncremental <$> openFsckDb u
diff --git a/Command/FuzzTest.hs b/Command/FuzzTest.hs
index 4aed02d46..0c5aac9b3 100644
--- a/Command/FuzzTest.hs
+++ b/Command/FuzzTest.hs
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ start = do
 
 guardTest :: Annex ()
 guardTest = unlessM (fromMaybe False . Git.Config.isTrue <$> getConfig key "") $
-	error $ unlines
+	giveup $ unlines
 		[ "Running fuzz tests *writes* to and *deletes* files in"
 		, "this repository, and pushes those changes to other"
 		, "repositories! This is a developer tool, not something"
diff --git a/Command/GCryptSetup.hs b/Command/GCryptSetup.hs
index f2943ea13..cbc2de0ef 100644
--- a/Command/GCryptSetup.hs
+++ b/Command/GCryptSetup.hs
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ start :: String -> CommandStart
 start gcryptid = next $ next $ do
 	u <- getUUID
 	when (u /= NoUUID) $
-		error "gcryptsetup refusing to run; this repository already has a git-annex uuid!"
+		giveup "gcryptsetup refusing to run; this repository already has a git-annex uuid!"
 	
 	g <- gitRepo
 	gu <- Remote.GCrypt.getGCryptUUID True g
@@ -35,5 +35,5 @@ start gcryptid = next $ next $ do
 			then do
 				void $ Remote.GCrypt.setupRepo gcryptid g
 				return True
-			else error "cannot use gcrypt in a non-bare repository"
-		else error "gcryptsetup uuid mismatch"
+			else giveup "cannot use gcrypt in a non-bare repository"
+		else giveup "gcryptsetup uuid mismatch"
diff --git a/Command/Group.hs b/Command/Group.hs
index 8e901dfb3..6d9b4ab13 100644
--- a/Command/Group.hs
+++ b/Command/Group.hs
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ start (name:[]) = do
 	u <- Remote.nameToUUID name
 	showRaw . unwords . S.toList =<< lookupGroups u
 	stop
-start _ = error "Specify a repository and a group."
+start _ = giveup "Specify a repository and a group."
 
 setGroup :: UUID -> Group -> CommandPerform
 setGroup uuid g = do
diff --git a/Command/GroupWanted.hs b/Command/GroupWanted.hs
index 6a9e300bf..c0be2462d 100644
--- a/Command/GroupWanted.hs
+++ b/Command/GroupWanted.hs
@@ -25,4 +25,4 @@ start (g:[]) = next $ performGet groupPreferredContentMapRaw g
 start (g:expr:[]) = do
 	showStart "groupwanted" g
 	next $ performSet groupPreferredContentSet expr g
-start _ = error "Specify a group."
+start _ = giveup "Specify a group."
diff --git a/Command/Import.hs b/Command/Import.hs
index d5a2feed5..a16349ad2 100644
--- a/Command/Import.hs
+++ b/Command/Import.hs
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ seek o = allowConcurrentOutput $ do
 	repopath <- liftIO . absPath =<< fromRepo Git.repoPath
 	inrepops <- liftIO $ filter (dirContains repopath) <$> mapM absPath (importFiles o)
 	unless (null inrepops) $ do
-		error $ "cannot import files from inside the working tree (use git annex add instead): " ++ unwords inrepops
+		giveup $ "cannot import files from inside the working tree (use git annex add instead): " ++ unwords inrepops
 	largematcher <- largeFilesMatcher
 	withPathContents (start largematcher (duplicateMode o)) (importFiles o)
 
diff --git a/Command/ImportFeed.hs b/Command/ImportFeed.hs
index 8f3a60726..1736f2567 100644
--- a/Command/ImportFeed.hs
+++ b/Command/ImportFeed.hs
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ findDownloads u = go =<< downloadFeed u
 {- Feeds change, so a feed download cannot be resumed. -}
 downloadFeed :: URLString -> Annex (Maybe Feed)
 downloadFeed url
-	| Url.parseURIRelaxed url == Nothing = error "invalid feed url"
+	| Url.parseURIRelaxed url == Nothing = giveup "invalid feed url"
 	| otherwise = do
 		showOutput
 		uo <- Url.getUrlOptions
@@ -336,7 +336,7 @@ noneValue = "none"
  - Throws an error if the feed is broken, otherwise shows a warning. -}
 feedProblem :: URLString -> String -> Annex ()
 feedProblem url message = ifM (checkFeedBroken url)
-	( error $ message ++ " (having repeated problems with feed: " ++ url ++ ")"
+	( giveup $ message ++ " (having repeated problems with feed: " ++ url ++ ")"
 	, warning $ "warning: " ++ message
 	)
 
diff --git a/Command/Indirect.hs b/Command/Indirect.hs
index 74841a5f6..f12f9e59e 100644
--- a/Command/Indirect.hs
+++ b/Command/Indirect.hs
@@ -33,9 +33,9 @@ start :: CommandStart
 start = ifM isDirect
 	( do
 		unlessM (coreSymlinks <$> Annex.getGitConfig) $
-			error "Git is configured to not use symlinks, so you must use direct mode."
+			giveup "Git is configured to not use symlinks, so you must use direct mode."
 		whenM probeCrippledFileSystem $
-			error "This repository seems to be on a crippled filesystem, you must use direct mode."
+			giveup "This repository seems to be on a crippled filesystem, you must use direct mode."
 		next perform
 	, stop
 	)
diff --git a/Command/InitRemote.hs b/Command/InitRemote.hs
index 05717bc60..e5d7a9039 100644
--- a/Command/InitRemote.hs
+++ b/Command/InitRemote.hs
@@ -26,16 +26,16 @@ seek :: CmdParams -> CommandSeek
 seek = withWords start
 
 start :: [String] -> CommandStart
-start [] = error "Specify a name for the remote."
+start [] = giveup "Specify a name for the remote."
 start (name:ws) = ifM (isJust <$> findExisting name)
-	( error $ "There is already a special remote named \"" ++ name ++
+	( giveup $ "There is already a special remote named \"" ++ name ++
 		"\". (Use enableremote to enable an existing special remote.)"
 	, do
 		ifM (isJust <$> Remote.byNameOnly name)
-			( error $ "There is already a remote named \"" ++ name ++ "\""
+			( giveup $ "There is already a remote named \"" ++ name ++ "\""
 			, do
 				let c = newConfig name
-				t <- either error return (findType config)
+				t <- either giveup return (findType config)
 
 				showStart "initremote" name
 				next $ perform t name $ M.union config c
diff --git a/Command/Lock.hs b/Command/Lock.hs
index 68360705c..a3fc25117 100644
--- a/Command/Lock.hs
+++ b/Command/Lock.hs
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ performNew file key = do
 		unlessM (sameInodeCache obj (maybeToList mfc)) $ do
 			modifyContent obj $ replaceFile obj $ \tmp -> do
 				unlessM (checkedCopyFile key obj tmp Nothing) $
-					error "unable to lock file"
+					giveup "unable to lock file"
 			Database.Keys.storeInodeCaches key [obj]
 
 	-- Try to repopulate obj from an unmodified associated file.
@@ -115,4 +115,4 @@ performOld file = do
 	next $ return True
 
 errorModified :: a
-errorModified =  error "Locking this file would discard any changes you have made to it. Use 'git annex add' to stage your changes. (Or, use --force to override)"
+errorModified =  giveup "Locking this file would discard any changes you have made to it. Use 'git annex add' to stage your changes. (Or, use --force to override)"
diff --git a/Command/LockContent.hs b/Command/LockContent.hs
index de697c090..35342c529 100644
--- a/Command/LockContent.hs
+++ b/Command/LockContent.hs
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ start [ks] = do
 		then exitSuccess
 		else exitFailure
   where
-	k = fromMaybe (error "bad key") (file2key ks)
+	k = fromMaybe (giveup "bad key") (file2key ks)
 	locksuccess = ifM (inAnnex k)
 		( liftIO $ do
 			putStrLn contentLockedMarker
@@ -41,4 +41,4 @@ start [ks] = do
 			return True
 		, return False
 		)
-start _ = error "Specify exactly 1 key."
+start _ = giveup "Specify exactly 1 key."
diff --git a/Command/Log.hs b/Command/Log.hs
index 3806d8fdf..357bcf1f3 100644
--- a/Command/Log.hs
+++ b/Command/Log.hs
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ seek o = do
 	case (logFiles o, allOption o) of
 		(fs, False) -> withFilesInGit (whenAnnexed $ start o outputter) fs
 		([], True) -> commandAction (startAll o outputter)
-		(_, True) -> error "Cannot specify both files and --all"
+		(_, True) -> giveup "Cannot specify both files and --all"
 
 start :: LogOptions -> (FilePath -> Outputter) -> FilePath -> Key -> CommandStart
 start o outputter file key = do
diff --git a/Command/MetaData.hs b/Command/MetaData.hs
index 6e64207c8..04d859e4c 100644
--- a/Command/MetaData.hs
+++ b/Command/MetaData.hs
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ seek o = do
 		Batch -> withMessageState $ \s -> case outputType s of
 			JSONOutput _ -> batchInput parseJSONInput $
 				commandAction . startBatch now
-			_ -> error "--batch is currently only supported in --json mode"
+			_ -> giveup "--batch is currently only supported in --json mode"
 
 start :: POSIXTime -> MetaDataOptions -> FilePath -> Key -> CommandStart
 start now o file k = startKeys now o k (mkActionItem afile)
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ startBatch now (i, (MetaData m)) = case i of
 		mk <- lookupFile f
 		case mk of
 			Just k -> go k (mkActionItem (Just f))
-			Nothing -> error $ "not an annexed file: " ++ f
+			Nothing -> giveup $ "not an annexed file: " ++ f
 	Right k -> go k (mkActionItem k)
   where
 	go k ai = do
diff --git a/Command/Move.hs b/Command/Move.hs
index 9c43c6f1d..d74eea900 100644
--- a/Command/Move.hs
+++ b/Command/Move.hs
@@ -197,4 +197,4 @@ fromPerform src move key afile = ifM (inAnnex key)
 			]
 		ok <- Remote.removeKey src key
 		next $ Command.Drop.cleanupRemote key src ok
-	faileddropremote = error "Unable to drop from remote."
+	faileddropremote = giveup "Unable to drop from remote."
diff --git a/Command/NumCopies.hs b/Command/NumCopies.hs
index 0a9c4404b..005a0d16a 100644
--- a/Command/NumCopies.hs
+++ b/Command/NumCopies.hs
@@ -23,15 +23,15 @@ seek = withWords start
 start :: [String] -> CommandStart
 start [] = startGet
 start [s] = case readish s of
-	Nothing -> error $ "Bad number: " ++ s
+	Nothing -> giveup $ "Bad number: " ++ s
 	Just n
 		| n > 0 -> startSet n
 		| n == 0 -> ifM (Annex.getState Annex.force)
 			( startSet n
-			, error "Setting numcopies to 0 is very unsafe. You will lose data! If you really want to do that, specify --force."
+			, giveup "Setting numcopies to 0 is very unsafe. You will lose data! If you really want to do that, specify --force."
 			)
-		| otherwise -> error "Number cannot be negative!"
-start _ = error "Specify a single number."
+		| otherwise -> giveup "Number cannot be negative!"
+start _ = giveup "Specify a single number."
 
 startGet :: CommandStart
 startGet = next $ next $ do
diff --git a/Command/PreCommit.hs b/Command/PreCommit.hs
index f55318475..1ff2227d8 100644
--- a/Command/PreCommit.hs
+++ b/Command/PreCommit.hs
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ seek ps = lockPreCommitHook $ ifM isDirect
 			( do
 				(fs, cleanup) <- inRepo $ Git.typeChangedStaged ps
 				whenM (anyM isOldUnlocked fs) $
-					error "Cannot make a partial commit with unlocked annexed files. You should `git annex add` the files you want to commit, and then run git commit."
+					giveup "Cannot make a partial commit with unlocked annexed files. You should `git annex add` the files you want to commit, and then run git commit."
 				void $ liftIO cleanup
 			, do
 				-- fix symlinks to files being committed
diff --git a/Command/Proxy.hs b/Command/Proxy.hs
index f1f7f194f..dba0300b8 100644
--- a/Command/Proxy.hs
+++ b/Command/Proxy.hs
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ seek :: CmdParams -> CommandSeek
 seek = withWords start
 
 start :: [String] -> CommandStart
-start [] = error "Did not specify command to run."
+start [] = giveup "Did not specify command to run."
 start (c:ps) = liftIO . exitWith =<< ifM isDirect
 	( do
 		tmp <- gitAnnexTmpMiscDir <$> gitRepo
diff --git a/Command/ReKey.hs b/Command/ReKey.hs
index 4d2039530..51f9f6fe1 100644
--- a/Command/ReKey.hs
+++ b/Command/ReKey.hs
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ seek = withPairs start
 start :: (FilePath, String) -> CommandStart
 start (file, keyname) = ifAnnexed file go stop
   where
-	newkey = fromMaybe (error "bad key") $ file2key keyname
+	newkey = fromMaybe (giveup "bad key") $ file2key keyname
 	go oldkey
 		| oldkey == newkey = stop
 		| otherwise = do
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ perform file oldkey newkey = do
 		( unlessM (linkKey file oldkey newkey) $
 			error "failed"
 		, unlessM (Annex.getState Annex.force) $
-			error $ file ++ " is not available (use --force to override)"
+			giveup $ file ++ " is not available (use --force to override)"
 		)
 	next $ cleanup file oldkey newkey
 
diff --git a/Command/ReadPresentKey.hs b/Command/ReadPresentKey.hs
index 1eba2cc12..f73e22af4 100644
--- a/Command/ReadPresentKey.hs
+++ b/Command/ReadPresentKey.hs
@@ -27,5 +27,5 @@ start (ks:us:[]) = do
 		then liftIO exitSuccess
 		else liftIO exitFailure
   where
-	k = fromMaybe (error "bad key") (file2key ks)
-start _ = error "Wrong number of parameters"
+	k = fromMaybe (giveup "bad key") (file2key ks)
+start _ = giveup "Wrong number of parameters"
diff --git a/Command/RegisterUrl.hs b/Command/RegisterUrl.hs
index 273d111b0..28dd2d8c5 100644
--- a/Command/RegisterUrl.hs
+++ b/Command/RegisterUrl.hs
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ start (keyname:url:[]) = do
 start [] = do
 	showStart "registerurl" "stdin"
 	next massAdd
-start _ = error "specify a key and an url"
+start _ = giveup "specify a key and an url"
 
 massAdd :: CommandPerform
 massAdd = go True =<< map (separate (== ' ')) . lines <$> liftIO getContents
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ massAdd = go True =<< map (separate (== ' ')) . lines <$> liftIO getContents
 		ok <- perform' key u
 		let !status' = status && ok
 		go status' rest
-	go _ _ = error "Expected pairs of key and url on stdin, but got something else."
+	go _ _ = giveup "Expected pairs of key and url on stdin, but got something else."
 
 perform :: Key -> URLString -> CommandPerform
 perform key url = do
diff --git a/Command/Reinject.hs b/Command/Reinject.hs
index fa2459e22..97aa602e7 100644
--- a/Command/Reinject.hs
+++ b/Command/Reinject.hs
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ startSrcDest (src:dest:[])
 		next $ ifAnnexed dest
 			(\key -> perform src key (verifyKeyContent DefaultVerify UnVerified key src))
 			stop
-startSrcDest _ = error "specify a src file and a dest file"
+startSrcDest _ = giveup "specify a src file and a dest file"
 
 startKnown :: FilePath -> CommandStart
 startKnown src = notAnnexed src $ do
@@ -63,7 +63,8 @@ startKnown src = notAnnexed src $ do
 			)
 
 notAnnexed :: FilePath -> CommandStart -> CommandStart
-notAnnexed src = ifAnnexed src (error $ "cannot used annexed file as src: " ++ src)
+notAnnexed src = ifAnnexed src $
+	giveup $ "cannot used annexed file as src: " ++ src
 
 perform :: FilePath -> Key -> Annex Bool -> CommandPerform
 perform src key verify = ifM move
diff --git a/Command/ResolveMerge.hs b/Command/ResolveMerge.hs
index 8742a1104..0ba6efb36 100644
--- a/Command/ResolveMerge.hs
+++ b/Command/ResolveMerge.hs
@@ -33,8 +33,8 @@ start = do
 		( do
 			void $ commitResolvedMerge Git.Branch.ManualCommit
 			next $ next $ return True
-		, error "Merge conflict could not be automatically resolved."
+		, giveup "Merge conflict could not be automatically resolved."
 		)
   where
-	nobranch = error "No branch is currently checked out."
-	nomergehead = error "No SHA found in .git/merge_head"
+	nobranch = giveup "No branch is currently checked out."
+	nomergehead = giveup "No SHA found in .git/merge_head"
diff --git a/Command/Schedule.hs b/Command/Schedule.hs
index 5721e98e7..5cc8b37bf 100644
--- a/Command/Schedule.hs
+++ b/Command/Schedule.hs
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ start = parse
 	parse (name:expr:[]) = go name $ \uuid -> do
 		showStart "schedile" name
 		performSet expr uuid
-	parse _ = error "Specify a repository."
+	parse _ = giveup "Specify a repository."
 
 	go name a = do
 		u <- Remote.nameToUUID name
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ performGet uuid = do
 
 performSet :: String -> UUID -> CommandPerform
 performSet expr uuid = case parseScheduledActivities expr of
-	Left e -> error $ "Parse error: " ++ e
+	Left e -> giveup $ "Parse error: " ++ e
 	Right l -> do
 		scheduleSet uuid l
 		next $ return True
diff --git a/Command/SetKey.hs b/Command/SetKey.hs
index fd7a4ab88..090edee0b 100644
--- a/Command/SetKey.hs
+++ b/Command/SetKey.hs
@@ -23,10 +23,10 @@ start :: [String] -> CommandStart
 start (keyname:file:[]) = do
 	showStart "setkey" file
 	next $ perform file (mkKey keyname)
-start _ = error "specify a key and a content file"
+start _ = giveup "specify a key and a content file"
 
 mkKey :: String -> Key
-mkKey = fromMaybe (error "bad key") . file2key
+mkKey = fromMaybe (giveup "bad key") . file2key
 
 perform :: FilePath -> Key -> CommandPerform
 perform file key = do
diff --git a/Command/SetPresentKey.hs b/Command/SetPresentKey.hs
index 20c96ae36..da2a6fa3d 100644
--- a/Command/SetPresentKey.hs
+++ b/Command/SetPresentKey.hs
@@ -26,9 +26,9 @@ start (ks:us:vs:[]) = do
 	showStart' "setpresentkey" k (mkActionItem k)
 	next $ perform k (toUUID us) s
   where
-	k = fromMaybe (error "bad key") (file2key ks)
-	s = fromMaybe (error "bad value") (parseStatus vs)
-start _ = error "Wrong number of parameters"
+	k = fromMaybe (giveup "bad key") (file2key ks)
+	s = fromMaybe (giveup "bad value") (parseStatus vs)
+start _ = giveup "Wrong number of parameters"
 
 perform :: Key -> UUID -> LogStatus -> CommandPerform
 perform k u s = next $ do
diff --git a/Command/Sync.hs b/Command/Sync.hs
index d7edac743..85f1f2f2c 100644
--- a/Command/Sync.hs
+++ b/Command/Sync.hs
@@ -169,7 +169,15 @@ prepMerge :: Annex ()
 prepMerge = Annex.changeDirectory =<< fromRepo Git.repoPath
 
 mergeConfig :: [Git.Merge.MergeConfig]	
-mergeConfig = [Git.Merge.MergeNonInteractive]
+mergeConfig = 
+	[ Git.Merge.MergeNonInteractive
+	-- In several situations, unrelated histories should be merged
+	-- together. This includes pairing in the assistant, and merging
+	-- from a remote into a newly created direct mode repo.
+	-- (Once direct mode is removed, this could be changed, so only
+	-- the assistant uses it.)
+	, Git.Merge.MergeUnrelatedHistories
+	]
 
 merge :: CurrBranch -> [Git.Merge.MergeConfig] -> Git.Branch.CommitMode -> Git.Branch -> Annex Bool
 merge (Just b, Just adj) mergeconfig commitmode tomerge =
@@ -287,7 +295,7 @@ updateSyncBranch (Just branch, madj) = do
 
 updateBranch :: Git.Branch -> Git.Branch -> Git.Repo -> IO ()
 updateBranch syncbranch updateto g = 
-	unlessM go $ error $ "failed to update " ++ Git.fromRef syncbranch
+	unlessM go $ giveup $ "failed to update " ++ Git.fromRef syncbranch
   where
 	go = Git.Command.runBool
 		[ Param "branch"
diff --git a/Command/TestRemote.hs b/Command/TestRemote.hs
index 40d02c166..4c0ff9e3c 100644
--- a/Command/TestRemote.hs
+++ b/Command/TestRemote.hs
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ seek o = commandAction $ start (fromInteger $ sizeOption o) (testRemote o)
 start :: Int -> RemoteName -> CommandStart
 start basesz name = do
 	showStart "testremote" name
-	r <- either error id <$> Remote.byName' name
+	r <- either giveup id <$> Remote.byName' name
 	showAction "generating test keys"
 	fast <- Annex.getState Annex.fast
 	ks <- mapM randKey (keySizes basesz fast)
diff --git a/Command/TransferInfo.hs b/Command/TransferInfo.hs
index 21b7830c3..6870c84f0 100644
--- a/Command/TransferInfo.hs
+++ b/Command/TransferInfo.hs
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ start (k:[]) = do
 				, exitSuccess
 				]
 	stop
-start _ = error "wrong number of parameters"
+start _ = giveup "wrong number of parameters"
 
 readUpdate :: IO (Maybe Integer)
 readUpdate = readish <$> getLine
diff --git a/Command/Unannex.hs b/Command/Unannex.hs
index 4e83fd420..e744b51a8 100644
--- a/Command/Unannex.hs
+++ b/Command/Unannex.hs
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ wrapUnannex a = ifM (versionSupportsUnlockedPointers <||> isDirect)
 	 -}
 	, ifM cleanindex
 		( lockPreCommitHook $ commit `after` a
-		, error "Cannot proceed with uncommitted changes staged in the index. Recommend you: git commit"
+		, giveup "Cannot proceed with uncommitted changes staged in the index. Recommend you: git commit"
 		)
 	)
   where
diff --git a/Command/Undo.hs b/Command/Undo.hs
index 24c099f92..c366453a3 100644
--- a/Command/Undo.hs
+++ b/Command/Undo.hs
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ seek ps = do
 	-- in the index.
 	(fs, cleanup) <- inRepo $ LsFiles.notInRepo False ps
 	unless (null fs) $
-		error $ "Cannot undo changes to files that are not checked into git: " ++ unwords fs
+		giveup $ "Cannot undo changes to files that are not checked into git: " ++ unwords fs
 	void $ liftIO $ cleanup
 
 	-- Committing staged changes before undo allows later
diff --git a/Command/Ungroup.hs b/Command/Ungroup.hs
index 5f84a375f..ddcdba466 100644
--- a/Command/Ungroup.hs
+++ b/Command/Ungroup.hs
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ start (name:g:[]) = do
 	showStart "ungroup" name
 	u <- Remote.nameToUUID name
 	next $ perform u g
-start _ = error "Specify a repository and a group."
+start _ = giveup "Specify a repository and a group."
 
 perform :: UUID -> Group -> CommandPerform
 perform uuid g = do
diff --git a/Command/Uninit.hs b/Command/Uninit.hs
index fa7e13013..d8c7d1295 100644
--- a/Command/Uninit.hs
+++ b/Command/Uninit.hs
@@ -30,12 +30,12 @@ cmd = addCheck check $
 check :: Annex ()
 check = do
 	b <- current_branch
-	when (b == Annex.Branch.name) $ error $
+	when (b == Annex.Branch.name) $ giveup $
 		"cannot uninit when the " ++ Git.fromRef b ++ " branch is checked out"
 	top <- fromRepo Git.repoPath
 	currdir <- liftIO getCurrentDirectory
 	whenM ((/=) <$> liftIO (absPath top) <*> liftIO (absPath currdir)) $
-		error "can only run uninit from the top of the git repository"
+		giveup "can only run uninit from the top of the git repository"
   where
 	current_branch = Git.Ref . Prelude.head . lines <$> revhead
 	revhead = inRepo $ Git.Command.pipeReadStrict
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ seek ps = do
 {- git annex symlinks that are not checked into git could be left by an
  - interrupted add. -}
 startCheckIncomplete :: FilePath -> Key -> CommandStart
-startCheckIncomplete file _ = error $ unlines
+startCheckIncomplete file _ = giveup $ unlines
 	[ file ++ " points to annexed content, but is not checked into git."
 	, "Perhaps this was left behind by an interrupted git annex add?"
 	, "Not continuing with uninit; either delete or git annex add the file and retry."
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ finish = do
 	prepareRemoveAnnexDir annexdir
 	if null leftovers
 		then liftIO $ removeDirectoryRecursive annexdir
-		else error $ unlines
+		else giveup $ unlines
 			[ "Not fully uninitialized"
 			, "Some annexed data is still left in " ++ annexobjectdir
 			, "This may include deleted files, or old versions of modified files."
diff --git a/Command/Unused.hs b/Command/Unused.hs
index c116cdc0e..1711fe047 100644
--- a/Command/Unused.hs
+++ b/Command/Unused.hs
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ unusedSpec m spec
 	range (a, b) = case (readish a, readish b) of
 		(Just x, Just y) -> [x..y]
 		_ -> badspec
-	badspec = error $ "Expected number or range, not \"" ++ spec ++ "\""
+	badspec = giveup $ "Expected number or range, not \"" ++ spec ++ "\""
 
 {- Seek action for unused content. Finds the number in the maps, and
  - calls one of 3 actions, depending on the type of unused file. -}
@@ -335,7 +335,7 @@ startUnused message unused badunused tmpunused maps n = search
 	, (unusedTmpMap maps, tmpunused)
 	]
   where
-	search [] = error $ show n ++ " not valid (run git annex unused for list)"
+	search [] = giveup $ show n ++ " not valid (run git annex unused for list)"
 	search ((m, a):rest) =
 		case M.lookup n m of
 			Nothing -> search rest
diff --git a/Command/VAdd.hs b/Command/VAdd.hs
index a4b3f379f..c94ce5722 100644
--- a/Command/VAdd.hs
+++ b/Command/VAdd.hs
@@ -33,6 +33,6 @@ start params = do
 				next $ next $ return True
 			Narrowing -> next $ next $ do
 				if visibleViewSize view' == visibleViewSize view
-					then error "That would not add an additional level of directory structure to the view. To filter the view, use vfilter instead of vadd."
+					then giveup "That would not add an additional level of directory structure to the view. To filter the view, use vfilter instead of vadd."
 					else checkoutViewBranch view' narrowView
-			Widening -> error "Widening view to match more files is not currently supported."
+			Widening -> giveup "Widening view to match more files is not currently supported."
diff --git a/Command/VCycle.hs b/Command/VCycle.hs
index 20fc9a22a..28326e16f 100644
--- a/Command/VCycle.hs
+++ b/Command/VCycle.hs
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ seek = withNothing start
 start ::CommandStart
 start = go =<< currentView
   where
-	go Nothing = error "Not in a view."
+	go Nothing = giveup "Not in a view."
 	go (Just v) = do
 		showStart "vcycle" ""
 		let v' = v { viewComponents = vcycle [] (viewComponents v) }
diff --git a/Command/VFilter.hs b/Command/VFilter.hs
index 60bbcd3d3..130e2550c 100644
--- a/Command/VFilter.hs
+++ b/Command/VFilter.hs
@@ -26,5 +26,5 @@ start params = do
 		let view' = filterView view $
 			map parseViewParam $ reverse params
 		next $ next $ if visibleViewSize view' > visibleViewSize view
-			then error "That would add an additional level of directory structure to the view, rather than filtering it. If you want to do that, use vadd instead of vfilter."
+			then giveup "That would add an additional level of directory structure to the view, rather than filtering it. If you want to do that, use vadd instead of vfilter."
 			else checkoutViewBranch view' narrowView
diff --git a/Command/VPop.hs b/Command/VPop.hs
index 8490567dc..58411001b 100644
--- a/Command/VPop.hs
+++ b/Command/VPop.hs
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ seek = withWords start
 start :: [String] -> CommandStart
 start ps = go =<< currentView
   where
-	go Nothing = error "Not in a view."
+	go Nothing = giveup "Not in a view."
 	go (Just v) = do
 		showStart "vpop" (show num)
 		removeView v
diff --git a/Command/Vicfg.hs b/Command/Vicfg.hs
index d7963725a..64daa598b 100644
--- a/Command/Vicfg.hs
+++ b/Command/Vicfg.hs
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ vicfg curcfg f = do
 	vi <- liftIO $ catchDefaultIO "vi" $ getEnv "EDITOR"
 	-- Allow EDITOR to be processed by the shell, so it can contain options.
 	unlessM (liftIO $ boolSystem "sh" [Param "-c", Param $ unwords [vi, shellEscape f]]) $
-		error $ vi ++ " exited nonzero; aborting"
+		giveup $ vi ++ " exited nonzero; aborting"
 	r <- parseCfg (defCfg curcfg) <$> liftIO (readFileStrictAnyEncoding f)
 	liftIO $ nukeFile f
 	case r of
diff --git a/Command/View.hs b/Command/View.hs
index 65985fdac..513e6d10c 100644
--- a/Command/View.hs
+++ b/Command/View.hs
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ seek :: CmdParams -> CommandSeek
 seek = withWords start
 
 start :: [String] -> CommandStart
-start [] = error "Specify metadata to include in view"
+start [] = giveup "Specify metadata to include in view"
 start ps = do
 	showStart "view" ""
 	view <- mkView ps
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ start ps = do
 	go view Nothing = next $ perform view
 	go view (Just v)
 		| v == view = stop
-		| otherwise = error "Already in a view. Use the vfilter and vadd commands to further refine this view."
+		| otherwise = giveup "Already in a view. Use the vfilter and vadd commands to further refine this view."
 
 perform :: View -> CommandPerform
 perform view = do
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ paramView = paramRepeating "FIELD=VALUE"
 mkView :: [String] -> Annex View
 mkView ps = go =<< inRepo Git.Branch.current
   where
-	go Nothing = error "not on any branch!"
+	go Nothing = giveup "not on any branch!"
 	go (Just b) = return $ fst $ refineView (View b []) $
 		map parseViewParam $ reverse ps
 
diff --git a/Command/Wanted.hs b/Command/Wanted.hs
index dca92a7b4..8fd369df6 100644
--- a/Command/Wanted.hs
+++ b/Command/Wanted.hs
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ cmd' name desc getter setter = command name SectionSetup desc pdesc (withParams
 	start (rname:expr:[]) = go rname $ \uuid -> do
 		showStart name rname
 		performSet setter expr uuid
-	start _ = error "Specify a repository."
+	start _ = giveup "Specify a repository."
 		
 	go rname a = do
 		u <- Remote.nameToUUID rname
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ performGet getter a = do
 
 performSet :: (a -> PreferredContentExpression -> Annex ()) -> String -> a -> CommandPerform
 performSet setter expr a = case checkPreferredContentExpression expr of
-	Just e -> error $ "Parse error: " ++ e
+	Just e -> giveup $ "Parse error: " ++ e
 	Nothing -> do
 		setter a expr
 		next $ return True
diff --git a/Command/WebApp.hs b/Command/WebApp.hs
index 4dff8c9d1..d9c001b22 100644
--- a/Command/WebApp.hs
+++ b/Command/WebApp.hs
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ start' allowauto o = do
 			else annexListen <$> Annex.getGitConfig
 		ifM (checkpid <&&> checkshim f)
 			( if isJust (listenAddress o)
-				then error "The assistant is already running, so --listen cannot be used."
+				then giveup "The assistant is already running, so --listen cannot be used."
 				else do
 					url <- liftIO . readFile
 						=<< fromRepo gitAnnexUrlFile
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ startNoRepo o = go =<< liftIO (filterM doesDirectoryExist =<< readAutoStartFile)
 				go ds
 			Right state -> void $ Annex.eval state $ do
 				whenM (fromRepo Git.repoIsLocalBare) $
-					error $ d ++ " is a bare git repository, cannot run the webapp in it"
+					giveup $ d ++ " is a bare git repository, cannot run the webapp in it"
 				callCommandAction $
 					start' False o