Feature Request: Enhanced Contextual Error Messaging System
🎯 Objective
Enhance the audio upload experience by delivering clear, actionable, and intelligent error messages to users when file uploads fail due to technical or validation issues.
The goal is to:
Reduce user frustration and abandonment
Lower support tickets
Guide users toward resolving common upload problems
🧩 Feature Scope
This feature targets the file upload workflow in the Corpus Collector app. It applies to:
Audio recording submissions
File uploads (drag-and-drop or file picker)
Background validation during and after upload
⚠️ Supported Error Categories
1. ⏱️ Duration & Quality Issues
Condition
Error Message
Suggested Action
Audio too short (<10 sec)
The audio is too short. Minimum length is 10 seconds.
Prompt to re-record or upload a longer clip
Audio too long (e.g., >15 min)
This recording is too long. Maximum allowed is 15 minutes.
Suggest trimming using a recommended tool (e.g., "Try Audacity or VLC to trim your file.")
Silent or low-volume audio
The recording is too quiet or silent.
Suggest checking mic settings or re-recording in a quieter place
Excessive background noise (auto-detectable)
Your recording has too much background noise.
Recommend re-recording in a quieter environment or using a better mic
2. 🗂️ Format & Type Issues
Condition
Error Message
Suggested Action
Unsupported file format
Unsupported format. Use .wav, .mp3, or .flac files only.
Provide tooltip with accepted formats
File corrupt or unreadable
We couldn’t read this file. It may be corrupted.
Recommend re-exporting the file from original software
Video file uploaded
Only audio files are allowed. Video files are not accepted.
Suggest converting video to audio using tools like VLC
Incorrect bitrate/sample rate (if enforced)
Audio must be at least 16kHz and 128kbps.
Offer link to documentation or tool to convert
3. 💾 File Size & Storage Constraints
Condition
Error Message
Suggested Action
File too large (>10GB)
File exceeds the 10GB limit.
Suggest compressing with tools (e.g., "Try ffmpeg to reduce size.")
Upload fails due to low device storage
Device is low on storage. Upload cannot proceed.
Prompt user to clear space and retry
Upload fails due to low bandwidth
Upload interrupted by slow network.
Recommend switching to Wi-Fi or retrying later
Multiple files too large in total
Selected files exceed the upload limit.
Suggest uploading files in smaller batches
4. 🔐 Permissions & Security
Condition
Error Message
Suggested Action
Not logged in
You need to log in to upload files.
Redirect to login with preserved upload session
File access denied
We couldn’t access this file.
Suggest checking file permissions or re-selecting
File flagged as insecure
This file is not safe to upload.
Block upload and provide option to contact support
5. 🔁 Duplicate or Session Issues
Condition
Error Message
Suggested Action
Duplicate file detected
This file was already uploaded.
Show file history or allow override with warning
Upload session expired
Your session expired. Please log in again.
Auto-redirect and retain upload context if possible
6. 📶 Connectivity & Timeout Errors
Condition
Error Message
Suggested Action
Network instability
Unstable connection detected.
Prompt to retry or check network
Upload timeout
Upload timed out due to large file or slow internet.
Suggest retry or compressing file
Server error or downtime
We’re experiencing issues. Please try again later.
Include status page link or auto-retry logic
🧪 Testing Strategy
Unit tests for all error handler logic
Integration tests simulating failed uploads of various types
Manual QA covering edge cases, UI consistency, and accessibility
Test with slow network simulators and offline scenarios