Fix unavailable tag suggestions
Use the message in the AI inspector to separate setup problems from limited input or empty results.
Last updated: 2026-09-11
Quick answer
Open the AI inspector and read its banner. Upgrade Required needs a supported macOS version; a preparing model needs more time. No Suggestions can be a valid result. For file-evidence or size warnings, try a smaller workspace of readable local files and regenerate. Highlighting a subset does not reduce the analysis input.
Match the message to the next step
| Message or situation | Next step |
|---|---|
| Upgrade Required | Check requirements and setup. Little Tagger's AI inspector needs macOS 26 or later. |
| Apple Intelligence is not enabled | Follow the system setup in AI01. Local rule-based results may still appear on a supported inspector version. |
| The model is still preparing | Allow model preparation to finish, then use Try Again when available. |
| Apple Intelligence is unavailable or generation failed | Read any local-fallback message, then retry after checking setup and the input files. |
| File details did not fit into one pass | Reduce the actual workspace input, not just the displayed selection. |
| No Files Added | Add suitable files before requesting suggestions. |
| No Suggestions | Review the input, existing tags, and blocked names. Empty results are possible. |
Try a small, readable input set
- Wait for any tagging operation to finish and choose Manually for review-first work.
- Clear a selected preset or workflow for a one-off test.
- Use Clear Files, then add one or two non-confidential local text documents with descriptive names and content.
- Open View > Inspector > AI and let generation finish, or click Generate tag suggestions.
- Read the result and any evidence warning.
Selecting only two rows in a larger workspace does not perform this test. The generation input includes the imported workspace list.
Understand evidence limits
The feature uses limited portions of supported file content. Its current detailed inspection is limited to up to 18 accepted files and up to the first five pages of a PDF, with additional size limits. An image or document that is unreadable, unsupported, unusually large, or only partly inspected may contribute less information.
An evidence warning does not mean the original document was truncated or edited. It describes what the suggestion feature could inspect.
If a file cannot be read, check its location in Finder and restore access as described in Fix missing files or tags that did not change. Test with an ordinary local file before diagnosing a cloud or external-volume example.
A useful tag is not suggested
A name already assigned to any accepted workspace file is excluded from the suggestion candidates, even when other files do not yet have it. Enter that tag in the Tags inspector to apply it to additional files.
Also inspect Manage Tags > AI for a blocked full name and regenerate after changing the blocklist. A suggestion is not guaranteed merely because a name is allowed. Read Block words and customize suggestions for the matching rules.
Retry without changing file tags
Use the circular-arrow Generate tag suggestions button or Try Again when it is displayed. Regeneration changes the proposed list; it is not the same as applying the tags.
Avoid dragging a suggestion into the workspace while troubleshooting unless you intend a direct add-tag operation. For a controlled test, double-click a name, review Selected Tags, then apply it manually.
When to contact support
If a small local input set repeatedly fails after setup is ready, include the banner text, macOS version, Little Tagger version and build, file types, and approximate input sizes. Mention whether local fallback results appeared. Start with that description rather than sending the original private documents.