---
title: "Exiting with code -12"
description: "What exit code -12 from the Deployment Tool means and how to fix it."
product: "Alchemy"
edition: "Public"
type: "reference"
url: "https://docs.cloudhouse.com/public/troubleshooting-packages/errors/exit-codes/exit-code-12/exiting-with-code-12/"
---
# Exiting with code -12

**Problem**: When deploying a Compatibility Package, the following error is displayed:

Applies to: `Alchemy`

`ERROR Cloudhouse.Container.Deployment. Program - Failed:
Cloudhouse.Container.Core.Exceptions.InvalidConfigurationFileException: App registry file <path>\AppRegistry.xml contains invalid xml '<path>\AppRegistry.xml' ---> System.Xml.XmlException: Root element is missing.
 at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Throw(Exception e)
 at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseDocumentContent()
 at System.Xml.Linq.XDocument.Load(XmlReader reader, LoadOptions options)
 at System.Xml.Linq.XDocument.Load(Stream stream, LoadOptions options)
 at Cloudhouse.Container.Core.Serialization.XmlConvert.DeserializeFromFile[T](String path)
 at Cloudhouse.Container.Core.Registry.RegistryOperations.FromXml(String appRegistryPath, ConfigurationType type)
 --- End of inner exception stack trace ---
 at Cloudhouse.Container.Core.Registry.RegistryOperations.FromXml(String appRegistryPath, ConfigurationType type)
 at Cloudhouse.Container.Core.PackageDirectory.Validate()
 at Cloudhouse.Container.Core.PackageDirectory.get_SourcePackage()
 at Cloudhouse.Container.Deployment.DeploymentCommandFactory.Deploy()
 at Cloudhouse.Container.Deployment.Program.Main(String[] args)
ERROR Cloudhouse.Container.Deployment. Program - Exiting with code: -12`

![App registry file lt path](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/public/assets/images/helpjuice-import/app-registry-file-appregistryxml-contains-invalid-xml-appregistryxml/app-registry-file-lt-path.webp)

**Cause**: This error is caused if the contents of the `AppRegistry.xml` file in the root folder of the Compatibility Package are invalid.

**Solution**: To fix this issue, make sure the contents of the `AppRegistry.xml` file in the root folder of the Cloudhouse Alchemy Compatibility Packagevalid. If you still encounter problems, please contact your Cloudhouse Partner in the first instance (if relevant), otherwise contact Cloudhouse Support for further assistance.