---
title: "Exiting with code -9"
description: "What exit code -9 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-9/exiting-with-code-9/"
---
# Exiting with code -9

**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: The programs file contains invalid XML. '<path>\Programs.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.RunProgram.ProgramsFile.DeserialisePrograms(String programsFilePath)
 --- End of inner exception stack trace ---
 at Cloudhouse.Container.Core.RunProgram.ProgramsFile.DeserialisePrograms(String programsFilePath)
 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: -9`

![The programs file contains](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/public/assets/images/helpjuice-import/the-programs-file-contains-invalid-xml-programsxml-systemxmlxmlexception-2022-10-14/the-programs-file-contains.webp)

**Cause**: This error is caused if the contents of the `Programs.xml` file in the root folder of the Compatibility Package are invalid and cannot be parsed.

!!! tip

    The cause of the error (of which there could be many) is shown after the `---> System.Xml.XmlException:` text. For example, `Cloudhouse.Container.Core.Exceptions.InvalidConfigurationFileException: The programs file contains invalid XML. '<path>\Programs.xml' ---> System.Xml.XmlException: Root element is missing`.

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