diff --git a/run_agent.py b/run_agent.py
index 1c3b25fe2..0e01206a6 100644
--- a/run_agent.py
+++ b/run_agent.py
@@ -5982,10 +5982,14 @@ class AIAgent:
                         api_error,
                     )
 
+                    _provider = getattr(self, "provider", "unknown")
+                    _base = getattr(self, "base_url", "unknown")
+                    _model = getattr(self, "model", "unknown")
                     self._vprint(f"{self.log_prefix}⚠️  API call failed (attempt {retry_count}/{max_retries}): {error_type}", force=True)
-                    self._vprint(f"{self.log_prefix}   ⏱️  Time elapsed before failure: {elapsed_time:.2f}s")
+                    self._vprint(f"{self.log_prefix}   🔌 Provider: {_provider}  Model: {_model}", force=True)
+                    self._vprint(f"{self.log_prefix}   🌐 Endpoint: {_base}", force=True)
                     self._vprint(f"{self.log_prefix}   📝 Error: {str(api_error)[:200]}", force=True)
-                    self._vprint(f"{self.log_prefix}   📊 Request context: {len(api_messages)} messages, ~{approx_tokens:,} tokens, {len(self.tools) if self.tools else 0} tools")
+                    self._vprint(f"{self.log_prefix}   ⏱️  Elapsed: {elapsed_time:.2f}s  Context: {len(api_messages)} msgs, ~{approx_tokens:,} tokens")
                     
                     # Check for interrupt before deciding to retry
                     if self._interrupt_requested:
@@ -6195,8 +6199,18 @@ class AIAgent:
                         self._dump_api_request_debug(
                             api_kwargs, reason="non_retryable_client_error", error=api_error,
                         )
-                        self._vprint(f"{self.log_prefix}❌ Non-retryable client error detected. Aborting immediately.", force=True)
-                        self._vprint(f"{self.log_prefix}   💡 This type of error won't be fixed by retrying.", force=True)
+                        self._vprint(f"{self.log_prefix}❌ Non-retryable client error (HTTP {status_code}). Aborting.", force=True)
+                        self._vprint(f"{self.log_prefix}   🔌 Provider: {_provider}  Model: {_model}", force=True)
+                        self._vprint(f"{self.log_prefix}   🌐 Endpoint: {_base}", force=True)
+                        # Actionable guidance for common auth errors
+                        if status_code in (401, 403) or "unauthorized" in error_msg or "forbidden" in error_msg or "permission" in error_msg:
+                            self._vprint(f"{self.log_prefix}   💡 Your API key was rejected by the provider. Check:", force=True)
+                            self._vprint(f"{self.log_prefix}      • Is the key valid? Run: hermes setup", force=True)
+                            self._vprint(f"{self.log_prefix}      • Does your account have access to {_model}?", force=True)
+                            if "openrouter" in str(_base).lower():
+                                self._vprint(f"{self.log_prefix}      • Check credits: https://openrouter.ai/settings/credits", force=True)
+                        else:
+                            self._vprint(f"{self.log_prefix}   💡 This type of error won't be fixed by retrying.", force=True)
                         logging.error(f"{self.log_prefix}Non-retryable client error: {api_error}")
                         # Skip session persistence when the error is likely
                         # context-overflow related (status 400 + large session).