Fix: MeiliSearch Timeout Error In Karakeep

Experiencing a MeiliSearchTimeOutError in your Karakeep logs? This article dives into the root cause of this issue, provides a step-by-step guide to reproduce the error, and proposes a solution to resolve it. We'll explore the technical details behind the error and how to adjust MeiliSearch settings to prevent it from occurring.

Understanding the MeiliSearchTimeOutError

The MeiliSearchTimeOutError in Karakeep indicates that the application is timing out while waiting for a task to be resolved by MeiliSearch. MeiliSearch is a fast, open-source search engine that Karakeep uses for indexing and searching bookmarks. When you add a new link to Karakeep, the application sends a request to MeiliSearch to index the content of the link, making it searchable. This indexing process involves analyzing the text, creating an index, and storing the data in a way that allows for quick retrieval. However, if the indexing process takes longer than the default timeout period, MeiliSearch throws a MeiliSearchTimeOutError, which is then logged by Karakeep.

The default timeout is set to 5000ms (5 seconds), which might be insufficient for larger documents or when the MeiliSearch instance is under heavy load. Several factors can contribute to the indexing process taking longer than expected. These include:

• The size and complexity of the document being indexed.
• The performance of the server running MeiliSearch.
• The current load on the MeiliSearch instance.
• Network latency between Karakeep and MeiliSearch.

When the timeout is exceeded, the MeiliSearchTimeOutError is raised, indicating that the Karakeep application has stopped waiting for a response from MeiliSearch. While this error doesn't necessarily mean that the indexing process has failed, it does indicate that the application is not receiving confirmation of the successful indexing within the expected time frame. This can lead to inconsistencies in the search index and potentially affect the accuracy of search results.

Reproducing the Error

To reproduce the MeiliSearchTimeOutError in Karakeep, follow these steps:

1. Share a link to an Android app: The type of link shared can influence the indexing time. Sharing a link to an Android app, especially one with a lot of textual content or metadata, can trigger the error.
2. Wait for a couple of seconds: Allow the Karakeep application to process the link and send the indexing request to MeiliSearch.
3. Check the Karakeep application log: Monitor the Karakeep application log for any error messages. In most cases, the MeiliSearchTimeOutError will be logged if the indexing process takes longer than the default timeout period.

By following these steps, you can reliably reproduce the error and verify the effectiveness of any proposed solutions. It's important to note that the frequency of the error may vary depending on the factors mentioned earlier, such as the size of the document and the performance of the MeiliSearch instance. However, by consistently reproducing the error, you can gain a better understanding of its behavior and identify the underlying causes.

Analyzing the Logs

The provided log snippets offer valuable insights into the timing and context of the MeiliSearchTimeOutError. Let's break down the key components of the log messages:

Nov 13 16:45:13 srv590599 karakeep[931027]: 2025-11-13T16:45:13.911Z error: [search][3001] search job failed: MeiliSearchTimeOutError: timeout of 5000ms has exceeded on process 870 when waiting a task to be resolved.
Nov 13 16:45:13 srv590599 karakeep[931027]: MeiliSearchTimeOutError: timeout of 5000ms has exceeded on process 870 when waiting a task to be resolved.
Nov 13 16:45:13 srv590599 karakeep[931027]:     at TaskClient.waitForTask (file:///app/apps/workers/dist/plugins-search-meilisearch-CaCsu9Fv.js:435:9)
...
Nov 13 16:45:19 srv590599 karakeep[931027]: 2025-11-13T16:45:19.133Z error: [search][3001] search job failed: MeiliSearchTimeOutError: timeout of 5000ms has exceeded on process 871 when waiting a task to be resolved.
Nov 13 16:45:19 srv590599 karakeep[931027]: MeiliSearchTimeOutError: timeout of 5000ms has exceeded on process 871 when waiting a task to be resolved.

• Timestamp: The timestamp indicates when the error occurred. In this case, the errors occurred on November 13, 2025, at 16:45:13 and 16:45:19.
• Error Message: The error message clearly states that the MeiliSearchTimeOutError occurred because the timeout of 5000ms was exceeded while waiting for a task to be resolved. This confirms that the application is timing out while waiting for MeiliSearch to complete an indexing task.
• Process ID: The process ID (e.g., 870, 871) identifies the specific process that encountered the timeout error. This can be useful for debugging and tracing the execution flow of the application.
• Stack Trace: The stack trace provides a detailed breakdown of the function calls that led to the error. It shows that the error originated in the TaskClient.waitForTask function, which is responsible for waiting for a task to be completed by MeiliSearch. The stack trace also includes the MeiliSearchIndexClient.addDocuments function, which is responsible for adding documents to the MeiliSearch index. This suggests that the error occurs during the process of adding new documents to the index.

By analyzing the logs, we can pinpoint the exact location where the error is occurring and gain a better understanding of the sequence of events that lead to the timeout. This information is crucial for developing an effective solution to the problem.

Proposed Solution: Increase the MeiliSearch Timeout

The most straightforward solution to the MeiliSearchTimeOutError is to increase the timeout value. The default timeout of 5000ms (5 seconds) might be insufficient for larger documents or when the MeiliSearch instance is under heavy load. By increasing the timeout, you give MeiliSearch more time to complete the indexing process, which can prevent the error from occurring.

As the original poster mentioned, the timeout is currently hardcoded in the meilisearch-js library: https://github.com/meilisearch/meilisearch-js/blob/7e97c9832f391fa851d38f8864b52ad9cca03c7a/src/task.ts#L65

Since there is currently no configuration option to adjust this timeout, the best approach is to request a configuration option in the Karakeep project. A setting is needed to increase this Meilisearch setting.

Requesting a Configuration Option

To request a configuration option, you can create an issue on the Karakeep GitHub repository. In the issue, explain the problem you are experiencing and why you need to increase the MeiliSearch timeout. Be sure to include the following information:

• A clear and concise description of the problem.
• The steps to reproduce the error.
• The expected behavior.
• The actual behavior.
• The relevant log snippets.
• A suggestion for how to implement the configuration option.

By providing this information, you can help the Karakeep developers understand the problem and implement a solution that meets your needs. In the meantime, you could potentially fork the Karakeep repository, modify the timeout value in the meilisearch-js library, and build your own version of Karakeep. However, this is a more advanced solution that requires familiarity with the Karakeep codebase and build process.

Potential Downsides to Increasing Timeout

While increasing the timeout can prevent the MeiliSearchTimeOutError, it's important to consider the potential downsides. If the timeout is set too high, it can lead to a delay in the application's response time. Users might experience a noticeable delay when adding new links, which can negatively impact the user experience. Therefore, it's important to strike a balance between preventing the error and maintaining a responsive user interface. Monitor Karakeep after the change.

Ultimately, the best solution is to optimize the indexing process in MeiliSearch. This can involve improving the performance of the server running MeiliSearch, reducing the size of the documents being indexed, or optimizing the MeiliSearch configuration. By optimizing the indexing process, you can reduce the indexing time and prevent the MeiliSearchTimeOutError from occurring, even with a lower timeout value.

Additional Considerations

Here are some additional factors to consider when dealing with the MeiliSearchTimeOutError:

• MeiliSearch Version: Ensure that you are using the latest version of MeiliSearch. Newer versions often include performance improvements and bug fixes that can help reduce indexing time.
• Server Resources: Make sure that the server running MeiliSearch has sufficient resources, such as CPU, memory, and disk I/O. Insufficient resources can lead to slow indexing performance and increase the likelihood of timeouts.
• Network Latency: Minimize the network latency between Karakeep and MeiliSearch. High network latency can increase the time it takes for the application to communicate with MeiliSearch, which can contribute to timeouts.
• Indexing Queue: Monitor the MeiliSearch indexing queue. If the queue is consistently full, it indicates that MeiliSearch is unable to keep up with the indexing requests. This can be caused by a high volume of indexing requests or by slow indexing performance.

By addressing these factors, you can further optimize the indexing process and prevent the MeiliSearchTimeOutError from occurring.

Conclusion

The MeiliSearchTimeOutError in Karakeep can be frustrating, but it's a manageable issue with the right approach. By understanding the root cause of the error, reproducing it consistently, and implementing the proposed solution of requesting a configuration option to increase the MeiliSearch timeout, you can effectively resolve the problem. Remember to consider the potential downsides of increasing the timeout and to explore other optimization strategies, such as improving the server resources and minimizing network latency.

By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that your Karakeep application runs smoothly and efficiently, without being plagued by the MeiliSearchTimeOutError. You can read more about MeiliSearch in their official documentation.