# Error 422 - about.json does not exist when trying to run "discourse\_theme watch

**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/error-422-about-json-does-not-exist-when-trying-to-run-discourse-theme-watch/380502
**Category:** Support
**Tags:** development
**Created:** [August 27, 2025, 10:41am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/error-422-about-json-does-not-exist-when-trying-to-run-discourse-theme-watch/380502 "2025-08-27T10:41:04Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Showing post:** 1

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### Author: ![hdng](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dec6dc/32.png) [@hdng](https://meta.discourse.org/u/hdng)
#### Post date: [August 27, 2025, 10:41am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/error-422-about-json-does-not-exist-when-trying-to-run-discourse-theme-watch/380502/1 "2025-08-27T10:41:04Z")

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Hello,

Hoping someone might be able to help here.

For context, I’ve picked up the current forum from a previous agency and I’ve not worked in Discourse prior to this week.

I need to make a modification to the theme (to fix the id:discourse.component-template-resolving notice).

I’ve followed the guide to setting up the CLI. I’ve managed to connect to the API and download the theme files.

However, when I try to run `discourse_theme watch .` I’m getting the following error:

> ✘ Error 422 for [https://forum.mywebsite.co.uk/admin/themes/import.json:](https://forum.mywebsite.co.uk/admin/themes/import.json:) Import Error: about.json does not exist, or is invalid. Are you sure this is a Discourse Theme?

I have checked the following:

- I’m operating from the correct folder.
- about.json is named and formatted correctly
  - I have authors and the version numbers in there too
  - The encoding is correct

- All directories exist

I thought possibly it _could_ be the API permissions, but if I’m connected and the scopes in `admin/api/keys/settings` are correct and present, then surely it can’t be?

Basically, I’m stuck. Please can someone point me in the right direction?

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_[View the full topic](https://meta.discourse.org/t/error-422-about-json-does-not-exist-when-trying-to-run-discourse-theme-watch/380502)._