# Prodigy Installation issue: Make sure the file has the correct format and doesn't contain invalid JSON.

**URL:** <https://support.prodi.gy/t/prodigy-installation-issue-make-sure-the-file-has-the-correct-format-and-doesnt-contain-invalid-json/5969>\
**Category:** Getting Started\
**Tags:** usage, install\
**Created:** [September 23, 2022, 8:25pm UTC](https://support.prodi.gy/t/prodigy-installation-issue-make-sure-the-file-has-the-correct-format-and-doesnt-contain-invalid-json/5969 "2022-09-23T20:25:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jiebei](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6de8d8/32.png) [@jiebei](https://support.prodi.gy/u/jiebei)\
**Post date:** [September 23, 2022, 8:25pm UTC](https://support.prodi.gy/t/prodigy-installation-issue-make-sure-the-file-has-the-correct-format-and-doesnt-contain-invalid-json/5969/1 "2022-09-23T20:25:55Z")

</div>

When I tried installing the prodigy, i can activate prodigy by

```python
Projects\prodigy\Scripts\activate

```

After I enter the recipe, I got the message "Couldn't load config from C:\Users\Administrator.prodigy\prodigy.json. Make sure the file has the correct format and doesn't contain invalid JSON."

```python
python -m prodigy ner.manual ner_news_headlines blank:en prodigy\news_headlines.jsonl --label PERSON,ORG,PRODUCT,LOCATION

```

But I can see the prodigy.json file in the folder. How can I start the prodigy browser interface?  
 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/prodigy/original/2X/f/f819053c656c88bd41f9beb1a925abd43f0f0629.png)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ryanwesslen](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/support.prodi.gy/ryanwesslen/32/2969_2.png) [@ryanwesslen](https://support.prodi.gy/u/ryanwesslen)\
**Post date:** [September 24, 2022, 9:45am UTC](https://support.prodi.gy/t/prodigy-installation-issue-make-sure-the-file-has-the-correct-format-and-doesnt-contain-invalid-json/5969/2 "2022-09-24T09:45:26Z")

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hi @jeibei!

> [@jiebei](#):
>
> After I enter the recipe, I got the message "Couldn't load config from C:\Users\Administrator.prodigy\prodigy.json. Make sure the file has the correct format and doesn't contain invalid JSON."

Given the error message, you likely didn't format your json file correctly.

Try to copy/paste your file to an online json formatter like this:

> **[JSON Formatter & Validator](https://jsonformatter.curiousconcept.com/#)**
>
> Format and validate JSON data so that it can easily be read by human beings.

You likely missed a comma or something similar. I do this all the time. If the formatter doesn't help, work backwards by removing everything (i.e., your file is only `{}`, then check again so you can see it run. Then slowly add in each new key/value pair. Hopefully you'll find the error.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jiebei](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6de8d8/32.png) [@jiebei](https://support.prodi.gy/u/jiebei)\
**Post date:** [September 24, 2022, 8:05pm UTC](https://support.prodi.gy/t/prodigy-installation-issue-make-sure-the-file-has-the-correct-format-and-doesnt-contain-invalid-json/5969/3 "2022-09-24T20:05:05Z")

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Hi Ryan, thanks again for your reply. I fixed the issue by making change in the prodigy.json file. Although I still do not quite understand why, I just wanted to share the changes that I made.  
When I open the prodigy.json file, it was coded as

```python
{
host:"*"
}

```

My progidy can work after I changed it to

```python
{
"host":"localhost"
}

```