debug: wrap build() in try/except to capture Space crash

app.py

@@ -459,7 +459,19 @@ def build() -> gr.Blocks:
     return demo
 
 
-demo = build()
+try:
+    demo = build()
+except Exception as e:
+    import traceback
+    traceback.print_exc()
+    # Fallback: minimal demo so the Space isn't a blank crash
+    import gradio as gr
+    demo = gr.Interface(
+        fn=lambda x: f"Startup error: {e}",
+        inputs="text",
+        outputs="text",
+        title="The Chief Engineer (startup failed)",
+    )
 
 if __name__ == "__main__" and not os.environ.get("SPACE_ID"):
     print(f"[chief-engineer] {llm.backend_status()} | seeded {_loaded} lessons this run")