diff --git a/third_party/astrolabe/src/App.vue b/third_party/astrolabe/src/App.vue
index ac98bf6..7c646bf 100644
--- a/third_party/astrolabe/src/App.vue
+++ b/third_party/astrolabe/src/App.vue
@@ -615,7 +615,20 @@ export default {
 				}
 			} catch (err) {
 				console.error('Search error:', err)
-				this.error = this.t('astrolabe', 'Network error. Please try again.')
+				// Check if this is an HTTP error with a response
+				if (err.response && err.response.data && err.response.data.error) {
+					// Use the specific error message from the backend
+					this.error = err.response.data.error
+				} else if (err.response && err.response.status === 401) {
+					// Unauthorized - user needs to authorize the app
+					this.error = this.t('astrolabe', 'Authorization required. Please complete Step 1 in Settings → Astrolabe.')
+				} else if (err.response && err.response.status === 503) {
+					// Service unavailable - MCP server not reachable
+					this.error = this.t('astrolabe', 'Search service unavailable. Please try again later.')
+				} else {
+					// Actual network error or unknown error
+					this.error = this.t('astrolabe', 'Network error. Please try again.')
+				}
 				this.results = []
 			} finally {
 				this.loading = false
@@ -637,7 +650,14 @@ export default {
 				}
 			} catch (err) {
 				console.error('Status error:', err)
-				this.statusError = this.t('astrolabe', 'Network error. Please try again.')
+				// Extract error message from response if available
+				if (err.response && err.response.data && err.response.data.error) {
+					this.statusError = err.response.data.error
+				} else if (err.response && err.response.status === 401) {
+					this.statusError = this.t('astrolabe', 'Authorization required. Please complete Step 1 in Settings → Astrolabe.')
+				} else {
+					this.statusError = this.t('astrolabe', 'Network error. Please try again.')
+				}
 			} finally {
 				this.statusLoading = false
 			}