An "exec format error" typically appears when your system tries to run a file that it doesn't understand—often because the file was built for a different hardware architecture or lacks proper execution instructions.

This error is common when attempting to run an x86_64 binary on an ARM system, or vice versa. It can also happen with scripts that are missing a valid shebang line (e.g., #!/bin/bash), which tells the system which interpreter to use.

To troubleshoot, start by checking the file type using file <filename>—this will show you what architecture it’s built for. Confirm it matches your system with uname -m. For scripts, ensure the shebang line is correct and the file is executable (chmod +x). If you're working across platforms, you may need to recompile the binary for your system or use an emulator like QEMU to bridge the gap. https://perimattic.com/fix-exec-format-error/