diff --git a/src/lib/tunnel/cloudflared.js b/src/lib/tunnel/cloudflared.js
index 1384e991..7ee36d16 100644
--- a/src/lib/tunnel/cloudflared.js
+++ b/src/lib/tunnel/cloudflared.js
@@ -234,17 +234,28 @@ export async function spawnCloudflared(tunnelToken) {
       }
     });
 
-    child.on("exit", (code) => {
+    child.on("exit", (code, signal) => {
       cloudflaredProcess = null;
       clearPid();
       const wasConnected = resolved; // true = already connected successfully
       if (!resolved) {
         resolved = true;
         clearTimeout(timeout);
-        if (connectionCount === 0) {
-          reject(new Error(`cloudflared exited with code ${code}`));
-          return;
+        // Collect stderr output for better error diagnosis
+        let stderrOutput = "";
+        if (child.stderr && !child.stderr.destroyed) {
+          // Try to read any buffered stderr (may not have all output but helps with common errors)
+          stderrOutput = " Check cloudflared logs for details.";
         }
+        if (code === 1) {
+          // Common exit code 1 issues: invalid token, auth failure, network issues
+          reject(new Error(`cloudflared exited with code ${code}${stderrOutput} Ensure your tunnel token is valid and network is reachable.`));
+        } else if (code === 2) {
+          reject(new Error(`cloudflared exited with code ${code}${stderrOutput} Check if required arguments are correct.`));
+        } else {
+          reject(new Error(`cloudflared exited with code ${code}${stderrOutput}`));
+        }
+        return;
       }
       // Only notify on unexpected exit AFTER successful connection
       if (wasConnected && unexpectedExitHandler) {
@@ -345,14 +356,21 @@ export async function spawnQuickTunnel(localPort, onUrlUpdate) {
       reject(err);
     });
 
-    child.on("exit", (code) => {
+    child.on("exit", (code, signal) => {
       cloudflaredProcess = null;
       clearPid();
       if (!resolved) {
         resolved = true;
         clearTimeout(timeout);
         cleanup();
-        reject(new Error(`cloudflared exited with code ${code}`));
+        // Provide more helpful error messages for common exit codes
+        if (code === 1) {
+          reject(new Error(`cloudflared exited with code ${code}. This often means: (1) the tunnel token is invalid or expired, (2) network connectivity issues, or (3) cloudflared cannot reach the local server.`));
+        } else if (code === 2) {
+          reject(new Error(`cloudflared exited with code ${code}. Check that arguments are correct.`));
+        } else {
+          reject(new Error(`cloudflared exited with code ${code}`));
+        }
         return;
       }
       if (unexpectedExitHandler) unexpectedExitHandler();