diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 0edd3047..2d603801 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -12,3 +12,4 @@ outputs/*
 ai_settings.yaml
 .vscode
 auto-gpt.json
+log.txt
diff --git a/scripts/ai_config.py b/scripts/ai_config.py
index 1d5832c1..2a4854cb 100644
--- a/scripts/ai_config.py
+++ b/scripts/ai_config.py
@@ -92,4 +92,3 @@ class AIConfig:
 
         full_prompt += f"\n\n{data.load_prompt()}"
         return full_prompt
-
diff --git a/scripts/browse.py b/scripts/browse.py
index 09f376a7..b0c745ef 100644
--- a/scripts/browse.py
+++ b/scripts/browse.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ def scrape_text(url):
     # Most basic check if the URL is valid:
     if not url.startswith('http'):
         return "Error: Invalid URL"
-    
+
     # Restrict access to local files
     if check_local_file_access(url):
         return "Error: Access to local files is restricted"
diff --git a/scripts/chat.py b/scripts/chat.py
index c00e4d4a..23e5b501 100644
--- a/scripts/chat.py
+++ b/scripts/chat.py
@@ -63,10 +63,10 @@ def chat_with_ai(
             """
             model = cfg.fast_llm_model # TODO: Change model from hardcode to argument
             # Reserve 1000 tokens for the response
-            
+
             if cfg.debug:
                 print(f"Token limit: {token_limit}")
-                
+
             send_token_limit = token_limit - 1000
 
             relevant_memory = permanent_memory.get_relevant(str(full_message_history[-5:]), 10)
diff --git a/scripts/file_operations.py b/scripts/file_operations.py
index 1b87cc28..c6066ef9 100644
--- a/scripts/file_operations.py
+++ b/scripts/file_operations.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ def read_file(filename):
     """Read a file and return the contents"""
     try:
         filepath = safe_join(working_directory, filename)
-        with open(filepath, "r") as f:
+        with open(filepath, "r", encoding='utf-8') as f:
             content = f.read()
         return content
     except Exception as e:
diff --git a/scripts/json_parser.py b/scripts/json_parser.py
index 1fd68244..8c17dfa2 100644
--- a/scripts/json_parser.py
+++ b/scripts/json_parser.py
@@ -71,11 +71,11 @@ def fix_and_parse_json(
                 return json_str
         else:
             raise e
-            
-        
+
+
 def fix_json(json_str: str, schema: str) -> str:
     """Fix the given JSON string to make it parseable and fully complient with the provided schema."""
-    
+
     # Try to fix the JSON using gpt:
     function_string = "def fix_json(json_str: str, schema:str=None) -> str:"
     args = [f"'''{json_str}'''", f"'''{schema}'''"]
diff --git a/scripts/json_utils.py b/scripts/json_utils.py
index b3ffe4b9..80aab192 100644
--- a/scripts/json_utils.py
+++ b/scripts/json_utils.py
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ def balance_braces(json_string: str) -> str:
         json.loads(json_string)
         return json_string
     except json.JSONDecodeError as e:
-        raise e
+        pass
 
 
 def fix_invalid_escape(json_str: str, error_message: str) -> str:
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ def fix_invalid_escape(json_str: str, error_message: str) -> str:
             json.loads(json_str)
             return json_str
         except json.JSONDecodeError as e:
-            if cfg.debug:
+            if cfg.debug_mode:
                 print('json loads error - fix invalid escape', e)
             error_message = str(e)
     return json_str
@@ -103,12 +103,12 @@ def correct_json(json_str: str) -> str:
     """
 
     try:
-        if cfg.debug:
+        if cfg.debug_mode:
             print("json", json_str)
         json.loads(json_str)
         return json_str
     except json.JSONDecodeError as e:
-        if cfg.debug:
+        if cfg.debug_mode:
             print('json loads error', e)
         error_message = str(e)
         if error_message.startswith('Invalid \\escape'):
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ def correct_json(json_str: str) -> str:
                 json.loads(json_str)
                 return json_str
             except json.JSONDecodeError as e:
-                if cfg.debug:
+                if cfg.debug_mode:
                     print('json loads error - add quotes', e)
                 error_message = str(e)
         if balanced_str := balance_braces(json_str):
diff --git a/scripts/main.py b/scripts/main.py
index 4be0b2aa..d84e1508 100644
--- a/scripts/main.py
+++ b/scripts/main.py
@@ -9,8 +9,6 @@ from colorama import Fore, Style
 from spinner import Spinner
 import time
 import speak
-from enum import Enum, auto
-import sys
 from config import Config
 from json_parser import fix_and_parse_json
 from ai_config import AIConfig
@@ -172,7 +170,7 @@ def load_variables(config_file="config.yaml"):
         documents = yaml.dump(config, file)
 
     prompt = data.load_prompt()
-    prompt_start = """Your decisions must always be made independently without seeking user assistance. Play to your strengths as an LLM and pursue simple strategies with no legal complications."""
+    prompt_start = """Your decisions must always be made independently without seeking user assistance. Play to your strengths as a LLM and pursue simple strategies with no legal complications."""
 
     # Construct full prompt
     full_prompt = f"You are {ai_name}, {ai_role}\n{prompt_start}\n\nGOALS:\n\n"
@@ -290,17 +288,10 @@ def parse_arguments():
         print_to_console("Speak Mode: ", Fore.GREEN, "ENABLED")
         cfg.set_speak_mode(True)
 
-    if args.debug:
-        print_to_console("Debug Mode: ", Fore.GREEN, "ENABLED")
-        cfg.set_debug_mode(True)
-
     if args.gpt3only:
         print_to_console("GPT3.5 Only Mode: ", Fore.GREEN, "ENABLED")
         cfg.set_smart_llm_model(cfg.fast_llm_model)
 
-    if args.debug:
-        print_to_console("Debug Mode: ", Fore.GREEN, "ENABLED")
-        cfg.set_debug_mode(True)
 
 
 # TODO: fill in llm values here
@@ -417,4 +408,3 @@ while True:
             chat.create_chat_message(
                 "system", "Unable to execute command"))
         print_to_console("SYSTEM: ", Fore.YELLOW, "Unable to execute command")
-