diff --git a/cmd/members/invite.go b/cmd/members/invite.go
index 62127560..1cdd4246 100644
--- a/cmd/members/invite.go
+++ b/cmd/members/invite.go
@@ -12,8 +12,6 @@ import (
 	"ldcli/internal/members"
 )
 
-const defaultRole = "reader"
-
 func NewInviteCmd(client members.Client) (*cobra.Command, error) {
 	cmd := &cobra.Command{
 		Args:  validators.Validate(),
diff --git a/internal/quickstart/container.go b/internal/quickstart/container.go
index 79afa761..29282705 100644
--- a/internal/quickstart/container.go
+++ b/internal/quickstart/container.go
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ type ContainerModel struct {
 	err         error
 	flagKey     string
 	flagsClient flags.Client
+	quitMsg     string
 	quitting    bool
 	sdk         sdkDetail
 	steps       []tea.Model
@@ -52,12 +53,20 @@ func (m ContainerModel) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 		case key.Matches(msg, keys.Enter):
 			switch m.currentStep {
 			case createFlagStep:
-				updated, _ := m.steps[createFlagStep].Update(msg)
+				updated, cmd := m.steps[createFlagStep].Update(msg)
 				if model, ok := updated.(createFlagModel); ok {
 					if model.err != nil {
 						m.err = model.err
+						if model.quitting {
+							m.quitMsg = model.quitMsg
+							m.quitting = true
+
+							return m, cmd
+						}
+
 						return m, nil
 					}
+
 					m.flagKey = model.flagKey
 					m.currentStep += 1
 				}
@@ -86,24 +95,33 @@ func (m ContainerModel) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 }
 
 func (m ContainerModel) View() string {
-	if m.quitting {
-		return ""
+	// TODO: remove after creating more steps
+	if m.currentStep > chooseSDKStep {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("created flag %s\nselected the %s SDK", m.flagKey, m.sdk.DisplayName)
 	}
 
+	out := fmt.Sprintf("\nStep %d of %d\n"+m.steps[m.currentStep].View(), m.currentStep+1, len(m.steps))
 	if m.err != nil {
-		return lipgloss.
+		if m.quitting {
+			out := m.quitMsg + "\n\n"
+			out += m.err.Error()
+
+			return lipgloss.
+				NewStyle().
+				SetString(out).
+				Render() + "\n"
+		}
+
+		// show error and stay on the same step
+		out += "\n" + lipgloss.
 			NewStyle().
-			Foreground(lipgloss.Color("#eb4034")).
 			SetString(m.err.Error()).
-			Render()
-	}
+			Render() + "\n"
 
-	// TODO: remove after creating more steps
-	if m.currentStep > chooseSDKStep {
-		return fmt.Sprintf("created flag %s\nselected the %s SDK", m.flagKey, m.sdk.DisplayName)
+		return out
 	}
 
-	return fmt.Sprintf("\nStep %d of %d\n"+m.steps[m.currentStep].View(), m.currentStep+1, len(m.steps))
+	return out
 }
 
 type keyMap struct {
diff --git a/internal/quickstart/create_flag.go b/internal/quickstart/create_flag.go
index 1b0ece0d..e6444cf5 100644
--- a/internal/quickstart/create_flag.go
+++ b/internal/quickstart/create_flag.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package quickstart
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 
 	"github.com/charmbracelet/bubbles/key"
@@ -17,10 +18,12 @@ import (
 const defaultFlagName = "my new flag"
 
 type createFlagModel struct {
+	client    flags.Client
 	err       error
 	flagKey   string
 	flagName  string
-	client    flags.Client
+	quitMsg   string
+	quitting  bool
 	textInput textinput.Model
 }
 
@@ -69,6 +72,24 @@ func (m createFlagModel) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 			)
 			if err != nil {
 				m.err = err
+				// TODO: we may want a more robust error type so we don't need to do this
+				var e struct {
+					Code    string `json:"code"`
+					Message string `json:"message"`
+				}
+				_ = json.Unmarshal([]byte(m.err.Error()), &e)
+				switch {
+				case e.Code == "unauthorized":
+					m.quitting = true
+					m.quitMsg = "Your API key is unauthorized. Try another API key or speak to a LaunchDarkly account administrator."
+
+					return m, tea.Quit
+				case e.Code == "forbidden":
+					m.quitting = true
+					m.quitMsg = "You lack access to complete this action. Try authenticating with elevated access or speak to a LaunchDarkly account administrator."
+
+					return m, tea.Quit
+				}
 
 				return m, nil
 			}