diff --git a/CHANGELOG b/CHANGELOG
index 5f244e02c9..1dd4b21053 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG
+++ b/CHANGELOG
@@ -25,8 +25,6 @@ git-annex (10.20230408) UNRELEASED; urgency=medium
   * assistant --autostop: Avoid crashing when ~/.config/git-annex/autostart
     lists a directory that it cannot chdir to.
   * Honor --force option when operating on a local git remote.
-  * Added a --json-exceptions option, which makes some exceptions be output
-    in json.
 
  -- Joey Hess <id@joeyh.name>  Sat, 08 Apr 2023 13:57:18 -0400
 
diff --git a/CmdLine/GitAnnex/Options.hs b/CmdLine/GitAnnex/Options.hs
index fde99a5392..d5364a0a60 100644
--- a/CmdLine/GitAnnex/Options.hs
+++ b/CmdLine/GitAnnex/Options.hs
@@ -445,20 +445,13 @@ jsonOptions =
 		<> help "include error messages in JSON"
 		<> hidden
 		)
-	, annexFlag (setAnnexState $ Annex.setOutput (JSONOutput jsonexceptionsoptions))
-		( long "json-exceptions"
-		<> help "include exceptions in JSON"
-		<> hidden
-		)
 	]
   where
 	stdjsonoptions = JSONOptions
 		{ jsonProgress = False
 		, jsonErrorMessages = False
-		, jsonExceptions = False
 		}
 	jsonerrormessagesoptions = stdjsonoptions { jsonErrorMessages = True }
-	jsonexceptionsoptions = stdjsonoptions { jsonExceptions = True }
 
 jsonProgressOption :: [AnnexOption]
 jsonProgressOption = 
@@ -472,7 +465,6 @@ jsonProgressOption =
 	jsonoptions = JSONOptions
 		{ jsonProgress = True
 		, jsonErrorMessages = False
-		, jsonExceptions = False
 		}
 
 -- Note that a command that adds this option should wrap its seek
diff --git a/CmdLine/Seek.hs b/CmdLine/Seek.hs
index bd06f55803..d2815383a5 100644
--- a/CmdLine/Seek.hs
+++ b/CmdLine/Seek.hs
@@ -568,9 +568,9 @@ workTreeItems' (AllowHidden allowhidden) ww ps = case ww of
 			let p' = toRawFilePath p
 			relf <- liftIO $ relPathCwdToFile p'
 			ifM (not <$> (exists p' <||> hidden currbranch relf))
-				( prob FileNotFound (QuotedPath (toRawFilePath p) <> " not found")
+				( prob (QuotedPath (toRawFilePath p) <> " not found")
 				, ifM (viasymlink stopattop (upFrom relf))
-					( prob FileBeyondSymbolicLink (QuotedPath (toRawFilePath p) <> " is beyond a symbolic link")
+					( prob (QuotedPath (toRawFilePath p) <> " is beyond a symbolic link")
 					, return True
 					)
 				)
@@ -605,8 +605,8 @@ workTreeItems' (AllowHidden allowhidden) ww ps = case ww of
 			<$> catObjectMetaDataHidden f currbranch
 		| otherwise = return False
 
-	prob eid msg = do
-		showException False eid msg
+	prob msg = do
+		toplevelWarning False msg
 		Annex.incError
 		return False
 	
diff --git a/Messages.hs b/Messages.hs
index 53d0587197..565822365c 100644
--- a/Messages.hs
+++ b/Messages.hs
@@ -27,8 +27,6 @@ module Messages (
 	showEndFail,
 	showEndResult,
 	endResult,
-	ExceptionId(..),
-	showException,
 	toplevelWarning,
 	warning,
 	earlyWarning,
@@ -199,26 +197,6 @@ endResult :: Bool -> S.ByteString
 endResult True = "ok"
 endResult False = "failed"
 
-{- Unique ids for different exceptions. Do not change the constructors. -}
-data ExceptionId
-	= FileNotFound
-	| FileBeyondSymbolicLink
-	deriving (Show)
-
-{- Displays an message that is not associated with any file being
- - processed. -}
-showException :: Bool -> ExceptionId -> StringContainingQuotedPath -> Annex ()
-showException makeway eid msg = do
-	when makeway $
-		outputMessage JSON.none id "\n"
-	outputException (show eid) (mentionedfile msg)
-		("git-annex: " <> msg <> "\n")
-  where
-	mentionedfile (QuotedPath p) = Just p
-	mentionedfile (a :+: b) = mentionedfile a <|> mentionedfile b
-	mentionedfile (UnquotedString _) = Nothing
-	mentionedfile (UnquotedByteString _) = Nothing
-
 toplevelWarning :: Bool -> StringContainingQuotedPath -> Annex ()
 toplevelWarning makeway s = warning' makeway id ("git-annex: " <> s)
 
diff --git a/Messages/Internal.hs b/Messages/Internal.hs
index 6600b98a17..a16c7d2c61 100644
--- a/Messages/Internal.hs
+++ b/Messages/Internal.hs
@@ -90,14 +90,11 @@ outputError consolewhitespacef msg = withMessageState $ \s -> case (outputType s
 		qp <- coreQuotePath <$> Annex.getGitConfig
 		liftIO $ outputSerialized h $ OutputError $ decodeBS $
 			consolewhitespacef $ quote qp msg
-	_ -> outputError' consolewhitespacef msg s
-
-outputError' :: (S.ByteString -> S.ByteString) -> StringContainingQuotedPath -> MessageState -> Annex ()
-outputError' consolewhitespacef msg s
-	| concurrentOutputEnabled s = do
-		qp <- coreQuotePath <$> Annex.getGitConfig
-		concurrentMessage s True (decodeBS $ consolewhitespacef $ quote qp msg) go
-	| otherwise = go
+	_
+		| concurrentOutputEnabled s -> do
+			qp <- coreQuotePath <$> Annex.getGitConfig
+			concurrentMessage s True (decodeBS $ consolewhitespacef $ quote qp msg) go
+		| otherwise -> go
   where
 	go = do
 		qp <- coreQuotePath <$> Annex.getGitConfig
@@ -105,17 +102,6 @@ outputError' consolewhitespacef msg s
 		liftIO $ S.hPutStr stderr (consolewhitespacef $ quote qp msg)
 		liftIO $ hFlush stderr
 
-outputException :: String -> Maybe RawFilePath -> StringContainingQuotedPath -> Annex ()
-outputException eid mfile msg = withMessageState $ \s -> case outputType s of
-	(JSONOutput jsonoptions) | jsonExceptions jsonoptions ->
-		liftIO $ flushed $ JSON.emit $
-			JSON.exceptionObject eid (decodeBS (noquote msg)) mfile
-	(SerializedOutput h _) -> do
-		qp <- coreQuotePath <$> Annex.getGitConfig
-		liftIO $ outputSerialized h $ OutputException eid mfile $ decodeBS $
-			quote qp msg
-	_ -> outputError' id msg s
-
 q :: Monad m => m ()
 q = noop
 
diff --git a/Messages/JSON.hs b/Messages/JSON.hs
index 443f9b4f20..8960dd04a2 100644
--- a/Messages/JSON.hs
+++ b/Messages/JSON.hs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {- git-annex command-line JSON output and input
  -
- - Copyright 2011-2023 Joey Hess <id@joeyh.name>
+ - Copyright 2011-2021 Joey Hess <id@joeyh.name>
  -
  - Licensed under the GNU AGPL version 3 or higher.
  -}
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ module Messages.JSON (
 	ObjectMap(..),
 	JSONActionItem(..),
 	AddJSONActionItemFields(..),
-	exceptionObject,
 ) where
 
 import Control.Applicative
@@ -219,14 +218,3 @@ newtype AddJSONActionItemFields a = AddJSONActionItemFields a
 
 instance ToJSON' a => ToJSON' (AddJSONActionItemFields a) where
 	toJSON' (AddJSONActionItemFields a) = object [ ("fields", toJSON' a) ]
-
-exceptionObject :: String -> String -> Maybe RawFilePath -> Object
-exceptionObject eid msg mfile = case o of
-	Object o' -> o'
-	_ -> error "internal"
-  where
-	o = object
-		[ "exception" .= toJSON' eid
-		, "message" .= toJSON' msg
-		, "file" .= toJSON' (maybe "" decodeBS mfile)
-		]
diff --git a/Messages/Serialized.hs b/Messages/Serialized.hs
index 5924e10b4d..494df5aac5 100644
--- a/Messages/Serialized.hs
+++ b/Messages/Serialized.hs
@@ -58,9 +58,6 @@ relaySerializedOutput getso sendsor meterreport runannex = go Nothing
 		Left (OutputError msg) -> do
 			runannex $ outputError id $ UnquotedString msg
 			loop st		
-		Left (OutputException eid mfile msg) -> do
-			runannex $ outputException eid mfile $ UnquotedString msg
-			loop st
 		Left (JSONObject b) -> do
 			runannex $ withMessageState $ \s -> case outputType s of
 				JSONOutput _ -> liftIO $ flushed $ JSON.emit' b
diff --git a/Types/Messages.hs b/Types/Messages.hs
index 7a957a263e..e80dc86d63 100644
--- a/Types/Messages.hs
+++ b/Types/Messages.hs
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ module Types.Messages where
 
 import qualified Utility.Aeson as Aeson
 import Utility.Metered
-import Utility.RawFilePath
 
 import Control.Concurrent
 import System.Console.Regions (ConsoleRegion)
@@ -27,7 +26,6 @@ data OutputType
 data JSONOptions = JSONOptions
 	{ jsonProgress :: Bool
 	, jsonErrorMessages :: Bool
-	, jsonExceptions :: Bool
 	}
 	deriving (Show)
 
@@ -35,7 +33,6 @@ adjustOutputType :: OutputType -> OutputType -> OutputType
 adjustOutputType (JSONOutput old) (JSONOutput new) = JSONOutput $ JSONOptions
 	{ jsonProgress = jsonProgress old || jsonProgress new
 	, jsonErrorMessages = jsonErrorMessages old || jsonErrorMessages new
-	, jsonExceptions = jsonExceptions old || jsonExceptions new
 	}
 adjustOutputType _old new = new
 
@@ -73,7 +70,6 @@ newMessageState = do
 data SerializedOutput
 	= OutputMessage S.ByteString
 	| OutputError String
-	| OutputException String (Maybe RawFilePath) String
 	| BeginProgressMeter
 	| UpdateProgressMeterTotalSize TotalSize
 	| UpdateProgressMeter BytesProcessed
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-add.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-add.mdwn
index d35d7d5a3a..7a1ad2c24e 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-add.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-add.mdwn
@@ -84,8 +84,7 @@ annexed content, and other symlinks.
 * `--json`
 
   Enable JSON output. This is intended to be parsed by programs that use
-  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object corresponding to a file
-  being processed.
+  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object.
 
 * `--json-progress`
 
@@ -93,13 +92,8 @@ annexed content, and other symlinks.
 
 * `--json-error-messages`
 
-  Adds an "error-messages" field to the JSON that contains messages that
-  would normally be output to the standard error when processing a file.
-
-* `--json-exceptions`
-
-  Output additional JSON objects for some exceptions that are not
-  associated with a particular file.
+  Messages that would normally be output to standard error are included in
+  the JSON instead.
 
 * `--batch`
 
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-addurl.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-addurl.mdwn
index 3e7e0de850..02864cebc6 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-addurl.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-addurl.mdwn
@@ -125,8 +125,7 @@ be used to get better filenames.
 * `--json`
 
   Enable JSON output. This is intended to be parsed by programs that use
-  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object corresponding to an url
-  being processed.
+  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object.
 
 * `--json-progress`
 
@@ -134,13 +133,8 @@ be used to get better filenames.
 
 * `--json-error-messages`
 
-  Adds an "error-messages" field to the JSON that contains messages that
-  would normally be output to the standard error when processing an url.
-
-* `--json-exceptions`
-
-  Output additional JSON objects for some exceptions that are not
-  associated with a particular url.
+  Messages that would normally be output to standard error are included in
+  the JSON instead.
 
 * `--backend`
 
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-copy.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-copy.mdwn
index 9c95646076..57905b672c 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-copy.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-copy.mdwn
@@ -112,11 +112,11 @@ Paths of files or directories to operate on can be specified.
 * `-z`
 
   Makes batch input be delimited by nulls instead of the usual newlines.
+
 * `--json`
 
   Enable JSON output. This is intended to be parsed by programs that use
-  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object corresponding to a file
-  being processed.
+  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object.
 
 * `--json-progress`
 
@@ -124,13 +124,8 @@ Paths of files or directories to operate on can be specified.
 
 * `--json-error-messages`
 
-  Adds an "error-messages" field to the JSON that contains messages that
-  would normally be output to the standard error when processing a file.
-
-* `--json-exceptions`
-
-  Output additional JSON objects for some exceptions that are not
-  associated with a particular file.
+  Messages that would normally be output to standard error are included in
+  the JSON instead.
 
 * Also the [[git-annex-common-options]](1) can be used.
 
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-drop.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-drop.mdwn
index 547cdd08f6..aa66696958 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-drop.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-drop.mdwn
@@ -126,18 +126,12 @@ Paths of files or directories to drop can be specified.
 * `--json`
 
   Enable JSON output. This is intended to be parsed by programs that use
-  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object corresponding to a file
-  being processed.
+  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object.
 
 * `--json-error-messages`
 
-  Adds an "error-messages" field to the JSON that contains messages that
-  would normally be output to the standard error when processing a file.
-
-* `--json-exceptions`
-
-  Output additional JSON objects for some exceptions that are not
-  associated with a particular file.
+  Messages that would normally be output to standard error are included in
+  the JSON instead.
 
 * Also the [[git-annex-common-options]](1) can be used.
 
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-dropkey.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-dropkey.mdwn
index 02a11876ac..1b0ba61ac2 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-dropkey.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-dropkey.mdwn
@@ -27,19 +27,12 @@ exist; using it can easily result in data loss.
 * `--json`
 
   Enable JSON output. This is intended to be parsed by programs that use
-  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object corresponding to a key
-  being processed.
+  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object.
 
 * `--json-error-messages`
 
-  Adds an "error-messages" field to the JSON that contains messages that
-  would normally be output to the standard error when processing a key.
-
-* `--json-exceptions`
-
-  Output additional JSON objects for some exceptions that are not
-  associated with a particular key.
-
+  Messages that would normally be output to standard error are included in
+  the JSON instead.
 
 * Also the [[git-annex-common-options]](1) can be used.
 
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-examinekey.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-examinekey.mdwn
index 4a7ef68a45..4c3e1b304c 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-examinekey.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-examinekey.mdwn
@@ -40,18 +40,12 @@ that can be determined purely by looking at the key.
 * `--json`
 
   Enable JSON output. This is intended to be parsed by programs that use
-  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object corresponding to a key
-  being processed.
+  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object.
 
 * `--json-error-messages`
 
-  Adds an "error-messages" field to the JSON that contains messages that
-  would normally be output to the standard error when processing a key.
-
-* `--json-exceptions`
-
-  Output additional JSON objects for some exceptions that are not
-  associated with a particular key.
+  Messages that would normally be output to standard error are included in
+  the JSON instead.
 
 * `--migrate-to-backend=backend`
 
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-export.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-export.mdwn
index 7d781a071d..738e7fbf3c 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-export.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-export.mdwn
@@ -102,8 +102,7 @@ so the overwritten modification is not lost.)
 * `--json`
 
   Enable JSON output. This is intended to be parsed by programs that use
-  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object corresponding to a file
-  being processed.
+  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object.
 
 * `--json-progress`
 
@@ -111,13 +110,8 @@ so the overwritten modification is not lost.)
 
 * `--json-error-messages`
 
-  Adds an "error-messages" field to the JSON that contains messages that
-  would normally be output to the standard error when processing a file.
-
-* `--json-exceptions`
-
-  Output additional JSON objects for some exceptions that are not
-  associated with a particular file.
+  Messages that would normally be output to standard error are included in
+  the JSON instead.
 
 * Also the [[git-annex-common-options]](1) can be used.
 
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-find.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-find.mdwn
index 2abcbac7b2..7a667d4672 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-find.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-find.mdwn
@@ -55,19 +55,15 @@ finds files in the current directory and its subdirectories.
 
 * `--json`
 
-  Enable JSON output. This is intended to be parsed by programs that use
-  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object corresponding to a file
-  being processed.
+  Output the list of files in JSON format.
+
+  This is intended to be parsed by programs that use
+  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object.
 
 * `--json-error-messages`
 
-  Adds an "error-messages" field to the JSON that contains messages that
-  would normally be output to the standard error when processing a file.
-
-* `--json-exceptions`
-
-  Output additional JSON objects for some exceptions that are not
-  associated with a particular file.
+  Messages that would normally be output to standard error are included in
+  the JSON instead.
 
 * `--batch`
 
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-findkeys.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-findkeys.mdwn
index 4e62174592..ac1b16d067 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-findkeys.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-findkeys.mdwn
@@ -50,19 +50,15 @@ Outputs a list of keys known to git-annex.
 
 * `--json`
 
-  Enable JSON output. This is intended to be parsed by programs that use
-  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object corresponding to a key
-  being processed.
+  Output the list of keys in JSON format.
+
+  This is intended to be parsed by programs that use
+  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object.
 
 * `--json-error-messages`
 
-  Adds an "error-messages" field to the JSON that contains messages that
-  would normally be output to the standard error when processing a key.
-
-* `--json-exceptions`
-
-  Output additional JSON objects for some exceptions that are not
-  associated with a particular key.
+  Messages that would normally be output to standard error are included in
+  the JSON instead.
 
 * Also the [[git-annex-common-options]](1) can be used.
 
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-fsck.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-fsck.mdwn
index a46e0d7cfd..4083ba4bf1 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-fsck.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-fsck.mdwn
@@ -103,18 +103,12 @@ better format.
 * `--json`
 
   Enable JSON output. This is intended to be parsed by programs that use
-  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object corresponding to a file
-  being processed.
+  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object.
 
 * `--json-error-messages`
 
-  Adds an "error-messages" field to the JSON that contains messages that
-  would normally be output to the standard error when processing a file.
-
-* `--json-exceptions`
-
-  Output additional JSON objects for some exceptions that are not
-  associated with a particular file.
+  Messages that would normally be output to standard error are included in
+  the JSON instead.
 
 * `--quiet`
 
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-get.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-get.mdwn
index 9afbdfb22a..208188171f 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-get.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-get.mdwn
@@ -126,8 +126,7 @@ be specified.
 * `--json`
 
   Enable JSON output. This is intended to be parsed by programs that use
-  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object corresponding to a file
-  being processed.
+  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object.
 
 * `--json-progress`
 
@@ -135,13 +134,8 @@ be specified.
 
 * `--json-error-messages`
 
-  Adds an "error-messages" field to the JSON that contains messages that
-  would normally be output to the standard error when processing a file.
-
-* `--json-exceptions`
-
-  Output additional JSON objects for some exceptions that are not
-  associated with a particular file.
+  Messages that would normally be output to standard error are included in
+  the JSON instead.
 
 * Also the [[git-annex-common-options]](1) can be used.
 
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-import.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-import.mdwn
index 704a903fc9..8d56d82270 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-import.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-import.mdwn
@@ -202,8 +202,7 @@ link, and that symbolic link will be followed.
 * `--json`
 
   Enable JSON output. This is intended to be parsed by programs that use
-  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object corresponding to a file
-  being processed.
+  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object.
 
 * `--json-progress`
 
@@ -211,13 +210,8 @@ link, and that symbolic link will be followed.
 
 * `--json-error-messages`
 
-  Adds an "error-messages" field to the JSON that contains messages that
-  would normally be output to the standard error when processing a file.
-
-* `--json-exceptions`
-
-  Output additional JSON objects for some exceptions that are not
-  associated with a particular file.
+  Messages that would normally be output to standard error are included in
+  the JSON instead.
 
 * Also the [[git-annex-common-options]](1) can be used.
 
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-info.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-info.mdwn
index b5b7871cf8..9a2256b491 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-info.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-info.mdwn
@@ -24,18 +24,12 @@ for the local repository and all annexed content.
 * `--json`
 
   Enable JSON output. This is intended to be parsed by programs that use
-  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object corresponding to a item
-  being processed.
+  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object.
 
 * `--json-error-messages`
 
-  Adds an "error-messages" field to the JSON that contains messages that
-  would normally be output to the standard error when processing a item.
-
-* `--json-exceptions`
-
-  Output additional JSON objects for some exceptions that are not
-  associated with a particular item.
+  Messages that would normally be output to standard error are included in
+  the JSON instead.
 
 * `--bytes`
 
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-lock.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-lock.mdwn
index f83171b004..3e360db41c 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-lock.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-lock.mdwn
@@ -26,18 +26,12 @@ can commit.
 * `--json`
 
   Enable JSON output. This is intended to be parsed by programs that use
-  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object corresponding to a file
-  being processed.
+  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object.
 
 * `--json-error-messages`
 
-  Adds an "error-messages" field to the JSON that contains messages that
-  would normally be output to the standard error when processing a file.
-
-* `--json-exceptions`
-
-  Output additional JSON objects for some exceptions that are not
-  associated with a particular file.
+  Messages that would normally be output to standard error are included in
+  the JSON instead.
 
 * Also the [[git-annex-common-options]](1) can be used.
 
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-metadata.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-metadata.mdwn
index e8ef9dd5af..9eb6ebf3aa 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-metadata.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-metadata.mdwn
@@ -119,16 +119,6 @@ the modified file.
 
 	{"command":"metadata","file":"foo","key":"...","author":["bar"],...,"note":"...","success":true}
 
-* `--json-error-messages`
-
-  Adds an "error-messages" field to the JSON that contains messages that
-  would normally be output to the standard error when processing a file.
-
-* `--json-exceptions`
-
-  Output additional JSON objects for some exceptions that are not
-  associated with a particular file.
-
 * `--json-error-messages`
 
   Messages that would normally be output to standard error are included in
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-mirror.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-mirror.mdwn
index 546aa42c72..3dfb9aa938 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-mirror.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-mirror.mdwn
@@ -71,8 +71,7 @@ contents. Use [[git-annex-sync]](1) for that.
 * `--json`
 
   Enable JSON output. This is intended to be parsed by programs that use
-  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object corresponding to a file
-  being processed.
+  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object.
 
 * `--json-progress`
 
@@ -80,13 +79,8 @@ contents. Use [[git-annex-sync]](1) for that.
 
 * `--json-error-messages`
 
-  Adds an "error-messages" field to the JSON that contains messages that
-  would normally be output to the standard error when processing a file.
-
-* `--json-exceptions`
-
-  Output additional JSON objects for some exceptions that are not
-  associated with a particular file.
+  Messages that would normally be output to standard error are included in
+  the JSON instead.
 
 * Also the [[git-annex-common-options]](1) can be used.
 
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-move.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-move.mdwn
index 0d167920b2..b30163c891 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-move.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-move.mdwn
@@ -111,8 +111,7 @@ Paths of files or directories to operate on can be specified.
 * `--json`
 
   Enable JSON output. This is intended to be parsed by programs that use
-  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object corresponding to a file
-  being processed.
+  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object.
 
 * `--json-progress`
 
@@ -120,13 +119,8 @@ Paths of files or directories to operate on can be specified.
 
 * `--json-error-messages`
 
-  Adds an "error-messages" field to the JSON that contains messages that
-  would normally be output to the standard error when processing a file.
-
-* `--json-exceptions`
-
-  Output additional JSON objects for some exceptions that are not
-  associated with a particular file.
+  Messages that would normally be output to standard error are included in
+  the JSON instead.
 
 * Also the [[git-annex-common-options]](1) can be used.
 
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-registerurl.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-registerurl.mdwn
index 06ad999bc6..753d06b704 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-registerurl.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-registerurl.mdwn
@@ -51,19 +51,12 @@ special remote that claims it. (Usually the web special remote.)
 * `--json`
 
   Enable JSON output. This is intended to be parsed by programs that use
-  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object corresponding to a key
-  being processed.
+  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object.
 
 * `--json-error-messages`
 
-  Adds an "error-messages" field to the JSON that contains messages that
-  would normally be output to the standard error when processing a key.
-
-* `--json-exceptions`
-
-  Output additional JSON objects for some exceptions that are not
-  associated with a particular key.
-
+  Messages that would normally be output to standard error are included in
+  the JSON instead.
 
 * Also the [[git-annex-common-options]](1) can be used.
 
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-status.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-status.mdwn
index 469292508c..962fda51d4 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-status.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-status.mdwn
@@ -24,17 +24,12 @@ modified (M), added but not committed (A), and type changed/unlocked (T).
 * `--json`
 
   Enable JSON output. This is intended to be parsed by programs that use
-  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object corresponding to a file.
+  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object.
 
 * `--json-error-messages`
 
-  Adds an "error-messages" field to the JSON that contains messages that
-  would normally be output to the standard error when processing a file.
-
-* `--json-exceptions`
-
-  Output additional JSON objects for some exceptions that are not
-  associated with a particular file.
+  Messages that would normally be output to standard error are included in
+  the JSON instead.
 
 * Also the [[git-annex-common-options]](1) can be used.
 
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-unlock.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-unlock.mdwn
index 4fcf6d1df3..1a2bd32596 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-unlock.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-unlock.mdwn
@@ -53,19 +53,12 @@ repository. So, enable annex.thin with care.
 * `--json`
 
   Enable JSON output. This is intended to be parsed by programs that use
-  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object corresponding to a file
-  being processed.
+  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object.
 
 * `--json-error-messages`
 
-  Adds an "error-messages" field to the JSON that contains messages that
-  would normally be output to the standard error when processing a file.
-
-* `--json-exceptions`
-
-  Output additional JSON objects for some exceptions that are not
-  associated with a particular file.
-
+  Messages that would normally be output to standard error are included in
+  the JSON instead.
 
 * Also the [[git-annex-common-options]](1) can be used.
 
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-unregisterurl.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-unregisterurl.mdwn
index afc3f0af4d..ab535a73f6 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-unregisterurl.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-unregisterurl.mdwn
@@ -42,19 +42,12 @@ for it, because the content may still be present on the remote.
 * `--json`
 
   Enable JSON output. This is intended to be parsed by programs that use
-  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object corresponding to a key
-  being processed.
+  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object.
 
 * `--json-error-messages`
 
-  Adds an "error-messages" field to the JSON that contains messages that
-  would normally be output to the standard error when processing a key.
-
-* `--json-exceptions`
-
-  Output additional JSON objects for some exceptions that are not
-  associated with a particular key.
-
+  Messages that would normally be output to standard error are included in
+  the JSON instead.
 
 * Also the [[git-annex-common-options]](1) can be used.
 
diff --git a/doc/git-annex-whereis.mdwn b/doc/git-annex-whereis.mdwn
index 9375e0d8fb..84678709f0 100644
--- a/doc/git-annex-whereis.mdwn
+++ b/doc/git-annex-whereis.mdwn
@@ -71,18 +71,12 @@ received from remotes.
 * `--json`
 
   Enable JSON output. This is intended to be parsed by programs that use
-  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object corresponding to a file
-  being processed.
+  git-annex. Each line of output is a JSON object.
 
 * `--json-error-messages`
 
-  Adds an "error-messages" field to the JSON that contains messages that
-  would normally be output to the standard error when processing a file.
-
-* `--json-exceptions`
-
-  Output additional JSON objects for some exceptions that are not
-  associated with a particular file.
+  Messages that would normally be output to standard error are included in
+  the JSON instead.
 
 * `--format=value`
 
diff --git a/doc/todo/api_for_telling_when_nonexistant_or_non_git_files_passed/comment_3_3f0872f13160a77a82bd5a95fc3f397d._comment b/doc/todo/api_for_telling_when_nonexistant_or_non_git_files_passed/comment_3_3f0872f13160a77a82bd5a95fc3f397d._comment
index f6e1861bdd..b48dd361f7 100644
--- a/doc/todo/api_for_telling_when_nonexistant_or_non_git_files_passed/comment_3_3f0872f13160a77a82bd5a95fc3f397d._comment
+++ b/doc/todo/api_for_telling_when_nonexistant_or_non_git_files_passed/comment_3_3f0872f13160a77a82bd5a95fc3f397d._comment
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ bpoldrack makes a good point
 
 So eg:
 
-	{"exception":"UNIQUEID", "file":"foo", "message":"foo not found"}
+	{"exception":"UNIQUEID", "file":"foo", "error-messages":["foo not found"]}
 
 That seems about right to me, and it future proofs git-annex to be able to
 report other exceptions in json output later on.
diff --git a/doc/todo/api_for_telling_when_nonexistant_or_non_git_files_passed/comment_5_105453fbbe7361f3d409ab87079a8a41._comment b/doc/todo/api_for_telling_when_nonexistant_or_non_git_files_passed/comment_5_105453fbbe7361f3d409ab87079a8a41._comment
deleted file mode 100644
index 160cf54314..0000000000
--- a/doc/todo/api_for_telling_when_nonexistant_or_non_git_files_passed/comment_5_105453fbbe7361f3d409ab87079a8a41._comment
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,24 +0,0 @@
-[[!comment format=mdwn
- username="joey"
- subject="""comment 5"""
- date="2023-04-25T18:43:20Z"
- content="""
-I've implemented --json-exceptions:
-
-	joey@darkstar:~/tmp/xxx>git-annex add dne --json-exceptions
-	{"exception":"FileNotFound","file":"dne","message":"git-annex: dne not found\n"}
-	add: 1 failed
-
-Note that when a command like `git-annex get` is run on a file that exists,
-but is not checked into git, `git ls-files` still displays its own error message,
-so --json-exceptions doesn't help with this:
-
-	joey@darkstar:~/tmp/xxx>touch foo
-	joey@darkstar:~/tmp/xxx>git-annex get foo --json-exceptions
-	error: pathspec 'foo' did not match any file(s) known to git
-	Did you forget to 'git add'?
-	get: 1 failed
-
-Datalad will still have to parse the git output if it wants to know what file
-it failed on in that case.
-"""]]
diff --git a/doc/todo/api_for_telling_when_nonexistant_or_non_git_files_passed/comment_8_f34293aa30b8b9abc71fac4e713aded3._comment b/doc/todo/api_for_telling_when_nonexistant_or_non_git_files_passed/comment_8_f34293aa30b8b9abc71fac4e713aded3._comment
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1bec987de0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/todo/api_for_telling_when_nonexistant_or_non_git_files_passed/comment_8_f34293aa30b8b9abc71fac4e713aded3._comment
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+[[!comment format=mdwn
+ username="joey"
+ subject="""Re: comment 6"""
+ date="2023-04-25T21:10:21Z"
+ content="""
+Oh well spotted yarikoptic! I wish I had noticed your comment 2 hours ago,
+but I was head down implementing --json-exceptions.
+
+Ok, so `addurl` does `giveup "bad url"` and that does indeed result in json
+output that lacks a `key` and has `"file":null` as well.
+
+I'm sure that somewhere in `git-annex add`, it's possible for it to
+`giveup` with an error too. Oh of course... a device file!
+
+	joey@darkstar:/home/joey/tmp/xxx>git-annex add --force-small null --json --json-error-messages
+	{"command":"add","error-messages":["git-annex: null is not a regular file"],"file":"null","input":["null"],"note":"adding content to git repository","success":false}
+	add: 1 failed
+
+Other perhaps more likely cases where add can `giveup` include when it's unable
+to remove all write perms due to an xattr, and probably some permissions
+problems.
+
+So, json consumers of add already have to deal with the `key` being missing.
+
+Now, it might be that some git-annex commands don't `giveup`, so this would be
+a new complication for consumers of their json. But so would adding a `giveup`
+for any reason to a command, and I don't worry about that.
+
+While I've implemented --json-exceptions, I don't like the complexity, so this new
+information inclines me to rip it back out and instead handle the case of the
+nonexistant file like:
+
+	{"command":"add","exception":"UNIQUEID","file":"foo","input":["foo"],"error-messages":["foo not found"],"success":false}
+"""]]