Metadata Problem with Project "Quick Start: Unlocked Packages"

On module #2 "Create, Test, and Deploy Your Unlocked Package", Step 4,  you are asked to create a new package version for the GIFter aura component (which breaks up in chatter BTW).

CLI returns: "ERROR running force:package:version:create:  GIFter: The 'SearchGIPHY' component instance doesn't have an identifier specified."

Note that I updated the API Version on the GIT package to 54, as advised.

Workaround:

I went into flexipages, GIFter.flexipage-meta.xml;  

Added an <identifier> tag just above <componentName>.  

Assigned it a random ID [OHoIYXXXXXXXXXX] ...hint :the previously generated package ID 

re-executed "sfdx force:package:version:create...."

This seemed to work. Though it shouldn't have, as that ID doesn't even belong to a flexipage.

#Trailhead

Any advise?

Thanks

RSM-SFDC