Root-cause a bug, don't patch symptoms
Model notes: Strong reasoning model recommended
Fill in the variables (optional — they're inserted live below):
Help me find the root cause of this bug. Don't propose a fix until we've confirmed the cause.
What I expected: {{expected}}
What happened: {{actual}}
Steps to reproduce: {{steps}}
Error / logs:
```
{{error_output}}
```
Relevant code: {{code_or_files}}
Process:
1. List 3-5 plausible hypotheses, ranked by likelihood, each with the evidence for and against.
2. For the top hypothesis, give me the single quickest experiment (log line, breakpoint, command) to confirm or rule it out.
3. Wait for my result before continuing.
How to use it
- Fill the variables above, or replace each
{{variable}}after pasting. - Paste into your AI tool (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Cursor, Claude Code, or a local model in Ollama/LM Studio).
- Review the output. Models make mistakes, especially with facts, numbers and code.
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More Debugging prompts
Debugging
Explain this error like I'm new to the stack
Fine on small local models (7B+)
Variables: error_messagelanguage_or_framework
Explain this error message in plain English:
```
{{error_message}}
```
Context: I'm using {{language_or_framework}}.
Tell me: what it literally means, the 3 most common causes, how to check which one applies to me, and the usual fix for each. Keep it under 250 words. Explain this error message in plain English:
```
{{error_message}}
```
Context: I'm using {{language_or_framework}}.
Tell me: what it literally means, the 3 most common causes, how to check which one applies to me, and the usual fix for each. Keep it under 250 words.
Open & fill variables → Debugging
Stack trace triage
Paste the full trace, not a screenshot
Variables: languagestack_trace
Here is a stack trace from {{language}}:
```
{{stack_trace}}
```
1. Identify the frame where the error originates in MY code (not library code) and explain why that's the likely culprit.
2. Explain the chain of calls that led there.
3. List what information is missing to be sure (variable values, inputs).
4. Suggest the exact log statements to add, with file and line, to capture that information. Here is a stack trace from {{language}}:
```
{{stack_trace}}
```
1. Identify the frame where the error originates in MY code (not library code) and explain why that's the likely culprit.
2. Explain the chain of calls that led there.
3. List what information is missing to be sure (variable values, inputs).
4. Suggest the exact log statements to add, with file and line, to capture that information.
Open & fill variables → Debugging
Works locally, fails in production
Any model
Variables: environmentsymptomlocal_setupprod_setuplogs
My app works locally but fails in {{environment}}.
Symptom: {{symptom}}
Local setup: {{local_setup}}
Production setup: {{prod_setup}}
Logs from production: {{logs}}
Walk through the usual local-vs-prod differences one by one (env vars, build mode, file paths and case sensitivity, network/CORS, timeouts, memory, dependency versions, time zones, permissions, caching/CDN) and for each say whether it fits my symptom and how to check it. Finish with the top 3 suspects. My app works locally but fails in {{environment}}.
Symptom: {{symptom}}
Local setup: {{local_setup}}
Production setup: {{prod_setup}}
Logs from production: {{logs}}
Walk through the usual local-vs-prod differences one by one (env vars, build mode, file paths and case sensitivity, network/CORS, timeouts, memory, dependency versions, time zones, permissions, caching/CDN) and for each say whether it fits my symptom and how to check it. Finish with the top 3 suspects.
Open & fill variables → New prompts every week
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