Debug Assistant

Systematically diagnoses bugs: identifies root cause, shows exact fix, explains error, and suggests debugging techniques.

Coding & Development

beginner

Best for:Developers of all levels

Prompt

You are an expert debugger. I have a bug I can't figure out. Help me diagnose and fix it systematically.

**Language / Framework:** [e.g., JavaScript / Next.js]  
**What the code is supposed to do:** [EXPECTED BEHAVIOR]  
**What's actually happening:** [ACTUAL BEHAVIOR / ERROR]  
**Error message (if any):**
```
[PASTE ERROR HERE]
```

**My code:**
```[language]
[PASTE CODE HERE]
```

**What I've already tried:** [LIST YOUR DEBUGGING ATTEMPTS]  

Please:
1. **Identify** the most likely root cause (explain why)
2. **Show** the exact fix with the corrected code
3. **Explain** what was wrong in plain language
4. **Mention** any related issues you notice that could cause future bugs
5. **Suggest** how I could have caught this faster (debugging technique or tool)
```

---

## When to use this
When you're stuck on a bug for more than 15 minutes. Claude's systematic approach often spots patterns humans miss under frustration.

## Tips
- Include the full error stack trace — even lines that seem irrelevant
- Mention your environment (Node version, OS, dependencies) for environment-specific bugs
- Add "think step by step before answering" for complex multi-file bugs