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DebuggingWorking With AI Tools12 min lesson

Debug This Without Thrashing

Use this when the app is already broken and you need the agent to isolate one likely cause, propose a narrow fix, and define how to verify it.

ai-toolsworkflowsdebuggingtroubleshooting
Copy-ready prompt
"Help me debug this issue systematically.
Feature: [what is broken]
Error or symptom: [full message or precise symptom]
Expected behavior: [what should happen]
Actual behavior: [what happens instead]
Steps to reproduce: [exact steps]
Relevant code: [paste code]
What I've already tried: [list]

First tell me the likely root causes in order.
Then give me the smallest fix to test first.
After that, tell me how I should verify the fix and what related areas I should retest."

Prompt FAQ

Questions to answer before you paste it

When should I use the Debug This Without Thrashing prompt?

Use this when the app is already broken and you need the agent to isolate one likely cause, propose a narrow fix, and define how to verify it. Use it when you need a safer starting point than a blank prompt and you want the agent to stay inside explicit constraints.

Should I paste this prompt exactly as written?

No. Treat it as a safe starter. Replace the task, files, constraints, and verification details with your actual context before you run it.

What should I do after the agent answers?

Read the diff, run the checks, and stop after one reviewable step. If you need deeper context, open the lesson that explains the reasoning behind the prompt.

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