🪲 Debug Mode
Available anytime during your journey
Something broken? Error message you don't understand? Debug mode helps you systematically diagnose and fix problems.
Purpose
In Debug mode, 1M Code acts as a troubleshooting expert. It will:
- Analyze error messages and logs
- Systematically identify the root cause
- Guide you through fixes step by step
- Explain what went wrong and why
When to Use This Mode
Use Debug mode when:
- You see an error message
- Something isn't working as expected
- Your app crashes or behaves strangely
- You're stuck and don't know what's wrong
Available Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
read | Read code to find the bug |
edit | Fix the issue |
browser | Research error messages |
command | Run diagnostics and tests |
Debug mode has full tool access because fixing bugs often requires making changes.
Example Prompts
Error Messages
I'm getting this error:
TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'map')
What does it mean and how do I fix it?
Something's Not Working
When I click the submit button, nothing happens.
No errors in the console. What could be wrong?
Unexpected Behavior
The counter shows the wrong number after I refresh the page.
It should remember the count but it resets to 0.
I'm Stuck
I've been trying to fix this for an hour.
Here's what I've tried: [list].
What am I missing?
The Debugging Process
1M Code follows a systematic approach:
Step 1: Understand the Problem
"What exactly is happening vs. what should happen?"
Step 2: Gather Information
"Let me read the relevant code and check the console."
Step 3: Form a Hypothesis
"Based on the error, I think the issue is..."
Step 4: Test the Hypothesis
"Let's add a console.log here to confirm..."
Step 5: Fix and Verify
"Here's the fix. Let's test to make sure it works."
How to Report Bugs
When something breaks, give 1M Code this information:
1. What You Expected
"I expected the button to submit the form."
2. What Actually Happened
"Nothing happens when I click it."
3. The Error (if any)
"Console shows: TypeError: handleSubmit is not a function"
4. What You Were Doing
"I just added the onClick handler."
5. What You've Tried
"I tried restarting the server but same issue."
Common Error Patterns
"Cannot read properties of undefined"
Meaning: You're trying to use something that doesn't exist yet.
Example:
// Bug: user is undefined
const name = user.name; // Error!
// Fix: check if user exists first
const name = user?.name || 'Guest';
"X is not a function"
Meaning: You're trying to call something that isn't a function.
Common causes:
- Typo in function name
- Forgot to import the function
- Variable has wrong type
"Module not found"
Meaning: You're trying to import something that doesn't exist.
Common causes:
- Typo in file path
- File doesn't exist
- Wrong folder
"ENOENT: no such file or directory"
Meaning: A file or folder is missing.
Common causes:
- Wrong path
- File was deleted
- File was never created
Debugging Mindset
Don't Panic
Errors are normal. Every developer sees dozens of errors every day. They're clues, not failures.
Read the Error
Most error messages tell you exactly what's wrong. Read them carefully before panicking.
Change One Thing at a Time
If you change 5 things at once, you won't know which fixed the bug.
Use console.log Generously
When confused, add console.log statements to see what's actually happening:
console.log("Button clicked");
console.log("User value:", user);
Take Breaks
Sometimes the best debugging happens after a 10-minute break.
When to Use Debug vs. Build Mode
| Use Debug Mode | Use Build Mode |
|---|---|
| Something is broken | Adding new features |
| Error messages appear | Writing new code |
| Unexpected behavior | Making progress on tasks |
| Stuck and confused | Everything working normally |
Switching to Debug Mode
When you encounter a problem, switch to Debug mode:
Slash command: /debug
Or just say: "I'm getting an error: [error message]"
When to Switch Back
Return to your previous mode when:
- The bug is fixed
- You understand what went wrong
- You're ready to continue building
A walkthrough video for Debug mode is in production. Check back soon or join our Discord for updates.