Debugging is more than code
When people hear "debugging" they usually think of programming errors. But Claude is equally useful for finding flaws in argumentation, logical gaps in a plan, weaknesses in a text or problems in a workflow.
Debugging code
✅ Effective code debugging prompt:
"I have an error in this PHP code. Here is the code: [paste code]. Here is the error message: [paste error]. Here is what I expect to happen: [describe]. What is wrong and how do I fix it?"
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Always paste the full error message — not just the first lines. Stack traces often contain the crucial information at the bottom.
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Describe expected vs. actual behaviour — "I expect X but get Y" is far more useful than just "it does not work".
Rubber duck debugging — with AI
💡 Try this:
"I am going to explain what this code does, line by line. Let me know if you see anything that does not match what I expect." — Then explain your code as if Claude cannot see it.
Preventive debugging
✅ Code review before production:
"Review this code before I put it into production. Look for potential errors, security issues and edge cases I have not handled."
"The best debugger is not the one who finds the error fastest — it is the one who understands why the error occurred."
— On depth in debugging