Debugging the Debugger: Organizing Complex Code Contexts

As developers, we've all been there. You paste a 200-line stack trace into ChatGPT, followed by three different files of source code, and ask, "Why is this crashing?"

The AI gives you a solution. It doesn't work. You paste the new error. The conversation grows. Suddenly, you're scrolling up and down a 10,000-word chat log trying to find that one snippet of code the AI suggested five turns ago.

The Chaos of Linear Debugging

Standard chat interfaces are linear. But debugging is non-linear. You jump between the error, the potential cause, the proposed fix, and the documentation.

When you force a non-linear process into a linear interface, you lose context. You lose time. And frankly, you lose your patience.

A Better Way: Contextual Navigation

Chat Navigator treats your debugging session like an IDE, not a text message thread.

1. The Error Node: When you paste your stack trace, Chat Navigator identifies it. You can name this node "Initial Crash".
2. The Code Node: Your source code gets its own section.
3. The Fix Node: The AI's explanation is structured as a child node.

Now, instead of scrolling, you click. Need to see the original error again? Click "Initial Crash". Need to check the fix? Click "Proposed Solution".

Real-World Workflow

Imagine you're debugging a React hydration error.

• Step 1: Paste the console error. Chat Navigator tags this as "Error Log".
• Step 2: Paste your App.tsx. Chat Navigator tags this as "Source Code".
• Step 3: AI suggests a fix. Chat Navigator outlines the solution steps.

By keeping these contexts separate but accessible, you turn a chaotic scroll-fest into a structured debugging session. You're not just chatting with an AI; you're building a knowledge base for your bug.