Pathwise

Manuals / Bug Reporting & Advocacy / Chapter 2

A · Craft · beginner · Week 1 · Chapter 2 of 9

Repro steps that work

Numbered steps, starting state, test data, environment. If you can’t repro twice, say so — and what varies.

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Minimal path

Strip irrelevant clicks. One path, one bug.

Minimal pathDrag stickies · tap for tips
Study mapDrag stickies · tap for tipsKeep it shortdrag · tap →Name the waitdrag · tap →Scope locatorsdrag · tap →Trace when stuckdrag · tap →One browser firstdrag · tap →Isolate statedrag · tap →Assert the UIdrag · tap →Retry wiselydrag · tap →Seed datadrag · tap →Close the loopdrag · tap →Keep it shortdrag · tap →Name the waitdrag · tap →Scope locatorsdrag · tap →Trace when stuckdrag · tap →One browser firstdrag · tap →Isolate statedrag · tap →Pathwise hackdrag · tap →Minimal pathdrag · tap →Try thisdrag · tap →Follow the dashed drag · tap →

Example

Environment: staging, Chrome 128, user role X, build abc123
Preconditions: account with … / flag ON
Steps:
1. …
2. …
Expected: …
Actual: …
Frequency: 3/3 (or 1/5 — flake)

Do this now

Rewrite your weakest bug’s steps. Time a teammate reproducing.

Pro tip: Video helps; it does not replace steps.

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Chapter learning outcomes
  • Minimal repro
  • Starting state
  • Flake honesty

Clear these before you leave