2026 TROUBLESHOOTING

# Debugging in the Vibe Coding Era: What to do when the AI Hallucinates

"In 2026, we don't debug line by line; we debug 'Context by Context.' When the AI loses the vibe, your job is to find the exact point where the intent and execution diverged."

## 1. Why Traditional Debugging is Dying

Traditionally, debugging involved setting breakpoints and watching variables. In the Vibe Coding era of 2026, the code is generated so fast that manual line-by-line inspection is impossible. The challenge has shifted from "Syntax Errors" to "Intent Hallucinations."

An Intent Hallucination occurs when the AI builds something that *looks* correct but violates a business rule or uses a deprecated internal API that it "guessed" incorrectly.

## Strategies for Vibe Verification

#### The "Log-First" Prompt

When code fails, don't ask the AI to 'fix it.' Ask it to 'Add detailed logging to this flow so I can see the data at every step.' Once you see the logs, the fix becomes obvious.

#### Time-Travel with Replay

Use tools like Replay.io to record a session of your app. You can then feed the recording back to your AI editor (Cursor/Windsurf), and it will 'see' the crash exactly as it happened.

## 2. The 2026 Developer's Safety Net

In Bangalore's high-pressure tech firms, a "vibe" that breaks production can end a career. To stay safe, follow these Verification Habits:

- 01 Always run "Vibe Tests": Ask the AI to write unit tests for the code it just generated.
- 02 Use "Shadow Prompts": Ask a second AI to review the code generated by the first one for logic flaws.

### Become an AI-Native Architect

Debugging is only easy if you have a strong architectural foundation. To see the full list of skills required to master this new era, check out our:

Full Vibe Coding Roadmap →