Today at work, I experienced a real a-ha! moment.
I discovered a surprisingly effective way to use AI to support my debugging process — especially when following my own step-by-step guides.

As a developer, I often create detailed instructions for how to fix recurring bugs or handle specific edge cases. But… I don’t always follow them perfectly. Why?
Because like many devs, I tend to think ahead, multitask, or mentally jump between issues — and sometimes, steps get skipped. 🤷‍♀️

So I tried something new:

🛠️ I fed two of my own bug-fixing guides into AI — instructions I had written for common problems I regularly face.
🤖 I asked the AI to become my “checkbot” — to walk me through each step, one by one, as if I were in a debugging simulation.
🎮 The idea was simple:
– AI asks what I would do next,
– I respond,
– If I forget or miss a step, AI gently points it out.
– If I get stuck, it explains what to do — but only then.

And the result? Incredibly helpful.

💡 Here’s what changed for me:
– I stayed more focused and avoided skipping steps.
– I actually learned the flow better by actively recalling it.
– I felt more confident, knowing I could catch small mistakes before they caused bigger issues.
– The whole process felt like a mix between code review and live pair programming — with a virtual buddy.

What I love most is that this isn’t about replacing my thinking.
It’s about supporting it, guiding it, and helping me stay present while solving complex problems — especially under pressure.

Because let’s be honest:
Fixing bugs can be stressful.
And when you’re tired, distracted, or jumping between tasks, it’s easy to miss something obvious.

That’s where AI really shines.

Imagine having a calm, knowledgeable debugging partner who always remembers the checklist — and never judges you for forgetting.
That’s what AI felt like today.

If you’re a software developer dealing with recurring bugs, long procedures, or just want to reinforce your debugging muscle memory, try this approach.
Feed your process into AI. Let it challenge you.
You might discover a new kind of focus — and fewer “oh no, I forgot that step” moments.

AI as your personal debugging coach?
Yes, please. 💻✨