Fix your tools
Hacker News
February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Last week, a programmer faced a frustrating bug in an open-source library they maintained. Despite their best efforts to diagnose the issue using a debugger, they encountered a roadblock when their breakpoint was ignored, leaving them puzzled and less effective in their troubleshooting. The key realization came when they stepped back and realized that fixing their tool—debugger—was crucial before they could effectively solve the problem at hand. After addressing the debugger configuration issue, they gained the clarity needed to resolve the bug efficiently. This experience highlights the importance of maintaining and improving our tools as a fundamental step in enhancing productivity and problem-solving capabilities.
The programmer initially focused solely on fixing the bug but overlooked the fact that their tool wasn't functioning properly. They tried alternative approaches, such as adding logs, which didn’t yield the desired insights. It wasn’t until they addressed the debugger issue—a simple one-line configuration change—that they could observe the program’s behavior more effectively. This process underscores how tunnel vision can lead us to overlook essential steps in our workflow. By investing time into ensuring tools are reliable and functioning as intended, we can avoid unnecessary frustration and inefficiency.
This story serves as a valuable reminder for developers and tech professionals: fixing your tools is often the first step toward solving problems more effectively. The programmer’s experience demonstrates that without proper tools, even the most skilled troubleshooters can become stuck. By prioritizing tool maintenance and optimization, we not only save time but also enhance our ability to diagnose and resolve issues with greater accuracy. This approach is particularly relevant in tech, where efficiency and productivity are critical for delivering quality work.
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Originally published on Hacker News on 2/22/2026