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GPT3.5 MERN Debugging FirstPrinciples CheatSheet

This document provides a cheat sheet for debugging MERN stack applications using first principles thinking. It includes specific prompts for debugging React components, Node.js & Express backend, MongoDB & Mongoose issues, and deployment troubleshooting, along with best practices for each area. Additionally, it emphasizes learning from bugs by breaking them down logically to improve development skills.

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sidhukola28
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77 views3 pages

GPT3.5 MERN Debugging FirstPrinciples CheatSheet

This document provides a cheat sheet for debugging MERN stack applications using first principles thinking. It includes specific prompts for debugging React components, Node.js & Express backend, MongoDB & Mongoose issues, and deployment troubleshooting, along with best practices for each area. Additionally, it emphasizes learning from bugs by breaking them down logically to improve development skills.

Uploaded by

sidhukola28
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GPT-3.

5 Prompt Cheat Sheet for Debugging MERN Stack Using First Principles

1. First Principles Thinking Approach

Break the problem into its fundamental parts:

- What exactly is failing? (e.g., UI not rendering, API not responding)

- What does each part of the MERN stack do in this flow?

- What assumptions might be wrong in my logic or implementation?

Prompt:

"Help me debug a MERN stack app using first principles thinking. I have a [describe bug]. Explain what might

go wrong in React, Node.js, Express, or MongoDB in such a case."

2. Debugging React Components

Prompt:

"I'm building a React component to [brief functionality]. It's not rendering/working correctly. Here is my code

[insert code]. Help debug it and explain what might be going wrong step-by-step."

Best Practices:

- Ask for state flow explanation

- Check prop drilling issues

- Ask to optimize useEffect or conditional rendering

3. Debugging Node.js & Express Backend

Prompt:

"My Express route for [describe API route] is returning an error or not hitting the database. Here's the code:
[insert route + model]. Help debug and walk me through possible problems."

Best Practices:

- Confirm middleware and routing order

- Ask GPT to simulate API call logic

- Validate schema and DB connection

4. MongoDB & Mongoose Issues

Prompt:

"I'm using Mongoose to [insert action like save, update, populate], but it's not working as expected. Here's the

model + query code. Help debug and explain what may be causing the issue."

Best Practices:

- Always show model + query code

- Ask about schema validation or ObjectId errors

- Confirm database connection and collection

5. Deployment Troubleshooting (Render/Netlify)

Prompt:

"My MERN app is throwing CORS error / ENV issue / not connecting with frontend after deployment. Here's

my setup description. Help debug and give deployment checklist."

Best Practices:

- Ask for deployment logs interpretation

- Include full .env, CORS config, and build steps

- Debug frontend-backend communication post-deploy


6. General Debug Prompt Template

Prompt:

"I'm getting an error while building [describe feature]. Here's the relevant code and error message: [insert

here]. Please help me debug it step-by-step using MERN stack knowledge."

7. Learning From Bugs with First Principles

Prompt:

"Break down this bug/error logically from scratch. Explain what assumptions may be wrong and how I can

learn from this to become a better MERN developer."

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