git-memory-debug

Debug with git-memory

When to Use

• Investigating a regression (something that worked before)
• Tracing all changes to a file or component over time
• Understanding what a recent commit actually changed
• Checking if a bug was introduced or fixed before
• Pre-flight check before a risky refactor

Workflow

1. Identify the component or file the bug is in
2. Call commits_touching_file(filename) to get full change timeline
3. Call bug_fix_history(component) to find prior fixes in the same area
4. Call latest_commits(10) if the regression is recent
5. Cross-reference with GitNexus impact(symbol) if available
6. Synthesise: timeline + prior bugs + recent changes → root cause hypothesis

Checklist

- [ ] Called commits_touching_file for the broken file
- [ ] Called bug_fix_history to find related prior regressions
- [ ] Checked latest_commits for recent changes in the area
- [ ] Noted commit hashes for the user to inspect with git show / git diff
- [ ] Cross-referenced with GitNexus if available (callers, blast radius)

Tool Details

Full file history

commits_touching_file("OrderService.ts", limit=20)
// Returns all commits touching the file, newest first
// in_chroma_index=true means the commit is in semantic memory

Prior bugs in same area

bug_fix_history("orders", include_security=true, limit=10)
// Returns all fix/bug/security commits for the component
// Use this to find: "has this broken before?"

What changed since last deploy

latest_commits(20)
// Returns 20 most recent indexed commits, newest first
// Look for commits touching the same files as the regression

Pinpoint a topic

search_git_history("discount code removal case sensitive", category="fix")
// Finds the exact fix commit for a known bug pattern

Example: Tracing a Regression

User: "The discount removal is broken again — it was working last week."

Step 1 — File history
commits_touching_file("DiscountService.ts")
→ [5e495155] 2026-03-06  fix(cart): fix discount code removal failing with case mismatch
→ [780ec1a9] 2026-03-05  feat(discounts): add cart discount code apply and remove feature

Step 2 — Prior bugs
bug_fix_history("discount")
→ [5e495155] fix(cart): fix discount code removal failing with case mismatch  score=0.717

Step 3 — Recent commits
latest_commits(10)
→ [08690c6a] 2026-03-07  chore(postman): fix cascading test failures...
→ [5e495155] 2026-03-06  fix(cart): fix discount code removal...

Conclusion: Check whether a subsequent commit reverted the .toLowerCase() call
Run: git show 5e495155 -- src/services/DiscountService.ts

Combined with GitNexus

git-memory: bug_fix_history("payments")
→ tells you WHAT has broken here before

GitNexus: impact("PaymentService::handleCallback")
→ tells you WHAT ELSE will break if you touch it now

Together: full temporal + structural picture before making a change.