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Salesforce Debug Log Analysis

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Streamline Salesforce log troubleshooting with structured analysis.

by forcedotcom808 stars on forcedotcom/sf-skills
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Updated Aug 10, 2026
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What Salesforce Debug Log Analysis does

The platform-apex-logs-debug skill is designed for developers and engineers working with Salesforce who need to perform in-depth analysis of debug logs. This skill focuses on root-cause analysis, enabling users to diagnose issues related to governor limits, stack traces, and performance bottlenecks. By following a structured workflow, users can systematically analyze log files to identify problems and recommend appropriate fixes.

When using this skill, users will start by retrieving the relevant debug logs from their Salesforce org, utilizing commands outlined in the provided CLI commands reference. The analysis is conducted in a specific order, prioritizing the entry point and transaction type, and then moving through exceptions, governor limits, and performance evidence. This methodical approach ensures that all potential issues are identified and classified by severity, allowing users to focus on critical problems first.

The skill emphasizes actionable recommendations based on log evidence, ensuring that fixes are rooted in actual data rather than speculation. Users will benefit from predefined patterns for common issues, such as SOQL in loops or CPU pressure, which guide them toward effective solutions. The output format is designed to provide clear and concise information about each issue, including what failed, where it failed, the root cause, severity, recommended fixes, and verification steps.

Overall, platform-apex-logs-debug is an essential tool for Salesforce developers who need to troubleshoot and optimize their applications effectively. It provides a clear framework for analyzing logs, diagnosing issues, and implementing solutions, making it a valuable addition to any Salesforce development workflow.

When to use it

Use this skill when analyzing Salesforce debug logs to diagnose governor limits, stack traces, and performance issues.

When not to use it

This skill is not suitable for running Apex tests or generating Apex code fixes; those tasks should be handled by other specific skills.

What you can build with it

Diagnosing a Governor Limit Issue

When a user encounters governor limits in their Salesforce application, this skill helps analyze the logs to pinpoint the exact cause and suggest optimizations.

Interpreting Stack Traces

For developers facing stack trace errors, this skill provides a structured approach to identify where the error originated and how to address it.

Optimizing SOQL Queries

When performance issues arise from repeated SOQL queries, this skill guides users through analyzing logs to find and fix inefficient query patterns.

How to install Salesforce Debug Log Analysis

View source

1. Install with the skills CLI

npx skills add forcedotcom/sf-skills/platform-apex-logs-debug --agent claude-code

2. Or install it manually

Download the skill folder and drop it into ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, or .claude/skills/ to scope it to one repo. Restart Claude Code so it picks up the new skill.

Anthropic's agentic coding CLI, and the reference implementation of Agent Skills. Drop a skill folder into ~/.claude/skills and Claude Code loads it automatically whenever a task matches the skill's description. Claude Code docs

Inside SKILL.md

Written by forcedotcom

platform-apex-logs-debug: Salesforce Debug Log Analysis & Troubleshooting

Use this skill when the user needs root-cause analysis from debug logs: governor-limit diagnosis, stack-trace interpretation, slow-query investigation, heap / CPU pressure analysis, or a reproduction-to-fix loop based on log evidence.

When This Skill Owns the Task

Use platform-apex-logs-debug when the work involves:

  • .log files from Salesforce
  • stack traces and exception analysis
  • governor limits
  • SOQL / DML / CPU / heap troubleshooting
  • query-plan or performance evidence extracted from logs

Delegate elsewhere when the user is:


Required Context to Gather First

Ask for or infer:

  • org alias
  • failing transaction / user flow / test name
  • approximate timestamp or transaction window
  • user / record / request ID if known
  • whether the goal is diagnosis only or diagnosis + fix loop

Recommended Workflow

1. Retrieve logs

Use the commands in references/cli-commands.md to list, download, or stream logs for the target org.

2. Analyze in this order

  1. entry point and transaction type
  2. exceptions / fatal errors
  3. governor limits
  4. repeated SOQL / DML patterns
  5. CPU / heap hotspots
  6. callout timing and external failures

3. Classify severity

  • Critical — runtime failure, hard limit, corruption risk
  • Warning — near-limit, non-selective query, slow path
  • Info — optimization opportunity or hygiene issue

4. Recommend the smallest correct fix

Prefer fixes that are:

  • root-cause oriented
  • bulk-safe
  • testable
  • easy to verify with a rerun

Expanded workflow: references/analysis-playbook.md


High-Signal Issue Patterns

IssuePrimary signalDefault fix direction
SOQL in looprepeating SOQL_EXECUTE_BEGIN in a repeated call pathquery once, use maps / grouped collections
DML in looprepeated DML_BEGIN patternscollect rows, bulk DML once
Non-selective queryhigh rows scanned / poor selectivityadd indexed filters, reduce scope
CPU pressureCPU usage approaching sync limitreduce algorithmic complexity, cache, async where valid
Heap pressureheap usage approaching sync limitstream with SOQL for-loops, reduce in-memory data
Null pointer / fatal errorEXCEPTION_THROWN / FATAL_ERRORguard null assumptions, fix empty-query handling

Expanded examples: references/common-issues.md


Output Format

When finishing analysis, report in this order:

  1. What failed
  2. Where it failed (class / method / line / transaction stage)
  3. Why it failed (root cause, not just symptom)
  4. How severe it is
  5. Recommended fix
  6. Verification step

Suggested shape:

Issue: <summary>
Location: <class / line / transaction>
Root cause: <explanation>
Severity: Critical | Warning | Info
Fix: <specific action>
Verify: <test or rerun step>

Rules / Constraints

RuleRationale
Always base fix recommendations on log evidenceAvoid speculative diagnosis — root cause must be traceable in the log
Report all six output fields for every issue foundEnsures actionable, complete findings for each problem
Classify every finding as Critical, Warning, or InfoHelps the user prioritize which issues to address first
Delegate code generation to platform-apex-generateThis skill diagnoses; it does not rewrite Apex code
Delegate test execution to platform-apex-test-runThis skill does not run or repair test classes
Never assume limits are safe without reading LIMIT_USAGE eventsLimits may be consumed by earlier operations not visible in the failure point

Gotchas

PitfallResolution
Log truncated at 2 MBReduce debug levels (e.g., ApexCode: INFO, ApexProfiling: FINE) and re-capture
Same issue appears as both SOQL and CPU problemFix SOQL-in-loop first — it typically drives the CPU spike as a secondary effect
No logs appear after trace flag is setVerify the trace flag ExpirationDate is in the future and the correct user is traced
Async context changes limit valuesCPU limit is 60,000 ms async vs 10,000 ms sync — check transaction type before flagging limits
Stack trace points to framework line, not user codeWalk up the call stack past trigger handlers to find the originating user code

Cross-Skill Integration

NeedDelegate toReason
Implement Apex fixplatform-apex-generatecode change generation / review
Reproduce via testsplatform-apex-test-runtest execution and coverage loop
Deploy fixplatform-metadata-deploydeployment orchestration
Create debugging dataplatform-data-managetargeted seed / repro data

Reference File Index

FileWhen to read
references/analysis-playbook.mdStart here — expanded step-by-step workflow for any debugging session
references/common-issues.mdQuick lookup for SOQL in loop, DML in loop, CPU/heap pressure, null pointer patterns
references/cli-commands.mdSF CLI commands for retrieving, streaming, and managing debug logs
references/debug-log-reference.mdFull event type catalog, log levels, and governor limit reference values
references/log-analysis-tools.mdTool guide: Apex Log Analyzer, Developer Console, CLI grep patterns
references/benchmarking-guide.mdPerformance benchmarking techniques, benchmark data, and anti-patterns
references/scoring-rubric.md100-point scoring rubric for evaluating analysis quality
assets/benchmarking-template.clsCopy-paste Anonymous Apex template for running performance benchmarks
assets/cpu-heap-optimization.clsApex patterns for reducing CPU time and heap allocation
assets/dml-in-loop-fix.clsBefore/after example for resolving DML-in-loop violations
assets/soql-in-loop-fix.clsBefore/after example for resolving SOQL-in-loop violations
assets/null-pointer-fix.clsPatterns for guarding against null pointer exceptions

Score Guide

ScoreMeaning
90+Expert analysis with strong fix guidance
80–89Good analysis with minor gaps
70–79Acceptable but may miss secondary issues
60–69Partial diagnosis only
< 60Incomplete analysis

Frequently asked questions about Salesforce Debug Log Analysis

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