A well-written bug report is the bridge between discovery and resolution. Learn how to create bug reports that developers appreciate and can act upon quickly.
Essential Elements of a Good Bug Report
1. Clear and Descriptive Title
Your title should immediately convey what the issue is and where it occurs.
Bad: "Button doesn't work"
Good: "Login button unresponsive on mobile Safari iOS 15"
Good: "Login button unresponsive on mobile Safari iOS 15"
2. Detailed Steps to Reproduce
Provide step-by-step instructions that anyone can follow to reproduce the issue.
Example:
1. Navigate to login page
2. Enter valid credentials
3. Click "Login" button
4. Observe: Button becomes unresponsive
1. Navigate to login page
2. Enter valid credentials
3. Click "Login" button
4. Observe: Button becomes unresponsive
3. Expected vs Actual Results
Clearly state what should happen versus what actually happens.
4. Environment Details
- Operating System and version
- Browser and version
- Device type (if applicable)
- Application version
5. Severity and Priority
Help developers understand the impact and urgency of the issue.
Bug Report Template
Title: [Component] Brief description of the issue
Environment:
- OS: [Operating System]
- Browser: [Browser name and version]
- Device: [Device type]
Steps to Reproduce:
1. [First step]
2. [Second step]
3. [Third step]
Expected Result: [What should happen]
Actual Result: [What actually happens]
Severity: [Critical/High/Medium/Low]
Priority: [High/Medium/Low]
Attachments: [Screenshots, videos, logs]
Environment:
- OS: [Operating System]
- Browser: [Browser name and version]
- Device: [Device type]
Steps to Reproduce:
1. [First step]
2. [Second step]
3. [Third step]
Expected Result: [What should happen]
Actual Result: [What actually happens]
Severity: [Critical/High/Medium/Low]
Priority: [High/Medium/Low]
Attachments: [Screenshots, videos, logs]
Best Practices
- One bug per report: Don't combine multiple issues
- Use screenshots: Visual evidence helps immensely
- Test on multiple environments: Verify if it's environment-specific
- Check for duplicates: Search existing reports first
- Follow up: Provide additional information when requested
Remember
A good bug report saves time for everyone involved and leads to faster resolution. Invest time in writing clear, comprehensive reports.