When an App gives unexpected results, won’t run, or feels inconsistent, it usually means one of three things: the App needs clearer instructions, it’s missing required info, or something on your device is getting in the way. Use the steps below to quickly narrow it down—and then tell Forge exactly what to fix.
You don’t need to “debug” anything. Think of this as: confirm what you did, confirm what you expected, and tell Forge the difference.
Quick checks (fast fixes)
Try the smallest, easiest input you can (for example, one item instead of a long list). If the simple test works, the App may be confused by a specific type of entry (like blanks, special symbols, or multiple items at once).
Look for anything the App expects you to fill in (a required field, a category, a date, a toggle). If you leave something blank, some Apps will guess—and that can feel “inconsistent.”
If you have similar Apps (for example, “Groceries” and “Groceries (Family)”), open the App name at the top and confirm you’re in the one you meant to use.
Fully close the app and open it again, then try the same action once more. This fixes many “won’t run” or “stuck” moments.
If results look wrong or inconsistent
These steps help when the App runs, but the output isn’t what you meant (wrong formatting, wrong totals, missing items, surprising suggestions, etc.).
Enter the same information two times in a row. If you get different results, it’s a strong sign the App needs clearer rules (not that you did something wrong).
Change only one thing (for example, add a date, or remove a note) and run again. This helps you identify what triggers the weird result.
If you typed something like “tomorrow afternoon” or “a few items” or “cheap,” the App may interpret that differently than you intended. Make it more specific (a date, a number, a price range) and try again.
Sometimes the App is doing the right job—but in the wrong format. Decide what you want:
- List: show all items
- Summary: short overview (totals, highlights)
- Action: add, remove, sort, or update something
Then you can tell Forge to always respond in that style.
If an App feels “random,” it often just needs a rule like: “Always do X first, then Y. If info is missing, ask me a question instead of guessing.”
If the App won’t run (or gets stuck)
Use this when a button doesn’t do anything, you can’t complete an action, or the App appears frozen.
If there are two ways to do it (for example, a main button vs. an “Add” option), try the other route once. This helps confirm whether one specific action is failing.
If you pasted a big block of text, try a shorter version without emojis, symbols, or multiple lines. If that works, tell Forge the App should support your original format.
If you’re offline or on a weak connection, Apps can fail to complete a run. Switch to a stronger connection and try again.
If closing/reopening Spanner didn’t help, restart your phone or tablet and try again.
Describe the problem in Forge (so it can improve)
Forge improves Apps best when you describe the issue like a before/after example. You don’t need special terms—just be specific.
What to include (the 5 things Forge needs)
- What you did: the exact taps or the exact text you entered
- What you expected: what “good” looks like to you
- What happened instead: what you saw (wrong output, missing item, nothing happens)
- How often: every time, sometimes, only with certain inputs
- A concrete example: one real input and the result you got
Avoid describing the issue only as “it’s broken” or “it’s wrong.” Forge can’t fix what it can’t see. One specific example is worth more than a long explanation.
Copy-and-paste message for Forge
Something’s not working the way I want.
What I did:
- (Example: Opened the App → tapped “Add item” → typed: "2 bananas" → tapped Save)
What I expected:
- (Example: It should add “bananas” with quantity 2 to my list, and show it at the top.)
What happened instead:
- (Example: It added “banana” with quantity 1, and sometimes it doesn’t show up until I reopen the App.)
How often it happens:
- (Example: Every time / only when I include a number / only sometimes)
Please change the App so that:
- (Example: It always keeps the quantity I type, and it shows the new item immediately.)
If anything is unclear, ask me a question instead of guessing.
Helpful “fix requests” you can use
Ask Forge: When information is missing, ask me a question instead of assuming.
Ask Forge: For the same input, always produce the same output format and order.
Ask Forge: Keep the output short: a clear list with bold headings, no extra explanation.
Ask Forge: Support messy input like multiple lines, pasted text, and notes in parentheses.
Ask Forge: When I type (example), it currently does (wrong). Change it so it does (right) instead.
When to undo your last change
If the App used to work and started acting up right after you changed it in Forge, it’s usually fastest to go back to a previous version and then re-apply the change in a clearer way.
This page focuses on troubleshooting steps and how to describe issues clearly. Version history and restoring older versions are covered in the separate “App Versions” page.
Common symptoms and what to try
Try closing and reopening Spanner, then repeat the same action with a simple test input. If it still fails, tell Forge what changed since it last worked (for example: “after I asked you to add a new field”).
Give Forge a rule: what the App should always do first, and what it should do when unsure (ask a question). Include one example where it misunderstood you.
Ask Forge to change the format (list vs. summary), add headings, or reorder items. Include a short sample of the output you want.
Share the exact input that causes trouble (copy/paste if possible) and what you expected. Also mention what inputs do work, so Forge can spot the difference.
Best results come from a single message that includes: your example input, the wrong result, and the exact result you want. Keep it concrete and Forge can fix it quickly.