rr review
A focused Linux debugger for reproducing, replaying, and reversing difficult bugs.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
rr is an open-source record-and-replay debugging tool for Linux applications. It records an execution, including relevant kernel inputs, and then replays that execution deterministically under GDB. This makes it suited to developers working with C, C++, and Go who need to reproduce difficult failures, inspect application state, or move backward through an execution instead of relying only on forward stepping. It is distributed as a command-line tool and supports multi-process workloads, containers, and IDE-based debugging.
The defining capability is time-travel debugging. After recording an application run, developers can restart the recording while preserving debugging state, use GDB commands for reverse execution, and apply hardware data watchpoints during reverse debugging. Chaos mode addresses intermittent bug reproduction, while portable, compact trace files make recorded executions easier to retain or move. GDB scripting and IDE integration also help fit rr into existing debugging workflows rather than replacing them with a separate interface.
rr is a strong choice when the main requirement is deterministic reproduction on Linux, particularly for C, C++, or Go programs with intermittent, multi-process, or difficult-to-locate failures. Its narrow platform scope is a meaningful boundary: the published positioning targets Linux applications, and supported Linux hardware and kernel capabilities are required in applicable environments. Teams seeking a focused record-and-replay workflow should consider rr; teams needing a broader cross-platform debugging tool should look elsewhere.
rr pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Deterministic replay with reverse execution through recorded traces
- Hardware watchpoints and multi-process debugging support
- GDB scripting, IDE integration, and compact portable trace files
- Where it doesn't
- Runs on Linux rather than across multiple operating systems
- Requires supported hardware and kernel capabilities
- Its focus is narrower than a general cross-platform debugger
rr fact sheet, pricing and score →
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