BTRACE(8) | System Manager's Manual | BTRACE(8)

# NAME

`btrace` — bug tracer

# SYNOPSIS

`btrace` | [`-lnv`] programfile | `-e` program [argument ...]

# DESCRIPTION

The `btrace` utility provides an interface to inspect the internals of the system and programs. It interprets the bt(5) program read from the programfile, passing the optional arguments to it, and communicates with the dynamic tracer device using the interface described in dt(4).

The options are as follows:

`-e` program
  Execute the program specified as the option argument instead of reading a program from a file. In this case, all non-option arguments are passed through to the program.
`-l`
  List all available probes.
`-n`
  No action. Parse the program and then exit.
`-v`
  Verbose mode. Causes `btrace` to print debugging messages. Multiple `-v` options increase the verbosity. The maximum is 2.

# FILES

/usr/share/btrace/*
  collection of useful `btrace` programs

# EXIT STATUS

The `btrace` utility exits 0 on success, and >0 if an error occurs.

# SEE ALSO

dt(4), bt(5)

# HISTORY

The `btrace` utility first appeared in OpenBSD 6.7.

# AUTHORS

Martin Pieuchot <mpi@openbsd.org>

October 5, 2025 | Debian