---
title: "gen_dbg_traceTransaction"
description: "Retrieves the full execution trace for a transaction, including the return data, stdout/stderr, GenVM logs, and the exact error if execution failed."
source: https://docs.genlayer.com/api-references/genlayer-node/debug/gen_dbg_traceTransaction
last_updated: 2026-04-03
---

# gen_dbg_traceTransaction

### gen_dbg_traceTransaction

Retrieves the full execution trace for a transaction, including the return data, stdout/stderr, GenVM logs, and the exact error if execution failed.

**Method:** `gen_dbg_traceTransaction`

**Parameters:**

- `request` (object, required):
  - `txID` (string, required): Transaction ID (hex-encoded with `0x` prefix)
  - `round` (integer, optional): Consensus round number (default: 0)

**Returns:** Transaction execution trace object

**Response Fields:**

| Field | Type | Description |
|-------|------|-------------|
| `transaction_id` | string | Transaction hash |
| `result_code` | number | 0=success, 1=user error, 2=VM error |
| `return_data` | string | Hex-encoded contract return data |
| `stdout` | string | Standard output captured during execution |
| `stderr` | string | Standard error captured during execution |
| `genvm_log` | array | Detailed GenVM execution log entries |
| `storage_proof` | string | Hex-encoded storage proof hash |
| `run_time` | string | Execution duration |
| `eq_outputs` | array | Hex-encoded equivalence principle outputs |

**Example:**

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "method": "gen_dbg_traceTransaction",
  "params": [{"txID": "0x563f046c187d711127c51213ca62e2e4fee52009a98f0989a73a0a0382d21890", "round": 0}],
  "id": 1
}
```

**Response:**

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "result": {
    "transaction_id": "0x563f046c187d711127c51213ca62e2e4fee52009a98f0989a73a0a0382d21890",
    "result_code": 2,
    "return_data": "0x2e0464617461b402696e76616c69645f636f6e7472616374...",
    "stdout": "",
    "stderr": "",
    "genvm_log": [
      {
        "file": "src/lib.rs:82",
        "level": "error",
        "message": "vm error",
        "error": {"causes": ["VMError(invalid_contract absent_runner_comment)"]}
      }
    ],
    "storage_proof": "0x99ff0d9125e1fc9531a11262e15aeb2c60509a078c4cc4c64cefdfb06ff68647",
    "run_time": "0s",
    "eq_outputs": []
  },
  "id": 1
}
```

**Notes:**

- If the trace isn't stored locally (e.g., the node restarted or data was pruned), the endpoint will replay the transaction automatically.
- This endpoint is in the `genlayer_debug` group and must be enabled in the node configuration.
- Use `result_code` to determine execution outcome: 0 = contract returned successfully, 1 = contract raised a user error, 2 = GenVM encountered an error.