What's causing the sudden increase in error rates for Zapper's token swap functionality?

Introduction

The sudden increase in error rates for Zapper's token swap functionality is a critical issue that demands immediate attention. As we delve into this problem, we'll employ a systematic approach to identify, validate, and address the root cause while considering both short-term fixes and long-term implications for our product ecosystem.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking this might be related to a recent deployment. Has there been any significant update to the token swap feature or related systems in the past week?

Why it matters: Recent changes often correlate with performance issues. Expected answer: Yes, a new version was deployed last Thursday. Impact on approach: If confirmed, we'd focus on changes in that deployment.

• Considering user impact, I'm curious about the scale. What percentage increase in error rates are we seeing compared to our baseline?

Why it matters: Helps quantify the severity and urgency of the issue. Expected answer: Error rates have increased by 30% over the past three days. Impact on approach: A significant increase would prioritize immediate action.

• Given the nature of token swaps, I'm wondering if this is affecting all tokens equally. Are we seeing higher error rates for specific tokens or pairs?

Why it matters: Identifies if the issue is systemic or token-specific. Expected answer: Errors are more frequent with newer, less liquid tokens. Impact on approach: Token-specific issues might point to liquidity or integration problems.

• Thinking about user segments, are we seeing this increase across all user types, or is it more pronounced in any particular group?

Why it matters: Helps narrow down potential user-related factors. Expected answer: The issue is more prevalent among high-frequency traders. Impact on approach: User-specific problems might indicate UI/UX or capacity issues.

• Considering external factors, have there been any significant market events or volatility that could be contributing to this increase?

Why it matters: External factors can sometimes explain sudden performance changes. Expected answer: No major market events, but there's been a general uptick in trading volume. Impact on approach: High volume could suggest scaling or capacity issues.