diff --git a/src/cli.mts b/src/cli.mts
index 850f83b4b..64a5956ca 100755
--- a/src/cli.mts
+++ b/src/cli.mts
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import lookupRegistryAuthToken from 'registry-auth-token'
 import lookupRegistryUrl from 'registry-url'
 import updateNotifier from 'tiny-updater'
 
-import { debugFn, debugLog } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
+import { debugDir, debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
 import { logger } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/logger'
 
 import { cmdAnalytics } from './commands/analytics/cmd-analytics.mts'
@@ -186,8 +186,8 @@ void (async () => {
     )
   } catch (e) {
     process.exitCode = 1
-    debugFn('Uncaught error (BAD!):')
-    debugFn(e)
+    debugFn('error', 'Uncaught error (BAD!):')
+    debugDir('inspect', { error: e })
 
     // Try to parse the flags, find out if --json or --markdown is set.
     let isJson = false
@@ -231,8 +231,7 @@ void (async () => {
       logger.error('\n') // Any-spinner-newline
       logger.fail(failMsgWithBadge(errorTitle, errorMessage))
       if (errorBody) {
-        // Explicitly use debugLog here.
-        debugLog(errorBody)
+        debugDir('inspect', { errorBody })
       }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/commands/audit-log/output-audit-log.mts b/src/commands/audit-log/output-audit-log.mts
index 6e6497d09..0170f7e41 100644
--- a/src/commands/audit-log/output-audit-log.mts
+++ b/src/commands/audit-log/output-audit-log.mts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { createRequire } from 'node:module'
 
-import { debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
+import { debugDir, debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
 import { logger } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/logger'
 
 import constants from '../../constants.mts'
@@ -182,7 +182,8 @@ ${table}
     logger.fail(
       'There was a problem converting the logs to Markdown, please try the `--json` flag',
     )
-    debugFn('catch: unexpected\n', e)
+    debugFn('error', 'caught: unexpected error')
+    debugDir('inspect', { error: e })
     return 'Failed to generate the markdown report'
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/commands/ci/fetch-default-org-slug.mts b/src/commands/ci/fetch-default-org-slug.mts
index d0a096d2a..631117038 100644
--- a/src/commands/ci/fetch-default-org-slug.mts
+++ b/src/commands/ci/fetch-default-org-slug.mts
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ export async function getDefaultOrgSlug(): Promise<CResult<string>> {
   const defaultOrgResult = getConfigValueOrUndef('defaultOrg')
 
   if (defaultOrgResult) {
-    debugFn('use: default org', defaultOrgResult)
+    debugFn('notice', 'use: default org', defaultOrgResult)
     return { ok: true, data: defaultOrgResult }
   }
 
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ export async function getDefaultOrgSlug(): Promise<CResult<string>> {
     }
   }
 
-  debugFn('resolve: org', slug)
+  debugFn('notice', 'resolve: org', slug)
 
   return {
     ok: true,
diff --git a/src/commands/fix/agent-fix.mts b/src/commands/fix/agent-fix.mts
index 83c885a1f..1c6ff0ad8 100644
--- a/src/commands/fix/agent-fix.mts
+++ b/src/commands/fix/agent-fix.mts
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import semver from 'semver'
 
 import { getManifestData } from '@socketsecurity/registry'
 import { arrayUnique } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/arrays'
-import { debugFn, isDebug } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
+import { debugDir, debugFn, isDebug } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
 import { logger } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/logger'
 import { runNpmScript } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/npm'
 import {
@@ -134,15 +134,15 @@ export async function agentFix(
     spinner?.stop()
     logger.info('No fixable vulns found.')
     if (alertsMap.size) {
-      debugFn('inspect:', { alertsMap })
+      debugDir('inspect', { alertsMap })
     } else {
-      debugFn('inspect: { alertsMap: Map(0) {} }')
+      debugFn('inspect', '{ alertsMap: Map(0) {} }')
     }
     return { ok: true, data: { fixed: false } }
   }
 
-  if (isDebug()) {
-    debugFn('found: cves for', Array.from(infoByPartialPurl.keys()))
+  if (isDebug('notice')) {
+    debugFn('notice', 'found: cves for', Array.from(infoByPartialPurl.keys()))
   }
 
   // Lazily access constants.packumentCache.
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ export async function agentFix(
     spinner?.indent()
 
     if (getManifestData(partialPurlObj.type, name)) {
-      debugFn(`found: Socket Optimize variant for ${name}`)
+      debugFn('notice', `found: Socket Optimize variant for ${name}`)
     }
     // eslint-disable-next-line no-await-in-loop
     const packument = await fetchPackagePackument(name)
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ export async function agentFix(
       )
 
       if (!oldVersions.length) {
-        debugFn(`skip: ${name} not found\n`)
+        debugFn('notice', `skip: ${name} not found\n`)
         // Skip to next package.
         cleanupInfoEntriesLoop()
         continue infoEntriesLoop
@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ export async function agentFix(
       let hasAnnouncedWorkspace = false
       let workspaceLogCallCount = logger.logCallCount
       if (isDebug()) {
-        debugFn(`check: workspace ${workspace}`)
+        debugFn('notice', `check: workspace ${workspace}`)
         hasAnnouncedWorkspace = true
         workspaceLogCallCount = logger.logCallCount
       }
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ export async function agentFix(
 
         const node = findPackageNode(actualTree, name, oldVersion)
         if (!node) {
-          debugFn(`skip: ${oldId} not found`)
+          debugFn('notice', `skip: ${oldId} not found`)
           continue oldVersionsLoop
         }
         infosLoop: for (const {
@@ -319,7 +319,7 @@ export async function agentFix(
             continue infosLoop
           }
           if (semver.gte(oldVersion, newVersion)) {
-            debugFn(`skip: ${oldId} is >= ${newVersion}`)
+            debugFn('notice', `skip: ${oldId} is >= ${newVersion}`)
             continue infosLoop
           }
           if (
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ export async function agentFix(
                 b.workspace === branchWorkspace && b.newVersion === newVersion,
             )
           ) {
-            debugFn(`skip: open PR found for ${name}@${newVersion}`)
+            debugFn('notice', `skip: open PR found for ${name}@${newVersion}`)
             if (++count >= limit) {
               cleanupInfoEntriesLoop()
               break infoEntriesLoop
@@ -366,7 +366,7 @@ export async function agentFix(
           )
           // eslint-disable-next-line no-await-in-loop
           if (!(await editablePkgJson.save({ ignoreWhitespace: true }))) {
-            debugFn(`skip: ${workspace}/package.json unchanged`)
+            debugFn('notice', `skip: ${workspace}/package.json unchanged`)
             // Reset things just in case.
             if (ciEnv) {
               // eslint-disable-next-line no-await-in-loop
@@ -461,12 +461,12 @@ export async function agentFix(
                 )
               ) {
                 skipPr = true
-                debugFn(`skip: branch "${branch}" exists`)
+                debugFn('notice', `skip: branch "${branch}" exists`)
               }
               // eslint-disable-next-line no-await-in-loop
               else if (await gitRemoteBranchExists(branch, cwd)) {
                 skipPr = true
-                debugFn(`skip: remote branch "${branch}" exists`)
+                debugFn('notice', `skip: remote branch "${branch}" exists`)
               } else if (
                 // eslint-disable-next-line no-await-in-loop
                 !(await gitCreateAndPushBranch(
@@ -613,8 +613,7 @@ export async function agentFix(
               cause: `Update failed for ${oldId} in ${workspace}${error ? '; ' + error : ''}`,
             }
           }
-          debugFn('name:', name)
-          debugFn('increment: count', count + 1)
+          debugFn('notice', 'increment: count', count + 1)
           if (++count >= limit) {
             cleanupInfoEntriesLoop()
             break infoEntriesLoop
diff --git a/src/commands/fix/fix-branch-helpers.mts b/src/commands/fix/fix-branch-helpers.mts
index 2179136d5..bd5954b32 100644
--- a/src/commands/fix/fix-branch-helpers.mts
+++ b/src/commands/fix/fix-branch-helpers.mts
@@ -35,15 +35,16 @@ export function getActiveBranchesForPackage(
     }
   }
 
-  if (isDebug()) {
+  if (isDebug('notice')) {
     const fullName = resolvePackageName(partialPurlObj)
     if (activeBranches.length) {
       debugFn(
+        'notice',
         `found: ${activeBranches.length} active branches for ${fullName}\n`,
         activeBranches,
       )
     } else if (openPrs.length) {
-      debugFn(`miss: 0 active branches found for ${fullName}`)
+      debugFn('notice', `miss: 0 active branches found for ${fullName}`)
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/src/commands/fix/fix-env-helpers.mts b/src/commands/fix/fix-env-helpers.mts
index ca712b637..9b16254e3 100644
--- a/src/commands/fix/fix-env-helpers.mts
+++ b/src/commands/fix/fix-env-helpers.mts
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ async function getEnvRepoInfo(
   // Lazily access constants.ENV.GITHUB_REPOSITORY.
   const { GITHUB_REPOSITORY } = constants.ENV
   if (!GITHUB_REPOSITORY) {
-    debugFn('miss: GITHUB_REPOSITORY env var')
+    debugFn('notice', 'miss: GITHUB_REPOSITORY env var')
   }
   const ownerSlashRepo = GITHUB_REPOSITORY
   const slashIndex = ownerSlashRepo.indexOf('/')
diff --git a/src/commands/fix/git.mts b/src/commands/fix/git.mts
index cdf76a3b9..d1060c5d4 100644
--- a/src/commands/fix/git.mts
+++ b/src/commands/fix/git.mts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import semver from 'semver'
 
 import { PackageURL } from '@socketregistry/packageurl-js'
-import { debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
+import { debugDir, debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
 import { normalizePath } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/path'
 import { escapeRegExp } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/regexps'
 import { spawn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/spawn'
@@ -246,7 +246,8 @@ export async function gitCreateAndPushBranch(
     return true
   } catch (e) {
     debugFn(
-      `catch: git push --force --set-upstream origin ${branch} failed\n`,
+      'error',
+      `caught: git push --force --set-upstream origin ${branch} failed\n`,
       e,
     )
   }
@@ -284,9 +285,11 @@ export async function gitRepoInfo(
         return { owner, repo }
       }
     } catch {}
-    debugFn('git: unmatched git remote URL format', remoteUrl)
+    debugFn('error', 'git: unmatched git remote URL format')
+    debugDir('inspect', { remoteUrl })
   } catch (e) {
-    debugFn('catch: git remote get-url origin failed\n', e)
+    debugFn('error', 'caught: git remote get-url origin failed')
+    debugDir('inspect', { error: e })
   }
   return null
 }
@@ -315,7 +318,8 @@ export async function gitEnsureIdentity(
         try {
           await spawn('git', ['config', prop, value], stdioIgnoreOptions)
         } catch (e) {
-          debugFn(`catch: git config ${prop} ${value} failed\n`, e)
+          debugFn('error', `caught: git config ${prop} ${value} failed`)
+          debugDir('inspect', { error: e })
         }
       }
     }),
@@ -373,7 +377,8 @@ export async function gitUnstagedModifiedFiles(
       data: rawRelPaths.map(relPath => normalizePath(relPath)),
     }
   } catch (e) {
-    debugFn('catch: git diff --name-only failed\n', e)
+    debugFn('error', 'caught: git diff --name-only failed')
+    debugDir('inspect', { error: e })
 
     return {
       ok: false,
diff --git a/src/commands/fix/handle-fix.mts b/src/commands/fix/handle-fix.mts
index af2bc4599..4a109dec2 100644
--- a/src/commands/fix/handle-fix.mts
+++ b/src/commands/fix/handle-fix.mts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
+import { debugDir, debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
 import { logger } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/logger'
 import { pluralize } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/words'
 
@@ -59,7 +59,8 @@ export async function handleFix({
         )
         ghsasCount = ghsas.length
       } else {
-        debugFn('coana fail:', {
+        debugFn('error', 'fail: Coana CLI')
+        debugDir('inspect', {
           message: autoCResult.message,
           cause: autoCResult.cause,
         })
@@ -87,7 +88,8 @@ export async function handleFix({
       spinner?.stop()
 
       if (!applyFixesCResult.ok) {
-        debugFn('coana fail:', {
+        debugFn('error', 'fail: Coana CLI')
+        debugDir('inspect', {
           message: applyFixesCResult.message,
           cause: applyFixesCResult.cause,
         })
diff --git a/src/commands/fix/npm-fix.mts b/src/commands/fix/npm-fix.mts
index 90ce491ff..232b29d2f 100644
--- a/src/commands/fix/npm-fix.mts
+++ b/src/commands/fix/npm-fix.mts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { debugFn, isDebug } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
+import { debugDir, debugFn, isDebug } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
 
 import { agentFix } from './agent-fix.mts'
 import { getCiEnv, getOpenPrsForEnvironment } from './fix-env-helpers.mts'
@@ -77,7 +77,8 @@ export async function npmFix(
     }
   } catch (e) {
     spinner?.stop()
-    debugFn('catch: PURL API\n', e)
+    debugFn('error', 'caught: PURL API')
+    debugDir('inspect', { error: e })
     return {
       ok: false,
       message: 'API Error',
diff --git a/src/commands/fix/open-pr.mts b/src/commands/fix/open-pr.mts
index b2aeb7d59..7738a7d71 100644
--- a/src/commands/fix/open-pr.mts
+++ b/src/commands/fix/open-pr.mts
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import { Octokit } from '@octokit/rest'
 import semver from 'semver'
 
 import { PackageURL } from '@socketregistry/packageurl-js'
-import { debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
+import { debugDir, debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
 import { readJson, writeJson } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/fs'
 import { spawn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/spawn'
 import { isNonEmptyString } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/strings'
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ function getOctokit() {
     // Lazily access constants.ENV.SOCKET_CLI_GITHUB_TOKEN.
     const { SOCKET_CLI_GITHUB_TOKEN } = constants.ENV
     if (!SOCKET_CLI_GITHUB_TOKEN) {
-      debugFn('miss: SOCKET_CLI_GITHUB_TOKEN env var')
+      debugFn('notice', 'miss: SOCKET_CLI_GITHUB_TOKEN env var')
     }
     _octokit = new Octokit({
       auth: SOCKET_CLI_GITHUB_TOKEN,
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ export function getOctokitGraphql(): typeof OctokitGraphql {
     // Lazily access constants.ENV.SOCKET_CLI_GITHUB_TOKEN.
     const { SOCKET_CLI_GITHUB_TOKEN } = constants.ENV
     if (!SOCKET_CLI_GITHUB_TOKEN) {
-      debugFn('miss: SOCKET_CLI_GITHUB_TOKEN env var')
+      debugFn('notice', 'miss: SOCKET_CLI_GITHUB_TOKEN env var')
     }
     _octokitGraphql = OctokitGraphql.defaults({
       headers: {
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ export async function cleanupOpenPrs(
             pull_number: prNum,
             state: 'closed',
           })
-          debugFn(`close: ${prRef} for ${prToVersion}`)
+          debugFn('notice', `close: ${prRef} for ${prToVersion}`)
           // Remove entry from parent object.
           context.parent.splice(context.index, 1)
           // Mark cache to be saved.
@@ -179,6 +179,7 @@ export async function cleanupOpenPrs(
           return null
         } catch (e) {
           debugFn(
+            'error',
             `fail: close ${prRef} for ${prToVersion}\n`,
             (e as Error)?.message || 'unknown error',
           )
@@ -194,7 +195,7 @@ export async function cleanupOpenPrs(
             base: match.headRefName,
             head: match.baseRefName,
           })
-          debugFn('update: stale', prRef)
+          debugFn('notice', 'update: stale', prRef)
           // Update entry entry.
           if (context.apiType === 'graphql') {
             context.entry.mergeStateStatus = 'CLEAN'
@@ -205,7 +206,7 @@ export async function cleanupOpenPrs(
           cachesToSave.set(context.cacheKey, context.data)
         } catch (e) {
           const message = (e as Error)?.message || 'Unknown error'
-          debugFn(`fail: update ${prRef} - ${message}`)
+          debugFn('error', `fail: update ${prRef} - ${message}`)
         }
       }
       return match
@@ -477,7 +478,7 @@ export async function openPr(
         .join('\n')
       message += `:\n${details}`
     }
-    debugFn(message)
+    debugFn('error', message)
   }
   return null
 }
@@ -512,6 +513,7 @@ export async function setGitRemoteGithubRepoUrl(
   try {
     await spawn('git', ['remote', 'set-url', 'origin', url], stdioIgnoreOptions)
   } catch (e) {
-    debugFn('catch: unexpected\n', e)
+    debugFn('error', 'caught: unexpected error')
+    debugDir('inspect', { error: e })
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/commands/fix/pnpm-fix.mts b/src/commands/fix/pnpm-fix.mts
index e1e913ea3..ee8be5895 100644
--- a/src/commands/fix/pnpm-fix.mts
+++ b/src/commands/fix/pnpm-fix.mts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { promises as fs } from 'node:fs'
 
-import { debugFn, isDebug } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
+import { debugDir, debugFn, isDebug } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
 import { hasKeys } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/objects'
 
 import { agentFix } from './agent-fix.mts'
@@ -118,7 +118,8 @@ export async function pnpmFix(
         )
   } catch (e) {
     spinner?.stop()
-    debugFn('catch: PURL API\n', e)
+    debugFn('error', 'caught: PURL API')
+    debugDir('inspect', { error: e })
     return {
       ok: false,
       message: 'API Error',
diff --git a/src/commands/install/setup-tab-completion.mts b/src/commands/install/setup-tab-completion.mts
index a0eacfd23..b8185a17f 100644
--- a/src/commands/install/setup-tab-completion.mts
+++ b/src/commands/install/setup-tab-completion.mts
@@ -31,10 +31,10 @@ export async function setupTabCompletion(targetName: string): Promise<
 
   // Target dir is something like ~/.local/share/socket/settings/completion (linux)
   const targetDir = path.dirname(targetPath)
-  debugFn('target: path + dir', targetPath, targetDir)
+  debugFn('notice', 'target: path + dir', targetPath, targetDir)
 
   if (!fs.existsSync(targetDir)) {
-    debugFn('create: target dir')
+    debugFn('notice', 'create: target dir')
     fs.mkdirSync(targetDir, { recursive: true })
   }
 
diff --git a/src/commands/manifest/cmd-manifest-auto.mts b/src/commands/manifest/cmd-manifest-auto.mts
index 6fbf65580..d1abbf38b 100644
--- a/src/commands/manifest/cmd-manifest-auto.mts
+++ b/src/commands/manifest/cmd-manifest-auto.mts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import path from 'node:path'
 
-import { debugLog } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
+import { debugDir } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
 import { logger } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/logger'
 
 import { detectManifestActions } from './detect-manifest-actions.mts'
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ async function run(
   const sockJson = await readOrDefaultSocketJson(cwd)
 
   const detected = await detectManifestActions(sockJson, cwd)
-  debugLog('[DEBUG]', detected)
+  debugDir('inspect', { detected })
 
   if (cli.flags['dryRun']) {
     logger.log(DRY_RUN_BAILING_NOW)
diff --git a/src/commands/manifest/cmd-manifest-gradle.mts b/src/commands/manifest/cmd-manifest-gradle.mts
index 4d28790ea..37fbc1b5e 100644
--- a/src/commands/manifest/cmd-manifest-gradle.mts
+++ b/src/commands/manifest/cmd-manifest-gradle.mts
@@ -99,7 +99,11 @@ async function run(
 
   const sockJson = await readOrDefaultSocketJson(cwd)
 
-  debugFn('override: socket.json gradle', sockJson?.defaults?.manifest?.gradle)
+  debugFn(
+    'inspect',
+    'override: socket.json gradle',
+    sockJson?.defaults?.manifest?.gradle,
+  )
 
   // Set defaults for any flag/arg that is not given. Check socket.json first.
   if (!bin) {
diff --git a/src/commands/manifest/cmd-manifest-kotlin.mts b/src/commands/manifest/cmd-manifest-kotlin.mts
index 5e680ae65..dc7975aa7 100644
--- a/src/commands/manifest/cmd-manifest-kotlin.mts
+++ b/src/commands/manifest/cmd-manifest-kotlin.mts
@@ -104,7 +104,11 @@ async function run(
 
   const sockJson = await readOrDefaultSocketJson(cwd)
 
-  debugFn('override: socket.json gradle', sockJson?.defaults?.manifest?.gradle)
+  debugFn(
+    'inspect',
+    'override: socket.json gradle',
+    sockJson?.defaults?.manifest?.gradle,
+  )
 
   // Set defaults for any flag/arg that is not given. Check socket.json first.
   if (!bin) {
diff --git a/src/commands/manifest/cmd-manifest-scala.mts b/src/commands/manifest/cmd-manifest-scala.mts
index ff832d824..6f5474d3b 100644
--- a/src/commands/manifest/cmd-manifest-scala.mts
+++ b/src/commands/manifest/cmd-manifest-scala.mts
@@ -112,7 +112,11 @@ async function run(
 
   const sockJson = await readOrDefaultSocketJson(cwd)
 
-  debugFn('override: socket.json sbt', sockJson?.defaults?.manifest?.sbt)
+  debugFn(
+    'inspect',
+    'override: socket.json sbt',
+    sockJson?.defaults?.manifest?.sbt,
+  )
 
   // Set defaults for any flag/arg that is not given. Check socket.json first.
   if (!bin) {
diff --git a/src/commands/manifest/detect-manifest-actions.mts b/src/commands/manifest/detect-manifest-actions.mts
index f04995931..80ae611ac 100644
--- a/src/commands/manifest/detect-manifest-actions.mts
+++ b/src/commands/manifest/detect-manifest-actions.mts
@@ -31,31 +31,40 @@ export async function detectManifestActions(
   }
 
   if (sockJson?.defaults?.manifest?.sbt?.disabled) {
-    debugLog('[DEBUG] - sbt auto-detection is disabled in socket.json')
+    debugLog(
+      'notice',
+      '[DEBUG] - sbt auto-detection is disabled in socket.json',
+    )
   } else if (existsSync(path.join(cwd, 'build.sbt'))) {
-    debugLog('[DEBUG] - Detected a Scala sbt build file')
+    debugLog('notice', '[DEBUG] - Detected a Scala sbt build file')
 
     output.sbt = true
     output.count += 1
   }
 
   if (sockJson?.defaults?.manifest?.gradle?.disabled) {
-    debugLog('[DEBUG] - gradle auto-detection is disabled in socket.json')
+    debugLog(
+      'notice',
+      '[DEBUG] - gradle auto-detection is disabled in socket.json',
+    )
   } else if (existsSync(path.join(cwd, 'gradlew'))) {
-    debugLog('[DEBUG] - Detected a gradle build file')
+    debugLog('notice', '[DEBUG] - Detected a gradle build file')
     output.gradle = true
     output.count += 1
   }
 
   if (sockJson?.defaults?.manifest?.conda?.disabled) {
-    debugLog('[DEBUG] - conda auto-detection is disabled in socket.json')
+    debugLog(
+      'notice',
+      '[DEBUG] - conda auto-detection is disabled in socket.json',
+    )
   } else {
     const envyml = path.join(cwd, 'environment.yml')
     const hasEnvyml = existsSync(envyml)
     const envyaml = path.join(cwd, 'environment.yaml')
     const hasEnvyaml = !hasEnvyml && existsSync(envyaml)
     if (hasEnvyml || hasEnvyaml) {
-      debugLog('[DEBUG] - Detected an environment.yml Conda file')
+      debugLog('notice', '[DEBUG] - Detected an environment.yml Conda file')
       output.conda = true
       output.count += 1
     }
diff --git a/src/commands/manifest/setup-manifest-config.mts b/src/commands/manifest/setup-manifest-config.mts
index 0023ae475..3ba6a8e43 100644
--- a/src/commands/manifest/setup-manifest-config.mts
+++ b/src/commands/manifest/setup-manifest-config.mts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import fs from 'node:fs'
 import path from 'node:path'
 
-import { debugLog } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
+import { debugDir } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
 import { logger } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/logger'
 import { input, select } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/prompts'
 
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ export async function setupManifestConfig(
   defaultOnReadError = false,
 ): Promise<CResult<unknown>> {
   const detected = await detectManifestActions(null, cwd)
-  debugLog('[DEBUG]', detected)
+  debugDir('inspect', { detected })
 
   // - repeat
   //   - give the user an option to configure one of the supported targets
diff --git a/src/commands/optimize/update-lockfile.mts b/src/commands/optimize/update-lockfile.mts
index 62a069525..a3f396fb6 100644
--- a/src/commands/optimize/update-lockfile.mts
+++ b/src/commands/optimize/update-lockfile.mts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
+import { debugDir, debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
 import { Spinner } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/spinner'
 
 import constants from '../../constants.mts'
@@ -45,7 +45,8 @@ export async function updateLockfile(
   } catch (e) {
     spinner?.stop()
 
-    debugFn('fail: update\n', e)
+    debugFn('error', 'fail: update')
+    debugDir('inspect', { error: e })
 
     return {
       ok: false,
diff --git a/src/commands/package/output-purls-shallow-score.mts b/src/commands/package/output-purls-shallow-score.mts
index a518182a8..da7cfa8ef 100644
--- a/src/commands/package/output-purls-shallow-score.mts
+++ b/src/commands/package/output-purls-shallow-score.mts
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ function formatReportCard(artifact: DedupedArtifact, color: boolean): string {
   }
   const alertString = getAlertString(artifact.alerts, !color)
   if (!artifact.ecosystem) {
-    debugFn('miss: artifact ecosystem', artifact)
+    debugFn('notice', 'miss: artifact ecosystem', artifact)
   }
   const purl = `pkg:${artifact.ecosystem}/${artifact.name}${artifact.version ? '@' + artifact.version : ''}`
 
diff --git a/src/commands/repository/fetch-list-all-repos.mts b/src/commands/repository/fetch-list-all-repos.mts
index f04fb44f4..c29d8d0f3 100644
--- a/src/commands/repository/fetch-list-all-repos.mts
+++ b/src/commands/repository/fetch-list-all-repos.mts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
+import { debugDir, debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
 
 import { handleApiCall } from '../../utils/api.mts'
 import { setupSdk } from '../../utils/sdk.mts'
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ export async function fetchListAllRepos({
       }
     }
     // eslint-disable-next-line no-await-in-loop
-    const result = await handleApiCall(
+    const orgRepoListCResult = await handleApiCall(
       sockSdk.getOrgRepoList(orgSlug, {
         sort,
         direction,
@@ -42,13 +42,14 @@ export async function fetchListAllRepos({
       }),
       'list of repositories',
     )
-    if (!result.ok) {
-      debugFn('fail: fetch repo\n', result)
-      return result
+    if (!orgRepoListCResult.ok) {
+      debugFn('error', 'fail: fetch repo')
+      debugDir('inspect', { orgRepoListCResult })
+      return orgRepoListCResult
     }
 
-    result.data.results.forEach(row => rows.push(row))
-    nextPage = result.data.nextPage ?? -1
+    orgRepoListCResult.data.results.forEach(row => rows.push(row))
+    nextPage = orgRepoListCResult.data.nextPage ?? -1
   }
 
   return {
diff --git a/src/commands/scan/create-scan-from-github.mts b/src/commands/scan/create-scan-from-github.mts
index fc1ddae77..1e3db4951 100644
--- a/src/commands/scan/create-scan-from-github.mts
+++ b/src/commands/scan/create-scan-from-github.mts
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ async function scanOneRepo(
   }
 
   const tmpDir = fs.mkdtempSync(path.join(os.tmpdir(), repoSlug))
-  debugFn('init: temp dir for scan root', tmpDir)
+  debugFn('notice', 'init: temp dir for scan root', tmpDir)
 
   const downloadResult = await testAndDownloadManifestFiles({
     files,
@@ -357,15 +357,19 @@ async function testAndDownloadManifestFile({
   repoApiUrl: string
   githubToken: string
 }): Promise<CResult<{ isManifest: boolean }>> {
-  debugFn('testing: file', file)
+  debugFn('notice', 'testing: file', file)
 
   if (!SUPPORTED_FILE_PATTERNS.some(regex => regex.test(file))) {
-    debugFn('  - skip: not a known pattern')
+    debugFn('notice', '  - skip: not a known pattern')
     // Not an error.
     return { ok: true, data: { isManifest: false } }
   }
 
-  debugFn('found: manifest file, going to attempt to download it;', file)
+  debugFn(
+    'notice',
+    'found: manifest file, going to attempt to download it;',
+    file,
+  )
 
   const result = await downloadManifestFile({
     file,
@@ -391,10 +395,10 @@ async function downloadManifestFile({
   repoApiUrl: string
   githubToken: string
 }): Promise<CResult<undefined>> {
-  debugFn('request: download url from GitHub')
+  debugFn('notice', 'request: download url from GitHub')
 
   const fileUrl = `${repoApiUrl}/contents/${file}?ref=${defaultBranch}`
-  debugFn('url: file', fileUrl)
+  debugFn('inspect', 'url: file', fileUrl)
 
   const downloadUrlResponse = await fetch(fileUrl, {
     method: 'GET',
@@ -402,10 +406,10 @@ async function downloadManifestFile({
       Authorization: `Bearer ${githubToken}`,
     },
   })
-  debugFn('complete: request')
+  debugFn('notice', 'complete: request')
 
   const downloadUrlText = await downloadUrlResponse.text()
-  debugFn('response: raw download url', downloadUrlText)
+  debugFn('inspect', 'response: raw download url', downloadUrlText)
 
   let downloadUrl
   try {
@@ -423,7 +427,13 @@ async function downloadManifestFile({
   }
 
   const localPath = path.join(tmpDir, file)
-  debugFn('download: manifest file started', downloadUrl, '->', localPath)
+  debugFn(
+    'notice',
+    'download: manifest file started',
+    downloadUrl,
+    '->',
+    localPath,
+  )
 
   // Now stream the file to that file...
   const result = await streamDownloadWithFetch(localPath, downloadUrl)
@@ -435,7 +445,7 @@ async function downloadManifestFile({
     return result
   }
 
-  debugFn('download: manifest file completed')
+  debugFn('notice', 'download: manifest file completed')
 
   return { ok: true, data: undefined }
 }
@@ -487,8 +497,7 @@ async function streamDownloadWithFetch(
       'An error was thrown while trying to download a manifest file... url:',
       downloadUrl,
     )
-    debugFn('Raw error:')
-    debugFn(error)
+    debugFn('inspect', { error })
 
     // If an error occurs and fileStream was created, attempt to clean up.
     if (fs.existsSync(localPath)) {
@@ -512,7 +521,7 @@ async function streamDownloadWithFetch(
       // If error was due to bad HTTP status
       detailedError += ` (HTTP Status: ${response.status} ${response.statusText})`
     }
-    debugFn(detailedError)
+    debugFn('error', detailedError)
     return { ok: false, message: 'Download Failed', cause: detailedError }
   }
 }
@@ -541,7 +550,7 @@ async function getLastCommitDetails({
   )
 
   const commitApiUrl = `${repoApiUrl}/commits?sha=${defaultBranch}&per_page=1`
-  debugFn('url: commit', commitApiUrl)
+  debugFn('inspect', 'url: commit', commitApiUrl)
 
   const commitResponse = await fetch(commitApiUrl, {
     headers: {
@@ -550,7 +559,7 @@ async function getLastCommitDetails({
   })
 
   const commitText = await commitResponse.text()
-  debugFn('response: commit', commitText)
+  debugFn('inspect', 'response: commit', commitText)
 
   let lastCommit
   try {
@@ -645,7 +654,7 @@ async function getRepoDetails({
   CResult<{ defaultBranch: string; repoDetails: unknown; repoApiUrl: string }>
 > {
   const repoApiUrl = `${githubApiUrl}/repos/${orgGithub}/${repoSlug}`
-  debugFn('url: repo', repoApiUrl)
+  debugFn('inspect', 'url: repo', repoApiUrl)
 
   const repoDetailsResponse = await fetch(repoApiUrl, {
     method: 'GET',
@@ -656,7 +665,7 @@ async function getRepoDetails({
   logger.success(`Request completed.`)
 
   const repoDetailsText = await repoDetailsResponse.text()
-  debugFn('response: repo', repoDetailsText)
+  debugFn('inspect', 'response: repo', repoDetailsText)
 
   let repoDetails
   try {
@@ -701,7 +710,7 @@ async function getRepoBranchTree({
   )
 
   const treeApiUrl = `${repoApiUrl}/git/trees/${defaultBranch}?recursive=1`
-  debugFn('url: tree', treeApiUrl)
+  debugFn('inspect', 'url: tree', treeApiUrl)
 
   const treeResponse = await fetch(treeApiUrl, {
     method: 'GET',
@@ -711,7 +720,7 @@ async function getRepoBranchTree({
   })
 
   const treeText = await treeResponse.text()
-  debugFn('response: tree', treeText)
+  debugFn('inspect', 'response: tree', treeText)
 
   let treeDetails
   try {
@@ -745,7 +754,7 @@ async function getRepoBranchTree({
   }
 
   if (!treeDetails.tree || !Array.isArray(treeDetails.tree)) {
-    debugFn('treeDetails.tree:', treeDetails.tree)
+    debugFn('inspect', 'treeDetails.tree:', treeDetails.tree)
 
     return {
       ok: false,
diff --git a/src/commands/scan/fetch-report-data.mts b/src/commands/scan/fetch-report-data.mts
index 52b6e813a..078d3cf23 100644
--- a/src/commands/scan/fetch-report-data.mts
+++ b/src/commands/scan/fetch-report-data.mts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
+import { debugDir, debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
 import { logger } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/logger'
 
 import constants from '../../constants.mts'
@@ -80,7 +80,8 @@ export async function fetchReportData(
         return JSON.parse(line)
       } catch {
         ok = false
-        debugFn('fail: parse NDJSON\n', line)
+        debugFn('error', 'fail: parse NDJSON')
+        debugDir('inspect', { line })
         return
       }
     }) as unknown as SocketArtifact[]
diff --git a/src/commands/scan/fetch-scan.mts b/src/commands/scan/fetch-scan.mts
index b46036a47..9e259e504 100644
--- a/src/commands/scan/fetch-scan.mts
+++ b/src/commands/scan/fetch-scan.mts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
+import { debugDir, debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
 
 import { queryApiSafeText } from '../../utils/api.mts'
 
@@ -28,7 +28,8 @@ export async function fetchScan(
       return JSON.parse(line)
     } catch {
       ok = false
-      debugFn('fail: parse NDJSON\n', line)
+      debugFn('error', 'fail: parse NDJSON')
+      debugDir('inspect', { line })
       return null
     }
   }) as unknown as SocketArtifact[]
diff --git a/src/commands/wrapper/postinstall-wrapper.mts b/src/commands/wrapper/postinstall-wrapper.mts
index 4b830beb9..e624bc078 100644
--- a/src/commands/wrapper/postinstall-wrapper.mts
+++ b/src/commands/wrapper/postinstall-wrapper.mts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import fs, { existsSync } from 'node:fs'
 
-import { debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
+import { debugDir, debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
 import { logger } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/logger'
 import { confirm } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/prompts'
 
@@ -48,7 +48,8 @@ Do you want to install "safe npm" (this will create an alias to the socket-npm c
       }
     }
   } catch (e) {
-    debugFn('fail: setup tab completion\n', e)
+    debugFn('error', 'fail: setup tab completion')
+    debugDir('inspect', { error: e })
     // Ignore. Skip tab completion setup.
   }
   if (!updatedTabCompletion) {
diff --git a/src/shadow/npm/arborist-helpers.mts b/src/shadow/npm/arborist-helpers.mts
index 8963d6fdf..3a141c107 100644
--- a/src/shadow/npm/arborist-helpers.mts
+++ b/src/shadow/npm/arborist-helpers.mts
@@ -142,7 +142,11 @@ export function findPackageNodes(
 
     const { version: targetVersion } = node
     if (!targetVersion && Array.isArray(node.errors) && node.errors.length) {
-      debugFn(`miss: version for ${node.name} due to errors:\n`, node.errors)
+      debugFn(
+        'notice',
+        `miss: version for ${node.name} due to errors:\n`,
+        node.errors,
+      )
     }
     if (
       node.name === name &&
@@ -246,7 +250,7 @@ export function getDetailsFromDiff(
   const details: PackageDetail[] = []
   // `diff` is `null` when `npm install --package-lock-only` is passed.
   if (!diff) {
-    debugFn(`miss: diff is ${diff}`)
+    debugFn('notice', `miss: diff is ${diff}`)
     return details
   }
 
@@ -285,7 +289,7 @@ export function getDetailsFromDiff(
           }
         } else {
           // TODO: This debug log has too much information. We should narrow it down.
-          // debugFn('skip: meta change diff\n', diff)
+          // debugFn('notice', 'skip: meta change diff\n', diff)
         }
       } else {
         keep = action !== DiffAction.remove
diff --git a/src/utils/alerts-map.mts b/src/utils/alerts-map.mts
index ee846466c..b93e5ab95 100644
--- a/src/utils/alerts-map.mts
+++ b/src/utils/alerts-map.mts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { arrayUnique } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/arrays'
-import { debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
+import { debugDir } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
 import { logger } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/logger'
 
 import { extractPurlsFromPnpmLockfile } from './pnpm.mts'
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ export async function getAlertsMapFromPurls(
   const { spinner } = options
 
   const uniqPurls = arrayUnique(purls)
-  debugFn('inspect:', { purls: uniqPurls })
+  debugDir('inspect', { purls: uniqPurls })
 
   let { length: remaining } = uniqPurls
   const alertsByPurl: AlertsByPurl = new Map()
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ export async function getAlertsMapFromPurls(
         batchResult.error,
         batchResult.cause ? `( ${batchResult.cause} )` : '',
       )
-      debugFn('inspect:', { batchResult })
+      debugDir('inspect', { batchResult })
       break
     }
     remaining -= 1
diff --git a/src/utils/api.mts b/src/utils/api.mts
index a926ca0a1..d0752d52e 100644
--- a/src/utils/api.mts
+++ b/src/utils/api.mts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
+import { debugDir, debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
 import { logger } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/logger'
 import { isNonEmptyString } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/strings'
 
@@ -60,7 +60,8 @@ export async function handleApiCall<T extends SocketSdkOperations>(
     const message = `${e || 'No error message returned'}`
     const reason = `${e || 'No error message returned'}`
 
-    debugFn(`catch: ${fetchingDesc} error:\n`, e)
+    debugFn('error', `caught: ${fetchingDesc} error`)
+    debugDir('inspect', { error: e })
 
     return {
       ok: false,
@@ -73,11 +74,12 @@ export async function handleApiCall<T extends SocketSdkOperations>(
 
   // Note: TS can't narrow down the type of result due to generics
   if (result.success === false) {
-    const err = result as SocketSdkErrorType<T>
-    const message = `${err.error || 'No error message returned'}`
-    const { cause: reason } = err
+    const error = result as SocketSdkErrorType<T>
+    const message = `${error.error || 'No error message returned'}`
+    const { cause: reason } = error
 
-    debugFn(`fail: ${fetchingDesc} bad response:\n`, err)
+    debugFn('error', `fail: ${fetchingDesc} bad response`)
+    debugDir('inspect', { error })
 
     return {
       ok: false,
@@ -107,7 +109,8 @@ export async function handleApiCallNoSpinner<T extends SocketSdkOperations>(
     const message = `${e || 'No error message returned'}`
     const reason = `${e || 'No error message returned'}`
 
-    debugFn(`catch: ${description} error:\n`, e)
+    debugFn('error', `caught: ${description} error`)
+    debugDir('inspect', { error: e })
 
     return {
       ok: false,
@@ -118,15 +121,16 @@ export async function handleApiCallNoSpinner<T extends SocketSdkOperations>(
 
   // Note: TS can't narrow down the type of result due to generics
   if (result.success === false) {
-    const err = result as SocketSdkErrorType<T>
-    const message = `${err.error || 'No error message returned'}`
+    const error = result as SocketSdkErrorType<T>
+    const message = `${error.error || 'No error message returned'}`
 
-    debugFn(`fail: ${description} bad response:\n`, err)
+    debugFn('error', `fail: ${description} bad response`)
+    debugDir('inspect', { error })
 
     return {
       ok: false,
       message: 'Socket API returned an error',
-      cause: `${message}${err.cause ? ` ( Reason: ${err.cause} )` : ''}`,
+      cause: `${message}${error.cause ? ` ( Reason: ${error.cause} )` : ''}`,
       data: {
         code: result.status,
       },
@@ -223,7 +227,8 @@ export async function queryApiSafeText(
 
     const cause = (e as undefined | { message: string })?.message
 
-    debugFn('catch: queryApi() error\n', e)
+    debugFn('error', 'caught: queryApi() error')
+    debugDir('inspect', { error: e })
 
     return {
       ok: false,
@@ -249,7 +254,8 @@ export async function queryApiSafeText(
       data,
     }
   } catch (e) {
-    debugFn('catch: await result.text() error\n', e)
+    debugFn('error', 'caught: await result.text() error')
+    debugDir('inspect', { error: e })
 
     return {
       ok: false,
diff --git a/src/utils/config.mts b/src/utils/config.mts
index 43c1a0b48..c6c399f10 100644
--- a/src/utils/config.mts
+++ b/src/utils/config.mts
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ let _cachedConfig: LocalConfig | undefined
 let _readOnlyConfig = false
 
 export function overrideCachedConfig(jsonConfig: unknown): CResult<undefined> {
-  debugFn('override: full config (not stored)')
+  debugFn('notice', 'override: full config (not stored)')
 
   let config
   try {
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ export function overrideCachedConfig(jsonConfig: unknown): CResult<undefined> {
 }
 
 export function overrideConfigApiToken(apiToken: unknown) {
-  debugFn('override: API token (not stored)')
+  debugFn('notice', 'override: API token (not stored)')
 
   // Set token to the local cached config and mark it read-only so it doesn't persist
   _cachedConfig = {
diff --git a/src/utils/errors.mts b/src/utils/errors.mts
index c2281bad6..1a3b1a33e 100644
--- a/src/utils/errors.mts
+++ b/src/utils/errors.mts
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ export function captureExceptionSync(
   if (!Sentry) {
     return ''
   }
-  debugFn('send: exception to Sentry')
+  debugFn('notice', 'send: exception to Sentry')
   return Sentry.captureException(exception, hint) as string
 }
 
diff --git a/src/utils/package-environment.mts b/src/utils/package-environment.mts
index ba97ce717..c9ff9089f 100644
--- a/src/utils/package-environment.mts
+++ b/src/utils/package-environment.mts
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import semver from 'semver'
 import which from 'which'
 
 import { parse as parseBunLockb } from '@socketregistry/hyrious__bun.lockb/index.cjs'
-import { debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
+import { debugDir, debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
 import { Logger } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/logger'
 import { readPackageJson } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/packages'
 import { naturalCompare } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/sorts'
@@ -232,7 +232,8 @@ async function getAgentVersion(
         ).stdout,
       ) ?? undefined
   } catch (e) {
-    debugFn('catch: unexpected\n', e)
+    debugFn('error', 'caught: unexpected error')
+    debugDir('inspect', { error: e })
   }
   return result
 }
diff --git a/src/utils/path-resolve.mts b/src/utils/path-resolve.mts
index 64e3b6296..b761eb9b8 100644
--- a/src/utils/path-resolve.mts
+++ b/src/utils/path-resolve.mts
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ export async function getPackageFilesForScan(
   supportedFiles: SocketSdkReturnType<'getReportSupportedFiles'>['data'],
   config?: SocketYml | undefined,
 ): Promise<string[]> {
-  debugFn(`resolve: ${inputPaths.length} paths`, inputPaths)
+  debugFn('notice', `resolve: ${inputPaths.length} paths`, inputPaths)
 
   // Lazily access constants.spinner.
   const { spinner } = constants
@@ -113,10 +113,11 @@ export async function getPackageFilesForScan(
     socketConfig: config,
   })
 
-  if (isDebug()) {
+  if (isDebug('notice')) {
     spinner.stop()
 
     debugFn(
+      'notice',
       `Resolved ${inputPaths.length} paths to ${entries.length} local paths:\n`,
       entries,
     )
@@ -137,7 +138,7 @@ export async function getPackageFilesForScan(
     `Found ${packageFiles.length} local ${pluralize('file', packageFiles.length)}`,
   )
 
-  debugFn('paths: absolute', packageFiles)
+  debugFn('inspect', 'paths: absolute', packageFiles)
 
   return packageFiles
 }
diff --git a/src/utils/serialize-result-json.mts b/src/utils/serialize-result-json.mts
index e5b5038fd..6ef55636d 100644
--- a/src/utils/serialize-result-json.mts
+++ b/src/utils/serialize-result-json.mts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
+import { debugDir, debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
 import { logger } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/logger'
 
 import type { CResult } from '../types.mts'
@@ -8,10 +8,10 @@ import type { CResult } from '../types.mts'
 export function serializeResultJson(data: CResult<unknown>): string {
   if (typeof data !== 'object' || !data) {
     process.exitCode = 1
-    debugFn('typeof data=', typeof data)
+    debugFn('inspect', 'typeof data=', typeof data)
 
     if (typeof data !== 'object' && data) {
-      debugFn('data:\n', data)
+      debugFn('inspect', 'data:\n', data)
     }
 
     // We should not allow the json value to be "null", or a boolean/number/string,
@@ -31,13 +31,13 @@ export function serializeResultJson(data: CResult<unknown>): string {
   try {
     return JSON.stringify(data, null, 2).trim() + '\n'
   } catch (e) {
-    debugFn('catch: unexpected\n', e)
     process.exitCode = 1
 
     // This could be caused by circular references, which is an "us" problem
     const message =
       'There was a problem converting the data set to JSON. Please try again without --json'
     logger.fail(message)
+    debugDir('inspect', { error: e })
     return (
       JSON.stringify({
         ok: false,
diff --git a/src/utils/socket-package-alert.mts b/src/utils/socket-package-alert.mts
index 9cf28b289..fae2731df 100644
--- a/src/utils/socket-package-alert.mts
+++ b/src/utils/socket-package-alert.mts
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import semver from 'semver'
 import colors from 'yoctocolors-cjs'
 
 import { getManifestData } from '@socketsecurity/registry'
-import { debugFn, debugLog } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
+import { debugDir, debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
 import { hasOwn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/objects'
 import { resolvePackageName } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/packages'
 import { naturalCompare } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/sorts'
@@ -415,11 +415,11 @@ export function getCveInfoFromAlertsMap(
           }
         }
 
-        debugFn('fail: invalid SocketPackageAlert\n', alert)
+        debugFn('error', 'fail: invalid SocketPackageAlert')
+        debugDir('inspect', { alert })
 
         if (error) {
-          // Explicitly use debugLog here.
-          debugLog((error as Error).message ?? error)
+          debugDir('inspect', { error: (error as Error).message ?? error })
         }
       }
     }
diff --git a/src/utils/socketjson.mts b/src/utils/socketjson.mts
index d08951e17..96ceb1a86 100644
--- a/src/utils/socketjson.mts
+++ b/src/utils/socketjson.mts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import fs from 'node:fs'
 import path from 'node:path'
 
-import { debugFn, debugLog } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
+import { debugDir, debugFn } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/debug'
 import { logger } from '@socketsecurity/registry/lib/logger'
 
 import type { CResult } from '../types.mts'
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ export async function readSocketJson(
 ): Promise<CResult<SocketJson>> {
   const sockJsonPath = path.join(cwd, 'socket.json')
   if (!fs.existsSync(sockJsonPath)) {
-    debugFn(`miss: file not found ${sockJsonPath}`)
+    debugFn('notice', `miss: file not found ${sockJsonPath}`)
     return { ok: true, data: getDefaultSocketJson() }
   }
 
@@ -95,8 +95,7 @@ export async function readSocketJson(
   try {
     json = await fs.promises.readFile(sockJsonPath, 'utf8')
   } catch (e) {
-    debugLog('[DEBUG] Raw error:')
-    debugLog(e)
+    debugDir('inspect', { error: e })
 
     if (defaultOnError) {
       logger.warn('Warning: failed to read file, using default')
@@ -114,7 +113,8 @@ export async function readSocketJson(
   try {
     obj = JSON.parse(json)
   } catch {
-    debugFn('fail: parse JSON\n', json)
+    debugFn('error', 'fail: parse JSON')
+    debugDir('inspect', { json })
 
     if (defaultOnError) {
       logger.warn('Warning: failed to parse file, using default')
@@ -147,8 +147,9 @@ export async function writeSocketJson(
   try {
     json = JSON.stringify(sockJson, null, 2)
   } catch (e) {
-    debugFn('fail: stringify JSON\n', e)
-    debugLog('[DEBUG] Object:\n', sockJson)
+    debugFn('error', 'fail: stringify JSON')
+    debugDir('inspect', { error: e })
+    debugDir('inspect', { sockJson })
     return {
       ok: false,
       message: 'Failed to serialize to JSON',