1. In a distributed system that includes at least a debug initiator, a method for configuring debug functions that are to be performed at a message recipient, the method comprising the following: an act of accessing a message that originated at a message initiator; an act of inserting debug controls into the message that, if triggered, will cause one or more message recipients to perform debug functions indicated by the debug controls; and an act of routing the message to a message processor designated in the message.