Merge branch 'master' of github.com:NixOS/nix into better-ca-parse-errors

28 files changed, 507 insertions, 239 deletions

diff --git a/src/libexpr/attr-path.cc b/src/libexpr/attr-path.cc
index 2e2a17b14..83854df49 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/attr-path.cc
+++ b/src/libexpr/attr-path.cc
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ Pos findDerivationFilename(EvalState & state, Value & v, std::string what)
 
     Symbol file = state.symbols.create(filename);
 
-    return { file, lineno, 0 };
+    return { foFile, file, lineno, 0 };
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/libexpr/attr-set.hh b/src/libexpr/attr-set.hh
index c601d09c2..7eaa16c59 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/attr-set.hh
+++ b/src/libexpr/attr-set.hh
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ public:
         if (!a)
             throw Error({
                 .hint = hintfmt("attribute '%s' missing", name),
-                .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+                .errPos = pos
             });
 
         return *a;
diff --git a/src/libexpr/eval-inline.hh b/src/libexpr/eval-inline.hh
index 3d544c903..30f6ec7db 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/eval-inline.hh
+++ b/src/libexpr/eval-inline.hh
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ LocalNoInlineNoReturn(void throwEvalError(const Pos & pos, const char * s))
 {
     throw EvalError({
         .hint = hintfmt(s),
-        .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+        .errPos = pos
     });
 }
 
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ LocalNoInlineNoReturn(void throwTypeError(const Pos & pos, const char * s, const
 {
     throw TypeError({
         .hint = hintfmt(s, showType(v)),
-        .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+        .errPos = pos
     });
 }
 
diff --git a/src/libexpr/eval.cc b/src/libexpr/eval.cc
index b90a64357..c1a9af9b2 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/eval.cc
+++ b/src/libexpr/eval.cc
@@ -529,7 +529,7 @@ LocalNoInlineNoReturn(void throwEvalError(const Pos & pos, const char * s, const
 {
     throw EvalError({
         .hint = hintfmt(s, s2),
-        .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+        .errPos = pos
     });
 }
 
@@ -542,7 +542,7 @@ LocalNoInlineNoReturn(void throwEvalError(const Pos & pos, const char * s, const
 {
     throw EvalError({
         .hint = hintfmt(s, s2, s3),
-        .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+        .errPos = pos
     });
 }
 
@@ -551,7 +551,7 @@ LocalNoInlineNoReturn(void throwEvalError(const Pos & p1, const char * s, const
     // p1 is where the error occurred; p2 is a position mentioned in the message.
     throw EvalError({
         .hint = hintfmt(s, sym, p2),
-        .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = p1 }
+        .errPos = p1
     });
 }
 
@@ -559,7 +559,7 @@ LocalNoInlineNoReturn(void throwTypeError(const Pos & pos, const char * s))
 {
     throw TypeError({
         .hint = hintfmt(s),
-        .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+        .errPos = pos
     });
 }
 
@@ -572,7 +572,7 @@ LocalNoInlineNoReturn(void throwTypeError(const Pos & pos, const char * s, const
 {
     throw TypeError({
         .hint = hintfmt(s, fun.showNamePos(), s2),
-        .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+        .errPos = pos
     });
 }
 
@@ -580,7 +580,7 @@ LocalNoInlineNoReturn(void throwAssertionError(const Pos & pos, const char * s,
 {
     throw AssertionError({
         .hint = hintfmt(s, s1),
-        .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+        .errPos = pos
     });
 }
 
@@ -588,23 +588,18 @@ LocalNoInlineNoReturn(void throwUndefinedVarError(const Pos & pos, const char *
 {
     throw UndefinedVarError({
         .hint = hintfmt(s, s1),
-        .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+        .errPos = pos
     });
 }
 
-LocalNoInline(void addErrorPrefix(Error & e, const char * s, const string & s2))
+LocalNoInline(void addErrorTrace(Error & e, const char * s, const string & s2))
 {
-    e.addPrefix(format(s) % s2);
+    e.addTrace(std::nullopt, s, s2);
 }
 
-LocalNoInline(void addErrorPrefix(Error & e, const char * s, const ExprLambda & fun, const Pos & pos))
+LocalNoInline(void addErrorTrace(Error & e, const Pos & pos, const char * s, const string & s2))
 {
-    e.addPrefix(format(s) % fun.showNamePos() % pos);
-}
-
-LocalNoInline(void addErrorPrefix(Error & e, const char * s, const string & s2, const Pos & pos))
-{
-    e.addPrefix(format(s) % s2 % pos);
+    e.addTrace(pos, s, s2);
 }
 
 
@@ -818,7 +813,7 @@ void EvalState::evalFile(const Path & path_, Value & v)
     try {
         eval(e, v);
     } catch (Error & e) {
-        addErrorPrefix(e, "while evaluating the file '%1%':\n", path2);
+        addErrorTrace(e, "while evaluating the file '%1%':", path2);
         throw;
     }
 
@@ -1068,8 +1063,8 @@ void ExprSelect::eval(EvalState & state, Env & env, Value & v)
 
     } catch (Error & e) {
         if (pos2 && pos2->file != state.sDerivationNix)
-            addErrorPrefix(e, "while evaluating the attribute '%1%' at %2%:\n",
-                showAttrPath(state, env, attrPath), *pos2);
+            addErrorTrace(e, *pos2, "while evaluating the attribute '%1%'",
+                showAttrPath(state, env, attrPath));
         throw;
     }
 
@@ -1237,11 +1232,15 @@ void EvalState::callFunction(Value & fun, Value & arg, Value & v, const Pos & po
 
     /* Evaluate the body.  This is conditional on showTrace, because
        catching exceptions makes this function not tail-recursive. */
-    if (settings.showTrace)
+    if (loggerSettings.showTrace.get())
         try {
             lambda.body->eval(*this, env2, v);
         } catch (Error & e) {
-            addErrorPrefix(e, "while evaluating %1%, called from %2%:\n", lambda, pos);
+            addErrorTrace(e, lambda.pos, "while evaluating %s", 
+              (lambda.name.set() 
+                  ? "'" + (string) lambda.name + "'" 
+                  : "anonymous lambdaction"));
+            addErrorTrace(e, pos, "from call site%s", "");
             throw;
         }
     else
@@ -1516,7 +1515,7 @@ void EvalState::forceValueDeep(Value & v)
                 try {
                     recurse(*i.value);
                 } catch (Error & e) {
-                    addErrorPrefix(e, "while evaluating the attribute '%1%' at %2%:\n", i.name, *i.pos);
+                    addErrorTrace(e, *i.pos, "while evaluating the attribute '%1%'", i.name);
                     throw;
                 }
         }
@@ -1936,7 +1935,7 @@ string ExternalValueBase::coerceToString(const Pos & pos, PathSet & context, boo
 {
     throw TypeError({
         .hint = hintfmt("cannot coerce %1% to a string", showType()),
-        .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+        .errPos = pos
     });
 }
 
diff --git a/src/libexpr/eval.hh b/src/libexpr/eval.hh
index 863365259..0d52a7f63 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/eval.hh
+++ b/src/libexpr/eval.hh
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ private:
     friend struct ExprAttrs;
     friend struct ExprLet;
 
-    Expr * parse(const char * text, const Path & path,
+    Expr * parse(const char * text, FileOrigin origin, const Path & path,
         const Path & basePath, StaticEnv & staticEnv);
 
 public:
diff --git a/src/libexpr/nixexpr.cc b/src/libexpr/nixexpr.cc
index b4b65883d..d5698011f 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/nixexpr.cc
+++ b/src/libexpr/nixexpr.cc
@@ -197,7 +197,22 @@ std::ostream & operator << (std::ostream & str, const Pos & pos)
     if (!pos)
         str << "undefined position";
     else
-        str << (format(ANSI_BOLD "%1%" ANSI_NORMAL ":%2%:%3%") % (string) pos.file % pos.line % pos.column).str();
+    {
+        auto f = format(ANSI_BOLD "%1%" ANSI_NORMAL ":%2%:%3%");
+        switch (pos.origin) {
+            case foFile:
+                f % (string) pos.file;
+                break;
+            case foStdin:
+            case foString:
+                f % "(string)";
+                break;
+            default:
+                throw Error("unhandled Pos origin!");
+        }
+        str << (f % pos.line % pos.column).str();
+    }
+
     return str;
 }
 
@@ -270,7 +285,7 @@ void ExprVar::bindVars(const StaticEnv & env)
     if (withLevel == -1)
         throw UndefinedVarError({
             .hint = hintfmt("undefined variable '%1%'", name),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
     fromWith = true;
     this->level = withLevel;
diff --git a/src/libexpr/nixexpr.hh b/src/libexpr/nixexpr.hh
index ec6fd3190..e4cbc660f 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/nixexpr.hh
+++ b/src/libexpr/nixexpr.hh
@@ -24,11 +24,12 @@ MakeError(RestrictedPathError, Error);
 
 struct Pos
 {
+    FileOrigin origin;
     Symbol file;
     unsigned int line, column;
-    Pos() : line(0), column(0) { };
-    Pos(const Symbol & file, unsigned int line, unsigned int column)
-        : file(file), line(line), column(column) { };
+    Pos() : origin(foString), line(0), column(0) { };
+    Pos(FileOrigin origin, const Symbol & file, unsigned int line, unsigned int column)
+        : origin(origin), file(file), line(line), column(column) { };
     operator bool() const
     {
         return line != 0;
@@ -238,7 +239,7 @@ struct ExprLambda : Expr
         if (!arg.empty() && formals && formals->argNames.find(arg) != formals->argNames.end())
             throw ParseError({
                 .hint = hintfmt("duplicate formal function argument '%1%'", arg),
-                .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+                .errPos = pos
             });
     };
     void setName(Symbol & name);
diff --git a/src/libexpr/parser.y b/src/libexpr/parser.y
index a639be64e..878f06c96 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/parser.y
+++ b/src/libexpr/parser.y
@@ -30,7 +30,8 @@ namespace nix {
         SymbolTable & symbols;
         Expr * result;
         Path basePath;
-        Symbol path;
+        Symbol file;
+        FileOrigin origin;
         ErrorInfo error;
         Symbol sLetBody;
         ParseData(EvalState & state)
@@ -65,18 +66,17 @@ namespace nix {
 static void dupAttr(const AttrPath & attrPath, const Pos & pos, const Pos & prevPos)
 {
     throw ParseError({
-        .hint = hintfmt("attribute '%1%' already defined at %2%",
+         .hint = hintfmt("attribute '%1%' already defined at %2%",
             showAttrPath(attrPath), prevPos),
-        .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos },
+         .errPos = pos
     });
 }
 
-
 static void dupAttr(Symbol attr, const Pos & pos, const Pos & prevPos)
 {
     throw ParseError({
         .hint = hintfmt("attribute '%1%' already defined at %2%", attr, prevPos),
-        .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos },
+        .errPos = pos
     });
 }
 
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ static void addFormal(const Pos & pos, Formals * formals, const Formal & formal)
         throw ParseError({
             .hint = hintfmt("duplicate formal function argument '%1%'",
                 formal.name),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos },
+            .errPos = pos
         });
     formals->formals.push_front(formal);
 }
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ static Expr * stripIndentation(const Pos & pos, SymbolTable & symbols, vector<Ex
 
 static inline Pos makeCurPos(const YYLTYPE & loc, ParseData * data)
 {
-    return Pos(data->path, loc.first_line, loc.first_column);
+    return Pos(data->origin, data->file, loc.first_line, loc.first_column);
 }
 
 #define CUR_POS makeCurPos(*yylocp, data)
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ void yyerror(YYLTYPE * loc, yyscan_t scanner, ParseData * data, const char * err
 {
     data->error = {
         .hint = hintfmt(error),
-        .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = makeCurPos(*loc, data) }
+        .errPos = makeCurPos(*loc, data)
     };
 }
 
@@ -339,7 +339,7 @@ expr_function
     { if (!$2->dynamicAttrs.empty())
         throw ParseError({
             .hint = hintfmt("dynamic attributes not allowed in let"),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = CUR_POS },
+            .errPos = CUR_POS
         });
       $$ = new ExprLet($2, $4);
     }
@@ -419,7 +419,7 @@ expr_simple
       if (noURLLiterals)
           throw ParseError({
               .hint = hintfmt("URL literals are disabled"),
-              .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = CUR_POS }
+              .errPos = CUR_POS
           });
       $$ = new ExprString(data->symbols.create($1));
   }
@@ -492,7 +492,7 @@ attrs
       } else
           throw ParseError({
               .hint = hintfmt("dynamic attributes not allowed in inherit"),
-              .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = makeCurPos(@2, data) },
+              .errPos = makeCurPos(@2, data)
           });
     }
   | { $$ = new AttrPath; }
@@ -569,13 +569,24 @@ formal
 namespace nix {
 
 
-Expr * EvalState::parse(const char * text,
+Expr * EvalState::parse(const char * text, FileOrigin origin,
     const Path & path, const Path & basePath, StaticEnv & staticEnv)
 {
     yyscan_t scanner;
     ParseData data(*this);
+    data.origin = origin;
+    switch (origin) {
+        case foFile: 
+            data.file = data.symbols.create(path);
+            break;
+        case foStdin:
+        case foString:
+            data.file = data.symbols.create(text);
+            break;
+        default:
+            assert(false);
+    }
     data.basePath = basePath;
-    data.path = data.symbols.create(path);
 
     yylex_init(&scanner);
     yy_scan_string(text, scanner);
@@ -625,13 +636,13 @@ Expr * EvalState::parseExprFromFile(const Path & path)
 
 Expr * EvalState::parseExprFromFile(const Path & path, StaticEnv & staticEnv)
 {
-    return parse(readFile(path).c_str(), path, dirOf(path), staticEnv);
+    return parse(readFile(path).c_str(), foFile, path, dirOf(path), staticEnv);
 }
 
 
 Expr * EvalState::parseExprFromString(std::string_view s, const Path & basePath, StaticEnv & staticEnv)
 {
-    return parse(s.data(), "(string)", basePath, staticEnv);
+    return parse(s.data(), foString, "", basePath, staticEnv);
 }
 
 
@@ -644,7 +655,7 @@ Expr * EvalState::parseExprFromString(std::string_view s, const Path & basePath)
 Expr * EvalState::parseStdin()
 {
     //Activity act(*logger, lvlTalkative, format("parsing standard input"));
-    return parseExprFromString(drainFD(0), absPath("."));
+    return parse(drainFD(0).data(), foStdin, "", absPath("."), staticBaseEnv);
 }
 
 
@@ -693,7 +704,7 @@ Path EvalState::findFile(SearchPath & searchPath, const string & path, const Pos
             ? "cannot look up '<%s>' in pure evaluation mode (use '--impure' to override)"
             : "file '%s' was not found in the Nix search path (add it using $NIX_PATH or -I)",
             path),
-        .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+        .errPos = pos
     });
 }
 
diff --git a/src/libexpr/primops.cc b/src/libexpr/primops.cc
index fbd3e62fa..138e00f48 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/primops.cc
+++ b/src/libexpr/primops.cc
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ static void prim_scopedImport(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args
     } catch (InvalidPathError & e) {
         throw EvalError({
             .hint = hintfmt("cannot import '%1%', since path '%2%' is not valid", path, e.path),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
     }
 
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ void prim_importNative(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value
             .hint = hintfmt(
                 "cannot import '%1%', since path '%2%' is not valid",
                 path, e.path),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
     }
 
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ void prim_exec(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value & v)
     if (count == 0) {
         throw EvalError({
             .hint = hintfmt("at least one argument to 'exec' required"),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
     }
     PathSet context;
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ void prim_exec(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value & v)
         throw EvalError({
             .hint = hintfmt("cannot execute '%1%', since path '%2%' is not valid",
                 program, e.path),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
     }
 
@@ -239,13 +239,13 @@ void prim_exec(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value & v)
     try {
         parsed = state.parseExprFromString(output, pos.file);
     } catch (Error & e) {
-        e.addPrefix(fmt("While parsing the output from '%1%', at %2%\n", program, pos));
+        e.addTrace(pos, "While parsing the output from '%1%'", program);
         throw;
     }
     try {
         state.eval(parsed, v);
     } catch (Error & e) {
-        e.addPrefix(fmt("While evaluating the output from '%1%', at %2%\n", program, pos));
+        e.addTrace(pos, "While evaluating the output from '%1%'", program);
         throw;
     }
 }
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ static void prim_genericClosure(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * ar
     if (startSet == args[0]->attrs->end())
         throw EvalError({
             .hint = hintfmt("attribute 'startSet' required"),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
     state.forceList(*startSet->value, pos);
 
@@ -399,7 +399,7 @@ static void prim_genericClosure(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * ar
     if (op == args[0]->attrs->end())
         throw EvalError({
             .hint = hintfmt("attribute 'operator' required"),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
     state.forceValue(*op->value, pos);
 
@@ -421,7 +421,7 @@ static void prim_genericClosure(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * ar
         if (key == e->attrs->end())
             throw EvalError({
                 .hint = hintfmt("attribute 'key' required"),
-                .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+                .errPos = pos
             });
         state.forceValue(*key->value, pos);
 
@@ -471,7 +471,7 @@ static void prim_addErrorContext(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * a
         v = *args[1];
     } catch (Error & e) {
         PathSet context;
-        e.addPrefix(format("%1%\n") % state.coerceToString(pos, *args[0], context));
+        e.addTrace(std::nullopt, state.coerceToString(pos, *args[0], context));
         throw;
     }
 }
@@ -556,14 +556,14 @@ static void prim_derivationStrict(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * *
     if (attr == args[0]->attrs->end())
         throw EvalError({
             .hint = hintfmt("required attribute 'name' missing"),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
     string drvName;
     Pos & posDrvName(*attr->pos);
     try {
         drvName = state.forceStringNoCtx(*attr->value, pos);
     } catch (Error & e) {
-        e.addPrefix(fmt("while evaluating the derivation attribute 'name' at %1%:\n", posDrvName));
+        e.addTrace(posDrvName, "while evaluating the derivation attribute 'name'");
         throw;
     }
 
@@ -603,7 +603,7 @@ static void prim_derivationStrict(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * *
             else
                 throw EvalError({
                     .hint = hintfmt("invalid value '%s' for 'outputHashMode' attribute", s),
-                    .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = posDrvName }
+                    .errPos = posDrvName
                 });
         };
 
@@ -613,7 +613,7 @@ static void prim_derivationStrict(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * *
                 if (outputs.find(j) != outputs.end())
                     throw EvalError({
                         .hint = hintfmt("duplicate derivation output '%1%'", j),
-                        .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = posDrvName }
+                        .errPos = posDrvName
                     });
                 /* !!! Check whether j is a valid attribute
                    name. */
@@ -623,14 +623,14 @@ static void prim_derivationStrict(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * *
                 if (j == "drv")
                     throw EvalError({
                         .hint = hintfmt("invalid derivation output name 'drv'" ),
-                        .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = posDrvName }
+                        .errPos = posDrvName
                     });
                 outputs.insert(j);
             }
             if (outputs.empty())
                 throw EvalError({
                     .hint = hintfmt("derivation cannot have an empty set of outputs"),
-                    .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = posDrvName }
+                    .errPos = posDrvName
                 });
         };
 
@@ -696,8 +696,9 @@ static void prim_derivationStrict(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * *
             }
 
         } catch (Error & e) {
-            e.addPrefix(format("while evaluating the attribute '%1%' of the derivation '%2%' at %3%:\n")
-                % key % drvName % posDrvName);
+            e.addTrace(posDrvName, 
+                "while evaluating the attribute '%1%' of the derivation '%2%'",
+                key, drvName);
             throw;
         }
     }
@@ -745,20 +746,20 @@ static void prim_derivationStrict(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * *
     if (drv.builder == "")
         throw EvalError({
             .hint = hintfmt("required attribute 'builder' missing"),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = posDrvName }
+            .errPos = posDrvName
         });
 
     if (drv.platform == "")
         throw EvalError({
             .hint = hintfmt("required attribute 'system' missing"),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = posDrvName }
+            .errPos = posDrvName
         });
 
     /* Check whether the derivation name is valid. */
     if (isDerivation(drvName))
         throw EvalError({
             .hint = hintfmt("derivation names are not allowed to end in '%s'", drvExtension),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = posDrvName }
+            .errPos = posDrvName
         });
 
     if (outputHash) {
@@ -766,7 +767,7 @@ static void prim_derivationStrict(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * *
         if (outputs.size() != 1 || *(outputs.begin()) != "out")
             throw Error({
                 .hint = hintfmt("multiple outputs are not supported in fixed-output derivations"),
-                .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = posDrvName }
+                .errPos = posDrvName
             });
 
         std::optional<HashType> ht = parseHashTypeOpt(outputHashAlgo);
@@ -880,7 +881,7 @@ static void prim_storePath(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, V
     if (!state.store->isInStore(path))
         throw EvalError({
             .hint = hintfmt("path '%1%' is not in the Nix store", path),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
     Path path2 = state.store->toStorePath(path);
     if (!settings.readOnlyMode)
@@ -901,7 +902,7 @@ static void prim_pathExists(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args,
             .hint = hintfmt(
                 "cannot check the existence of '%1%', since path '%2%' is not valid",
                 path, e.path),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
     }
 
@@ -947,7 +948,7 @@ static void prim_readFile(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Va
     } catch (InvalidPathError & e) {
         throw EvalError({
             .hint = hintfmt("cannot read '%1%', since path '%2%' is not valid", path, e.path),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
     }
     string s = readFile(state.checkSourcePath(state.toRealPath(path, context)));
@@ -978,7 +979,7 @@ static void prim_findFile(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Va
         if (i == v2.attrs->end())
             throw EvalError({
                 .hint = hintfmt("attribute 'path' missing"),
-                .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+                .errPos = pos
             });
 
         PathSet context;
@@ -989,7 +990,7 @@ static void prim_findFile(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Va
         } catch (InvalidPathError & e) {
             throw EvalError({
                 .hint = hintfmt("cannot find '%1%', since path '%2%' is not valid", path, e.path),
-                .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+                .errPos = pos
             });
         }
 
@@ -1009,7 +1010,7 @@ static void prim_hashFile(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Va
     if (!ht)
       throw Error({
           .hint = hintfmt("unknown hash type '%1%'", type),
-          .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+          .errPos = pos
       });
 
     PathSet context; // discarded
@@ -1028,7 +1029,7 @@ static void prim_readDir(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Val
     } catch (InvalidPathError & e) {
         throw EvalError({
             .hint = hintfmt("cannot read '%1%', since path '%2%' is not valid", path, e.path),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
     }
 
@@ -1104,7 +1105,7 @@ static void prim_toFile(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Valu
                     "in 'toFile': the file named '%1%' must not contain a reference "
                     "to a derivation but contains (%2%)",
                     name, path),
-                .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+                .errPos = pos
             });
         refs.insert(state.store->parseStorePath(path));
     }
@@ -1175,7 +1176,7 @@ static void prim_filterSource(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args
     if (!context.empty())
         throw EvalError({
             .hint = hintfmt("string '%1%' cannot refer to other paths", path),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
 
     state.forceValue(*args[0], pos);
@@ -1184,7 +1185,7 @@ static void prim_filterSource(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args
             .hint = hintfmt(
                 "first argument in call to 'filterSource' is not a function but %1%",
                 showType(*args[0])),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
 
     addPath(state, pos, std::string(baseNameOf(path)), path, args[0], FileIngestionMethod::Recursive, std::nullopt, v);
@@ -1207,7 +1208,7 @@ static void prim_path(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value
             if (!context.empty())
                 throw EvalError({
                     .hint = hintfmt("string '%1%' cannot refer to other paths", path),
-                    .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = *attr.pos }
+                    .errPos = *attr.pos
                 });
         } else if (attr.name == state.sName)
             name = state.forceStringNoCtx(*attr.value, *attr.pos);
@@ -1221,13 +1222,13 @@ static void prim_path(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value
         else
             throw EvalError({
                 .hint = hintfmt("unsupported argument '%1%' to 'addPath'", attr.name),
-                .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = *attr.pos }
+                .errPos = *attr.pos
             });
     }
     if (path.empty())
         throw EvalError({
             .hint = hintfmt("'path' required"),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
     if (name.empty())
         name = baseNameOf(path);
@@ -1288,7 +1289,7 @@ void prim_getAttr(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value & v)
     if (i == args[1]->attrs->end())
         throw EvalError({
             .hint = hintfmt("attribute '%1%' missing", attr),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
     // !!! add to stack trace?
     if (state.countCalls && i->pos) state.attrSelects[*i->pos]++;
@@ -1371,7 +1372,7 @@ static void prim_listToAttrs(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args,
         if (j == v2.attrs->end())
             throw TypeError({
                 .hint = hintfmt("'name' attribute missing in a call to 'listToAttrs'"),
-                .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+                .errPos = pos
             });
         string name = state.forceStringNoCtx(*j->value, pos);
 
@@ -1381,7 +1382,7 @@ static void prim_listToAttrs(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args,
             if (j2 == v2.attrs->end())
                 throw TypeError({
                     .hint = hintfmt("'value' attribute missing in a call to 'listToAttrs'"),
-                    .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+                    .errPos = pos
                 });
             v.attrs->push_back(Attr(sym, j2->value, j2->pos));
         }
@@ -1457,7 +1458,7 @@ static void prim_functionArgs(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args
     if (args[0]->type != tLambda)
         throw TypeError({
             .hint = hintfmt("'functionArgs' requires a function"),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
 
     if (!args[0]->lambda.fun->matchAttrs) {
@@ -1513,7 +1514,7 @@ static void elemAt(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value & list, int n, Valu
     if (n < 0 || (unsigned int) n >= list.listSize())
         throw Error({
             .hint = hintfmt("list index %1% is out of bounds", n),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
     state.forceValue(*list.listElems()[n], pos);
     v = *list.listElems()[n];
@@ -1543,7 +1544,7 @@ static void prim_tail(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value
     if (args[0]->listSize() == 0)
         throw Error({
             .hint = hintfmt("'tail' called on an empty list"),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
 
     state.mkList(v, args[0]->listSize() - 1);
@@ -1688,7 +1689,7 @@ static void prim_genList(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Val
     if (len < 0)
         throw EvalError({
             .hint = hintfmt("cannot create list of size %1%", len),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
 
     state.mkList(v, len);
@@ -1850,7 +1851,7 @@ static void prim_div(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value &
     if (f2 == 0)
         throw EvalError({
             .hint = hintfmt("division by zero"),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
 
     if (args[0]->type == tFloat || args[1]->type == tFloat) {
@@ -1862,7 +1863,7 @@ static void prim_div(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value &
         if (i1 == std::numeric_limits<NixInt>::min() && i2 == -1)
             throw EvalError({
                 .hint = hintfmt("overflow in integer division"),
-                .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+                .errPos = pos
             });
 
         mkInt(v, i1 / i2);
@@ -1923,7 +1924,7 @@ static void prim_substring(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, V
     if (start < 0)
         throw EvalError({
             .hint = hintfmt("negative start position in 'substring'"),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
 
     mkString(v, (unsigned int) start >= s.size() ? "" : string(s, start, len), context);
@@ -1946,7 +1947,7 @@ static void prim_hashString(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args,
     if (!ht)
         throw Error({
             .hint = hintfmt("unknown hash type '%1%'", type),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
 
     PathSet context; // discarded
@@ -1992,12 +1993,12 @@ void prim_match(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value & v)
             // limit is _GLIBCXX_REGEX_STATE_LIMIT for libstdc++
             throw EvalError({
                 .hint = hintfmt("memory limit exceeded by regular expression '%s'", re),
-                .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+                .errPos = pos
             });
         } else {
             throw EvalError({
                 .hint = hintfmt("invalid regular expression '%s'", re),
-                .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+                .errPos = pos
             });
         }
     }
@@ -2065,12 +2066,12 @@ static void prim_split(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value
             // limit is _GLIBCXX_REGEX_STATE_LIMIT for libstdc++
             throw EvalError({
                 .hint = hintfmt("memory limit exceeded by regular expression '%s'", re),
-                .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+                .errPos = pos
             });
         } else {
             throw EvalError({
                 .hint = hintfmt("invalid regular expression '%s'", re),
-                .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+                .errPos = pos
             });
         }
     }
@@ -2104,7 +2105,7 @@ static void prim_replaceStrings(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * ar
     if (args[0]->listSize() != args[1]->listSize())
         throw EvalError({
             .hint = hintfmt("'from' and 'to' arguments to 'replaceStrings' have different lengths"),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
 
     vector<string> from;
diff --git a/src/libexpr/primops/context.cc b/src/libexpr/primops/context.cc
index 301e8c5dd..dbb93bae6 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/primops/context.cc
+++ b/src/libexpr/primops/context.cc
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ static void prim_appendContext(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * arg
         if (!state.store->isStorePath(i.name))
             throw EvalError({
                 .hint = hintfmt("Context key '%s' is not a store path", i.name),
-                .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = *i.pos }
+                .errPos = *i.pos
             });
         if (!settings.readOnlyMode)
             state.store->ensurePath(state.store->parseStorePath(i.name));
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ static void prim_appendContext(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * arg
                 if (!isDerivation(i.name)) {
                     throw EvalError({
                         .hint = hintfmt("Tried to add all-outputs context of %s, which is not a derivation, to a string", i.name),
-                        .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = *i.pos }
+                        .errPos = *i.pos
                     });
                 }
                 context.insert("=" + string(i.name));
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ static void prim_appendContext(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * arg
             if (iter->value->listSize() && !isDerivation(i.name)) {
                 throw EvalError({
                     .hint = hintfmt("Tried to add derivation output context of %s, which is not a derivation, to a string", i.name),
-                    .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = *i.pos }
+                    .errPos = *i.pos
                 });
             }
             for (unsigned int n = 0; n < iter->value->listSize(); ++n) {
diff --git a/src/libexpr/primops/fetchGit.cc b/src/libexpr/primops/fetchGit.cc
index 0421318d1..9b9754e25 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/primops/fetchGit.cc
+++ b/src/libexpr/primops/fetchGit.cc
@@ -37,14 +37,14 @@ static void prim_fetchGit(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Va
             else
                 throw EvalError({
                     .hint = hintfmt("unsupported argument '%s' to 'fetchGit'", attr.name),
-                    .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = *attr.pos }
+                    .errPos = *attr.pos
                 });
         }
 
         if (url.empty())
             throw EvalError({
                 .hint = hintfmt("'url' argument required"),
-                .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+                .errPos = pos
             });
 
     } else
diff --git a/src/libexpr/primops/fetchMercurial.cc b/src/libexpr/primops/fetchMercurial.cc
index 236219a6f..d2340f4ca 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/primops/fetchMercurial.cc
+++ b/src/libexpr/primops/fetchMercurial.cc
@@ -40,14 +40,14 @@ static void prim_fetchMercurial(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * ar
             else
                 throw EvalError({
                     .hint = hintfmt("unsupported argument '%s' to 'fetchMercurial'", attr.name),
-                    .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = *attr.pos }
+                    .errPos = *attr.pos
                 });
         }
 
         if (url.empty())
             throw EvalError({
                 .hint = hintfmt("'url' argument required"),
-                .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+                .errPos = pos
             });
 
     } else
diff --git a/src/libexpr/primops/fetchTree.cc b/src/libexpr/primops/fetchTree.cc
index d23d47592..f6d8cca44 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/primops/fetchTree.cc
+++ b/src/libexpr/primops/fetchTree.cc
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ static void prim_fetchTree(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, V
         if (!attrs.count("type"))
             throw Error({
                 .hint = hintfmt("attribute 'type' is missing in call to 'fetchTree'"),
-                .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+                .errPos = pos
             });
 
         input = fetchers::inputFromAttrs(attrs);
@@ -112,14 +112,14 @@ static void fetch(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value & v,
             else
                 throw EvalError({
                     .hint = hintfmt("unsupported argument '%s' to '%s'", attr.name, who),
-                    .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = *attr.pos }
+                    .errPos = *attr.pos
                 });
             }
 
         if (!url)
             throw EvalError({
                 .hint = hintfmt("'url' argument required"),
-                .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+                .errPos = pos
             });
     } else
         url = state.forceStringNoCtx(*args[0], pos);
diff --git a/src/libexpr/primops/fromTOML.cc b/src/libexpr/primops/fromTOML.cc
index 7615d1379..b00827a4b 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/primops/fromTOML.cc
+++ b/src/libexpr/primops/fromTOML.cc
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ static void prim_fromTOML(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Va
     } catch (std::runtime_error & e) {
         throw EvalError({
             .hint = hintfmt("while parsing a TOML string: %s", e.what()),
-            .nixCode = NixCode { .errPos = pos }
+            .errPos = pos
         });
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/libmain/loggers.cc b/src/libmain/loggers.cc
index c44bb6408..fa18f991d 100644
--- a/src/libmain/loggers.cc
+++ b/src/libmain/loggers.cc
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ Logger * makeDefaultLogger() {
     case LogFormat::rawWithLogs:
         return makeSimpleLogger(true);
     case LogFormat::internalJson:
-        return makeJSONLogger(*makeSimpleLogger());
+        return makeJSONLogger(*makeSimpleLogger(true));
     case LogFormat::bar:
         return makeProgressBar();
     case LogFormat::barWithLogs:
diff --git a/src/libmain/progress-bar.cc b/src/libmain/progress-bar.cc
index 95a9187de..3f7d99a1d 100644
--- a/src/libmain/progress-bar.cc
+++ b/src/libmain/progress-bar.cc
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ public:
         auto state(state_.lock());
 
         std::stringstream oss;
-        oss << ei;
+        showErrorInfo(oss, ei, loggerSettings.showTrace.get());
 
         log(*state, ei.level, oss.str());
     }
diff --git a/src/libmain/shared.cc b/src/libmain/shared.cc
index 1cb422967..52718c231 100644
--- a/src/libmain/shared.cc
+++ b/src/libmain/shared.cc
@@ -323,10 +323,8 @@ int handleExceptions(const string & programName, std::function<void()> fun)
         printError("Try '%1% --help' for more information.", programName);
         return 1;
     } catch (BaseError & e) {
-        if (settings.showTrace && e.prefix() != "")
-            printError(e.prefix());
         logError(e.info());
-        if (e.prefix() != "" && !settings.showTrace)
+        if (e.hasTrace() && !loggerSettings.showTrace.get())
             printError("(use '--show-trace' to show detailed location information)");
         return e.status;
     } catch (std::bad_alloc & e) {
diff --git a/src/libstore/daemon.cc b/src/libstore/daemon.cc
index cee5cd484..c844583e2 100644
--- a/src/libstore/daemon.cc
+++ b/src/libstore/daemon.cc
@@ -78,10 +78,10 @@ struct TunnelLogger : public Logger
         if (ei.level > verbosity) return;
 
         std::stringstream oss;
-        oss << ei;
+        showErrorInfo(oss, ei, false);
 
         StringSink buf;
-        buf << STDERR_NEXT << oss.str() << "\n"; // (fs.s + "\n");
+        buf << STDERR_NEXT << oss.str() << "\n";
         enqueueMsg(*buf.s);
     }
 
diff --git a/src/libstore/globals.hh b/src/libstore/globals.hh
index 2fbcafff8..58cf08763 100644
--- a/src/libstore/globals.hh
+++ b/src/libstore/globals.hh
@@ -196,10 +196,6 @@ public:
     /* Whether to lock the Nix client and worker to the same CPU. */
     bool lockCPU;
 
-    /* Whether to show a stack trace if Nix evaluation fails. */
-    Setting<bool> showTrace{this, false, "show-trace",
-        "Whether to show a stack trace on evaluation errors."};
-
     Setting<SandboxMode> sandboxMode{this,
         #if __linux__
           smEnabled
diff --git a/src/libstore/remote-store.cc b/src/libstore/remote-store.cc
index 56e5fe958..f74d87880 100644
--- a/src/libstore/remote-store.cc
+++ b/src/libstore/remote-store.cc
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 #include "derivations.hh"
 #include "pool.hh"
 #include "finally.hh"
+#include "logging.hh"
 
 #include <sys/types.h>
 #include <sys/stat.h>
@@ -220,7 +221,7 @@ void RemoteStore::setOptions(Connection & conn)
         overrides.erase(settings.maxSilentTime.name);
         overrides.erase(settings.buildCores.name);
         overrides.erase(settings.useSubstitutes.name);
-        overrides.erase(settings.showTrace.name);
+        overrides.erase(loggerSettings.showTrace.name);
         conn.to << overrides.size();
         for (auto & i : overrides)
             conn.to << i.first << i.second.value;
diff --git a/src/libutil/error.cc b/src/libutil/error.cc
index 0fad9ae42..fd6f69b7f 100644
--- a/src/libutil/error.cc
+++ b/src/libutil/error.cc
@@ -7,14 +7,11 @@
 
 namespace nix {
 
-
 const std::string nativeSystem = SYSTEM;
 
-// addPrefix is used for show-trace.  Strings added with addPrefix
-// will print ahead of the error itself.
-BaseError & BaseError::addPrefix(const FormatOrString & fs)
+BaseError & BaseError::addTrace(std::optional<ErrPos> e, hintformat hint)
 {
-    prefix_ = fs.s + prefix_;
+    err.traces.push_front(Trace { .pos = e, .hint = hint});
     return *this;
 }
 
@@ -28,7 +25,7 @@ const string& BaseError::calcWhat() const
         err.name = sname();
 
         std::ostringstream oss;
-        oss << err;
+        showErrorInfo(oss, err, false);
         what_ = oss.str();
 
         return *what_;
@@ -56,28 +53,114 @@ string showErrPos(const ErrPos &errPos)
     }
 }
 
-// if nixCode contains lines of code, print them to the ostream, indicating the error column.
-void printCodeLines(std::ostream &out, const string &prefix, const NixCode &nixCode)
+std::optional<LinesOfCode> getCodeLines(const ErrPos &errPos)
+{
+    if (errPos.line <= 0)
+        return std::nullopt;
+
+    if (errPos.origin == foFile) {
+        LinesOfCode loc;
+        try {
+            AutoCloseFD fd = open(errPos.file.c_str(), O_RDONLY | O_CLOEXEC);
+            if (!fd) {
+                logError(SysError("opening file '%1%'", errPos.file).info());
+                return std::nullopt;
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                // count the newlines.
+                int count = 0;
+                string line;
+                int pl = errPos.line - 1;
+                do
+                {
+                    line = readLine(fd.get());
+                    ++count;
+                    if (count < pl)
+                    {
+                        ;
+                    }
+                    else if (count == pl) {
+                        loc.prevLineOfCode = line;
+                    } else if (count == pl + 1) {
+                        loc.errLineOfCode = line;
+                    } else if (count == pl + 2) {
+                        loc.nextLineOfCode = line;
+                        break;
+                    }
+                } while (true);
+                return loc;
+            }
+        }
+        catch (EndOfFile &eof) {
+            if (loc.errLineOfCode.has_value())
+                return loc;
+            else
+                return std::nullopt;
+        }
+        catch (std::exception &e) {
+            printError("error reading nix file: %s\n%s", errPos.file, e.what());
+            return std::nullopt;
+        }
+    } else {
+        std::istringstream iss(errPos.file);
+        // count the newlines.
+        int count = 0;
+        string line;
+        int pl = errPos.line - 1;
+
+        LinesOfCode loc;
+
+        do
+        {
+            std::getline(iss, line);
+            ++count;
+            if (count < pl)
+            {
+                ;
+            }
+            else if (count == pl) {
+                loc.prevLineOfCode = line;
+            } else if (count == pl + 1) {
+                loc.errLineOfCode = line;
+            } else if (count == pl + 2) {
+                loc.nextLineOfCode = line;
+                break;
+            }
+
+            if (!iss.good())
+                break;
+        } while (true);
+
+        return loc;
+    }
+}
+
+// print lines of code to the ostream, indicating the error column.
+void printCodeLines(std::ostream &out,
+    const string &prefix,
+    const ErrPos &errPos,
+    const LinesOfCode &loc)
 {
     // previous line of code.
-    if (nixCode.prevLineOfCode.has_value()) {
+    if (loc.prevLineOfCode.has_value()) {
         out << std::endl
             << fmt("%1% %|2$5d|| %3%",
-                prefix,
-                (nixCode.errPos.line - 1),
-                *nixCode.prevLineOfCode);
+            prefix,
+            (errPos.line - 1),
+            *loc.prevLineOfCode);
     }
 
-    if (nixCode.errLineOfCode.has_value()) {
+    if (loc.errLineOfCode.has_value()) {
         // line of code containing the error.
         out << std::endl
             << fmt("%1% %|2$5d|| %3%",
-                prefix,
-                (nixCode.errPos.line),
-                *nixCode.errLineOfCode);
+            prefix,
+            (errPos.line),
+            *loc.errLineOfCode);
         // error arrows for the column range.
-        if (nixCode.errPos.column > 0) {
-            int start = nixCode.errPos.column;
+        if (errPos.column > 0) {
+            int start = errPos.column;
             std::string spaces;
             for (int i = 0; i < start; ++i) {
                 spaces.append(" ");
@@ -87,23 +170,49 @@ void printCodeLines(std::ostream &out, const string &prefix, const NixCode &nixC
 
             out << std::endl
                 << fmt("%1%      |%2%" ANSI_RED "%3%" ANSI_NORMAL,
-                    prefix,
-                    spaces,
-                    arrows);
+                prefix,
+                spaces,
+                arrows);
         }
     }
 
     // next line of code.
-    if (nixCode.nextLineOfCode.has_value()) {
+    if (loc.nextLineOfCode.has_value()) {
         out << std::endl
             << fmt("%1% %|2$5d|| %3%",
-                prefix,
-                (nixCode.errPos.line + 1),
-                *nixCode.nextLineOfCode);
+            prefix,
+            (errPos.line + 1),
+            *loc.nextLineOfCode);
     }
 }
 
-std::ostream& operator<<(std::ostream &out, const ErrorInfo &einfo)
+void printAtPos(const string &prefix, const ErrPos &pos, std::ostream &out)
+{
+    if (pos)
+    {
+        switch (pos.origin) {
+            case foFile: {
+                out << prefix << ANSI_BLUE << "at: " << ANSI_YELLOW << showErrPos(pos) <<
+                    ANSI_BLUE << " in file: " << ANSI_NORMAL << pos.file;
+                break;
+            }
+            case foString: {
+                out << prefix << ANSI_BLUE << "at: " << ANSI_YELLOW << showErrPos(pos) <<
+                    ANSI_BLUE << " from string" << ANSI_NORMAL;
+                break;
+            }
+            case foStdin: {
+                out << prefix << ANSI_BLUE << "at: " << ANSI_YELLOW << showErrPos(pos) <<
+                    ANSI_BLUE << " from stdin" << ANSI_NORMAL;
+                break;
+            }
+            default:
+                throw Error("invalid FileOrigin in errPos");
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+std::ostream& showErrorInfo(std::ostream &out, const ErrorInfo &einfo, bool showTrace)
 {
     auto errwidth = std::max<size_t>(getWindowSize().second, 20);
     string prefix = "";
@@ -158,8 +267,12 @@ std::ostream& operator<<(std::ostream &out, const ErrorInfo &einfo)
         }
     }
 
-    auto ndl = prefix.length() + levelString.length() + 3 + einfo.name.length() + einfo.programName.value_or("").length();
-    auto dashwidth = ndl > (errwidth - 3) ? 3 : errwidth - ndl;
+    auto ndl = prefix.length()
+        + filterANSIEscapes(levelString, true).length()
+        + 7
+        + einfo.name.length()
+        + einfo.programName.value_or("").length();
+    auto dashwidth = std::max<int>(errwidth - ndl, 3);
 
     std::string dashes(dashwidth, '-');
 
@@ -179,16 +292,9 @@ std::ostream& operator<<(std::ostream &out, const ErrorInfo &einfo)
             einfo.programName.value_or(""));
 
     bool nl = false;  // intersperse newline between sections.
-    if (einfo.nixCode.has_value()) {
-        if (einfo.nixCode->errPos.file != "") {
-            // filename, line, column.
-            out << std::endl << fmt("%1%in file: " ANSI_BLUE "%2% %3%" ANSI_NORMAL,
-                prefix,
-                einfo.nixCode->errPos.file,
-                showErrPos(einfo.nixCode->errPos));
-        } else {
-            out << std::endl << fmt("%1%from command line argument", prefix);
-        }
+    if (einfo.errPos.has_value() && (*einfo.errPos)) {
+        out << prefix << std::endl;
+        printAtPos(prefix, *einfo.errPos, out);
         nl = true;
     }
 
@@ -200,12 +306,16 @@ std::ostream& operator<<(std::ostream &out, const ErrorInfo &einfo)
         nl = true;
     }
 
-    // lines of code.
-    if (einfo.nixCode.has_value() && einfo.nixCode->errLineOfCode.has_value()) {
-        if (nl)
-            out << std::endl << prefix;
-        printCodeLines(out, prefix, *einfo.nixCode);
-        nl = true;
+    if (einfo.errPos.has_value() && (*einfo.errPos)) {
+        auto loc = getCodeLines(*einfo.errPos);
+
+        // lines of code.
+        if (loc.has_value()) {
+            if (nl)
+                out << std::endl << prefix;
+            printCodeLines(out, prefix, *einfo.errPos, *loc);
+            nl = true;
+        }
     }
 
     // hint
@@ -216,6 +326,54 @@ std::ostream& operator<<(std::ostream &out, const ErrorInfo &einfo)
         nl = true;
     }
 
+    // traces
+    if (showTrace && !einfo.traces.empty())
+    {
+        const string tracetitle(" show-trace ");
+
+        int fill = errwidth - tracetitle.length();
+        int lw = 0;
+        int rw = 0;
+        const int min_dashes = 3;
+        if (fill > min_dashes * 2) {
+            if (fill % 2 != 0) {
+                lw = fill / 2;
+                rw = lw + 1;
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                lw = rw = fill / 2;
+            }
+        }
+        else
+            lw = rw = min_dashes;
+
+        if (nl)
+            out << std::endl << prefix;
+
+        out << ANSI_BLUE << std::string(lw, '-') << tracetitle << std::string(rw, '-') << ANSI_NORMAL;
+
+        for (auto iter = einfo.traces.rbegin(); iter != einfo.traces.rend(); ++iter)
+        {
+            out << std::endl << prefix;
+            out << ANSI_BLUE << "trace: " << ANSI_NORMAL << iter->hint.str();
+
+            if (iter->pos.has_value() && (*iter->pos)) {
+                auto pos = iter->pos.value();
+                out << std::endl << prefix;
+                printAtPos(prefix, pos, out);
+
+                auto loc = getCodeLines(pos);
+                if (loc.has_value())
+                {
+                    out << std::endl << prefix;
+                    printCodeLines(out, prefix, pos, *loc);
+                    out << std::endl << prefix;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     return out;
 }
 }
diff --git a/src/libutil/error.hh b/src/libutil/error.hh
index 6982e30aa..1b0fb43b8 100644
--- a/src/libutil/error.hh
+++ b/src/libutil/error.hh
@@ -25,20 +25,20 @@ namespace nix {
 
 /*
 
-This file defines two main structs/classes used in nix error handling.
+   This file defines two main structs/classes used in nix error handling.
 
-ErrorInfo provides a standard payload of error information, with conversion to string
-happening in the logger rather than at the call site.
+   ErrorInfo provides a standard payload of error information, with conversion to string
+   happening in the logger rather than at the call site.
 
-BaseError is the ancestor of nix specific exceptions (and Interrupted), and contains
-an ErrorInfo.
+   BaseError is the ancestor of nix specific exceptions (and Interrupted), and contains
+   an ErrorInfo.
 
-ErrorInfo structs are sent to the logger as part of an exception, or directly with the
-logError or logWarning macros.
+   ErrorInfo structs are sent to the logger as part of an exception, or directly with the
+   logError or logWarning macros.
 
-See the error-demo.cc program for usage examples.
+   See the error-demo.cc program for usage examples.
 
-*/
+ */
 
 typedef enum {
     lvlError = 0,
@@ -50,11 +50,25 @@ typedef enum {
     lvlVomit
 } Verbosity;
 
+typedef enum {
+    foFile,
+    foStdin,
+    foString
+} FileOrigin;
+
+// the lines of code surrounding an error.
+struct LinesOfCode {
+    std::optional<string> prevLineOfCode;
+    std::optional<string> errLineOfCode;
+    std::optional<string> nextLineOfCode;
+};
+
 // ErrPos indicates the location of an error in a nix file.
 struct ErrPos {
     int line = 0;
     int column = 0;
     string file;
+    FileOrigin origin;
 
     operator bool() const
     {
@@ -65,6 +79,7 @@ struct ErrPos {
     template <class P>
     ErrPos& operator=(const P &pos)
     {
+        origin = pos.origin;
         line = pos.line;
         column = pos.column;
         // is file symbol null?
@@ -82,11 +97,9 @@ struct ErrPos {
     }
 };
 
-struct NixCode {
-    ErrPos errPos;
-    std::optional<string> prevLineOfCode;
-    std::optional<string> errLineOfCode;
-    std::optional<string> nextLineOfCode;
+struct Trace {
+    std::optional<ErrPos> pos;
+    hintformat hint;
 };
 
 struct ErrorInfo {
@@ -94,19 +107,19 @@ struct ErrorInfo {
     string name;
     string description;
     std::optional<hintformat> hint;
-    std::optional<NixCode> nixCode;
+    std::optional<ErrPos> errPos;
+    std::list<Trace> traces;
 
     static std::optional<string> programName;
 };
 
-std::ostream& operator<<(std::ostream &out, const ErrorInfo &einfo);
+std::ostream& showErrorInfo(std::ostream &out, const ErrorInfo &einfo, bool showTrace);
 
 /* BaseError should generally not be caught, as it has Interrupted as
    a subclass. Catch Error instead. */
 class BaseError : public std::exception
 {
 protected:
-    string prefix_; // used for location traces etc.
     mutable ErrorInfo err;
 
     mutable std::optional<string> what_;
@@ -117,23 +130,23 @@ public:
 
     template<typename... Args>
     BaseError(unsigned int status, const Args & ... args)
-        : err { .level = lvlError,
-                .hint = hintfmt(args...)
-              }
+        : err {.level = lvlError,
+            .hint = hintfmt(args...)
+            }
         , status(status)
     { }
 
     template<typename... Args>
     BaseError(const std::string & fs, const Args & ... args)
-        : err { .level = lvlError,
-                .hint = hintfmt(fs, args...)
-              }
+        : err {.level = lvlError,
+            .hint = hintfmt(fs, args...)
+            }
     { }
 
     BaseError(hintformat hint)
-        : err { .level = lvlError,
-                .hint = hint
-              }
+        : err {.level = lvlError,
+            .hint = hint
+            }
     { }
 
     BaseError(ErrorInfo && e)
@@ -154,10 +167,17 @@ public:
 #endif
 
     const string & msg() const { return calcWhat(); }
-    const string & prefix() const { return prefix_; }
-    BaseError & addPrefix(const FormatOrString & fs);
-
     const ErrorInfo & info() { calcWhat(); return err; }
+
+    template<typename... Args>
+    BaseError & addTrace(std::optional<ErrPos> e, const string &fs, const Args & ... args)
+    {
+        return addTrace(e, hintfmt(fs, args...));
+    }
+
+    BaseError & addTrace(std::optional<ErrPos> e, hintformat hint);
+
+    bool hasTrace() const { return !err.traces.empty(); }
 };
 
 #define MakeError(newClass, superClass) \
@@ -177,7 +197,7 @@ public:
 
     template<typename... Args>
     SysError(const Args & ... args)
-      :Error("")
+        : Error("")
     {
         errNo = errno;
         auto hf = hintfmt(args...);
diff --git a/src/libutil/logging.cc b/src/libutil/logging.cc
index 105fadb15..90c6afe81 100644
--- a/src/libutil/logging.cc
+++ b/src/libutil/logging.cc
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #include "logging.hh"
 #include "util.hh"
+#include "config.hh"
 
 #include <atomic>
 #include <nlohmann/json.hpp>
@@ -7,6 +8,10 @@
 
 namespace nix {
 
+LoggerSettings loggerSettings;
+
+static GlobalConfig::Register r1(&loggerSettings);
+
 static thread_local ActivityId curActivity = 0;
 
 ActivityId getCurActivity()
@@ -72,10 +77,11 @@ public:
     void logEI(const ErrorInfo & ei) override
     {
         std::stringstream oss;
-        oss << ei;
+        showErrorInfo(oss, ei, loggerSettings.showTrace.get());
 
         log(ei.level, oss.str());
     }
+    
 
     void startActivity(ActivityId act, Verbosity lvl, ActivityType type,
         const std::string & s, const Fields & fields, ActivityId parent)
@@ -173,7 +179,7 @@ struct JSONLogger : Logger {
     void logEI(const ErrorInfo & ei) override
     {
         std::ostringstream oss;
-        oss << ei;
+        showErrorInfo(oss, ei, loggerSettings.showTrace.get());
 
         nlohmann::json json;
         json["action"] = "msg";
diff --git a/src/libutil/logging.hh b/src/libutil/logging.hh
index b1583eced..09619aac6 100644
--- a/src/libutil/logging.hh
+++ b/src/libutil/logging.hh
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 #include "types.hh"
 #include "error.hh"
+#include "config.hh"
 
 namespace nix {
 
@@ -34,6 +35,16 @@ typedef enum {
 
 typedef uint64_t ActivityId;
 
+struct LoggerSettings : Config
+{
+    Setting<bool> showTrace{this,
+        false,
+        "show-trace",
+        "Whether to show a stack trace on evaluation errors."};
+};
+
+extern LoggerSettings loggerSettings;
+
 class Logger
 {
     friend struct Activity;
diff --git a/src/libutil/tests/logging.cc b/src/libutil/tests/logging.cc
index 6a58b9425..ad588055f 100644
--- a/src/libutil/tests/logging.cc
+++ b/src/libutil/tests/logging.cc
@@ -11,6 +11,13 @@ namespace nix {
      * logEI
      * --------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
+    const char *test_file =
+        "previous line of code\n"
+        "this is the problem line of code\n"
+        "next line of code\n";
+    const char *one_liner =
+        "this is the other problem line of code";
+
     TEST(logEI, catpuresBasicProperties) {
 
         MakeError(TestError, Error);
@@ -137,7 +144,6 @@ namespace nix {
      * logError
      * --------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
-
     TEST(logError, logErrorWithoutHintOrCode) {
         testing::internal::CaptureStderr();
 
@@ -152,7 +158,7 @@ namespace nix {
 
     TEST(logError, logErrorWithPreviousAndNextLinesOfCode) {
         SymbolTable testTable;
-        auto problem_file = testTable.create("myfile.nix");
+        auto problem_file = testTable.create(test_file);
 
         testing::internal::CaptureStderr();
 
@@ -162,21 +168,16 @@ namespace nix {
                 .hint = hintfmt("this hint has %1% templated %2%!!",
                     "yellow",
                     "values"),
-                .nixCode = NixCode {
-                    .errPos = Pos(problem_file, 40, 13),
-                    .prevLineOfCode = "previous line of code",
-                    .errLineOfCode = "this is the problem line of code",
-                    .nextLineOfCode = "next line of code",
-                }});
-
+                .errPos = Pos(foString, problem_file, 02, 13),
+            });
 
         auto str = testing::internal::GetCapturedStderr();
-        ASSERT_STREQ(str.c_str(), "\x1B[31;1merror:\x1B[0m\x1B[34;1m --- error name --- error-unit-test\x1B[0m\nin file: \x1B[34;1mmyfile.nix (40:13)\x1B[0m\n\nerror with code lines\n\n    39| previous line of code\n    40| this is the problem line of code\n      |             \x1B[31;1m^\x1B[0m\n    41| next line of code\n\nthis hint has \x1B[33;1myellow\x1B[0m templated \x1B[33;1mvalues\x1B[0m!!\n");
+        ASSERT_STREQ(str.c_str(), "\x1B[31;1merror:\x1B[0m\x1B[34;1m --- error name --- error-unit-test\x1B[0m\n\x1B[34;1mat: \x1B[33;1m(2:13)\x1B[34;1m from string\x1B[0m\n\nerror with code lines\n\n     1| previous line of code\n     2| this is the problem line of code\n      |             \x1B[31;1m^\x1B[0m\n     3| next line of code\n\nthis hint has \x1B[33;1myellow\x1B[0m templated \x1B[33;1mvalues\x1B[0m!!\n");
     }
 
-    TEST(logError, logErrorWithoutLinesOfCode) {
+    TEST(logError, logErrorWithInvalidFile) {
         SymbolTable testTable;
-        auto problem_file = testTable.create("myfile.nix");
+        auto problem_file = testTable.create("invalid filename");
         testing::internal::CaptureStderr();
 
         logError({
@@ -185,28 +186,23 @@ namespace nix {
                 .hint = hintfmt("this hint has %1% templated %2%!!",
                     "yellow",
                     "values"),
-                .nixCode = NixCode {
-                    .errPos = Pos(problem_file, 40, 13)
-                }});
+                .errPos = Pos(foFile, problem_file, 02, 13)
+            });
 
         auto str = testing::internal::GetCapturedStderr();
-        ASSERT_STREQ(str.c_str(), "\x1B[31;1merror:\x1B[0m\x1B[34;1m --- error name --- error-unit-test\x1B[0m\nin file: \x1B[34;1mmyfile.nix (40:13)\x1B[0m\n\nerror without any code lines.\n\nthis hint has \x1B[33;1myellow\x1B[0m templated \x1B[33;1mvalues\x1B[0m!!\n");
+        ASSERT_STREQ(str.c_str(), "\x1B[31;1merror:\x1B[0m\x1B[34;1m --- SysError --- error-unit-test\x1B[0m\nopening file '\x1B[33;1minvalid filename\x1B[0m': \x1B[33;1mNo such file or directory\x1B[0m\n\x1B[31;1merror:\x1B[0m\x1B[34;1m --- error name --- error-unit-test\x1B[0m\n\x1B[34;1mat: \x1B[33;1m(2:13)\x1B[34;1m in file: \x1B[0minvalid filename\n\nerror without any code lines.\n\nthis hint has \x1B[33;1myellow\x1B[0m templated \x1B[33;1mvalues\x1B[0m!!\n");
     }
 
     TEST(logError, logErrorWithOnlyHintAndName) {
-        SymbolTable testTable;
-        auto problem_file = testTable.create("myfile.nix");
         testing::internal::CaptureStderr();
 
         logError({
                 .name = "error name",
                 .hint = hintfmt("hint %1%", "only"),
-                .nixCode = NixCode {
-                    .errPos = Pos(problem_file, 40, 13)
-                }});
+            });
 
         auto str = testing::internal::GetCapturedStderr();
-        ASSERT_STREQ(str.c_str(), "\x1B[31;1merror:\x1B[0m\x1B[34;1m --- error name --- error-unit-test\x1B[0m\nin file: \x1B[34;1mmyfile.nix (40:13)\x1B[0m\n\nhint \x1B[33;1monly\x1B[0m\n");
+        ASSERT_STREQ(str.c_str(), "\x1B[31;1merror:\x1B[0m\x1B[34;1m --- error name --- error-unit-test\x1B[0m\nhint \x1B[33;1monly\x1B[0m\n");
 
     }
 
@@ -219,18 +215,18 @@ namespace nix {
 
         logWarning({
                 .name = "name",
-                .description = "error description",
+                .description = "warning description",
                 .hint = hintfmt("there was a %1%", "warning"),
             });
 
         auto str = testing::internal::GetCapturedStderr();
-        ASSERT_STREQ(str.c_str(), "\x1B[33;1mwarning:\x1B[0m\x1B[34;1m --- name --- error-unit-test\x1B[0m\nerror description\n\nthere was a \x1B[33;1mwarning\x1B[0m\n");
+        ASSERT_STREQ(str.c_str(), "\x1B[33;1mwarning:\x1B[0m\x1B[34;1m --- name --- error-unit-test\x1B[0m\nwarning description\n\nthere was a \x1B[33;1mwarning\x1B[0m\n");
     }
 
     TEST(logWarning, logWarningWithFileLineNumAndCode) {
 
         SymbolTable testTable;
-        auto problem_file = testTable.create("myfile.nix");
+        auto problem_file = testTable.create(test_file);
 
         testing::internal::CaptureStderr();
 
@@ -240,18 +236,73 @@ namespace nix {
                 .hint = hintfmt("this hint has %1% templated %2%!!",
                     "yellow",
                     "values"),
-                .nixCode = NixCode {
-                    .errPos = Pos(problem_file, 40, 13),
-                    .prevLineOfCode = std::nullopt,
-                    .errLineOfCode = "this is the problem line of code",
-                    .nextLineOfCode = std::nullopt
-                }});
+                .errPos = Pos(foStdin, problem_file, 2, 13),
+            });
+
+
+        auto str = testing::internal::GetCapturedStderr();
+        ASSERT_STREQ(str.c_str(), "\x1B[33;1mwarning:\x1B[0m\x1B[34;1m --- warning name --- error-unit-test\x1B[0m\n\x1B[34;1mat: \x1B[33;1m(2:13)\x1B[34;1m from stdin\x1B[0m\n\nwarning description\n\n     1| previous line of code\n     2| this is the problem line of code\n      |             \x1B[31;1m^\x1B[0m\n     3| next line of code\n\nthis hint has \x1B[33;1myellow\x1B[0m templated \x1B[33;1mvalues\x1B[0m!!\n");
+    }
+
+    /* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+     * traces
+     * --------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+    TEST(addTrace, showTracesWithShowTrace) {
+        SymbolTable testTable;
+        auto problem_file = testTable.create(test_file);
+        auto oneliner_file = testTable.create(one_liner);
+        auto invalidfilename = testTable.create("invalid filename");
+
+        auto e = AssertionError(ErrorInfo {
+                .name = "wat",
+                .description = "show-traces",
+                .hint = hintfmt("it has been %1% days since our last error", "zero"),
+                .errPos = Pos(foString, problem_file, 2, 13),
+            });
+
+        e.addTrace(Pos(foStdin, oneliner_file, 1, 19), "while trying to compute %1%", 42);
+        e.addTrace(std::nullopt, "while doing something without a %1%", "pos");
+        e.addTrace(Pos(foFile, invalidfilename, 100, 1), "missing %s", "nix file");
+
+        testing::internal::CaptureStderr();
+
+        loggerSettings.showTrace.assign(true);
+
+        logError(e.info());
+
+        auto str = testing::internal::GetCapturedStderr();
+        ASSERT_STREQ(str.c_str(), "\x1B[31;1merror:\x1B[0m\x1B[34;1m --- SysError --- error-unit-test\x1B[0m\nopening file '\x1B[33;1minvalid filename\x1B[0m': \x1B[33;1mNo such file or directory\x1B[0m\n\x1B[31;1merror:\x1B[0m\x1B[34;1m --- AssertionError --- error-unit-test\x1B[0m\n\x1B[34;1mat: \x1B[33;1m(2:13)\x1B[34;1m from string\x1B[0m\n\nshow-traces\n\n     1| previous line of code\n     2| this is the problem line of code\n      |             \x1B[31;1m^\x1B[0m\n     3| next line of code\n\nit has been \x1B[33;1mzero\x1B[0m days since our last error\n\x1B[34;1m---- show-trace ----\x1B[0m\n\x1B[34;1mtrace: \x1B[0mwhile trying to compute \x1B[33;1m42\x1B[0m\n\x1B[34;1mat: \x1B[33;1m(1:19)\x1B[34;1m from stdin\x1B[0m\n\n     1| this is the other problem line of code\n      |                   \x1B[31;1m^\x1B[0m\n\n\x1B[34;1mtrace: \x1B[0mwhile doing something without a \x1B[33;1mpos\x1B[0m\n\x1B[34;1mtrace: \x1B[0mmissing \x1B[33;1mnix file\x1B[0m\n\x1B[34;1mat: \x1B[33;1m(100:1)\x1B[34;1m in file: \x1B[0minvalid filename\n");
+    }
 
+    TEST(addTrace, hideTracesWithoutShowTrace) {
+        SymbolTable testTable;
+        auto problem_file = testTable.create(test_file);
+        auto oneliner_file = testTable.create(one_liner);
+        auto invalidfilename = testTable.create("invalid filename");
+
+        auto e = AssertionError(ErrorInfo {
+                .name = "wat",
+                .description = "hide traces",
+                .hint = hintfmt("it has been %1% days since our last error", "zero"),
+                .errPos = Pos(foString, problem_file, 2, 13),
+            });
+
+        e.addTrace(Pos(foStdin, oneliner_file, 1, 19), "while trying to compute %1%", 42);
+        e.addTrace(std::nullopt, "while doing something without a %1%", "pos");
+        e.addTrace(Pos(foFile, invalidfilename, 100, 1), "missing %s", "nix file");
+
+        testing::internal::CaptureStderr();
+
+        loggerSettings.showTrace.assign(false);
+
+        logError(e.info());
 
         auto str = testing::internal::GetCapturedStderr();
-        ASSERT_STREQ(str.c_str(), "\x1B[33;1mwarning:\x1B[0m\x1B[34;1m --- warning name --- error-unit-test\x1B[0m\nin file: \x1B[34;1mmyfile.nix (40:13)\x1B[0m\n\nwarning description\n\n    40| this is the problem line of code\n      |             \x1B[31;1m^\x1B[0m\n\nthis hint has \x1B[33;1myellow\x1B[0m templated \x1B[33;1mvalues\x1B[0m!!\n");
+        ASSERT_STREQ(str.c_str(), "\x1B[31;1merror:\x1B[0m\x1B[34;1m --- AssertionError --- error-unit-test\x1B[0m\n\x1B[34;1mat: \x1B[33;1m(2:13)\x1B[34;1m from string\x1B[0m\n\nhide traces\n\n     1| previous line of code\n     2| this is the problem line of code\n      |             \x1B[31;1m^\x1B[0m\n     3| next line of code\n\nit has been \x1B[33;1mzero\x1B[0m days since our last error\n");
     }
 
+
     /* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
      * hintfmt
      * --------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
diff --git a/src/nix-env/nix-env.cc b/src/nix-env/nix-env.cc
index 8b0692035..c992b7d74 100644
--- a/src/nix-env/nix-env.cc
+++ b/src/nix-env/nix-env.cc
@@ -593,7 +593,7 @@ static void upgradeDerivations(Globals & globals,
                 } else newElems.push_back(i);
 
             } catch (Error & e) {
-                e.addPrefix(fmt("while trying to find an upgrade for '%s':\n", i.queryName()));
+                e.addTrace(std::nullopt, "while trying to find an upgrade for '%s'", i.queryName());
                 throw;
             }
         }
@@ -1185,7 +1185,7 @@ static void opQuery(Globals & globals, Strings opFlags, Strings opArgs)
         } catch (AssertionError & e) {
             printMsg(lvlTalkative, "skipping derivation named '%1%' which gives an assertion failure", i.queryName());
         } catch (Error & e) {
-            e.addPrefix(fmt("while querying the derivation named '%1%':\n", i.queryName()));
+            e.addTrace(std::nullopt, "while querying the derivation named '%1%'", i.queryName());
             throw;
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/nix/repl.cc b/src/nix/repl.cc
index 617d49614..fdacf604b 100644
--- a/src/nix/repl.cc
+++ b/src/nix/repl.cc
@@ -211,12 +211,12 @@ void NixRepl::mainLoop(const std::vector<std::string> & files)
                 // input without clearing the input so far.
                 continue;
             } else {
-              printMsg(lvlError, error + "%1%%2%", (settings.showTrace ? e.prefix() : ""), e.msg());
+              printMsg(lvlError, e.msg());
             }
         } catch (Error & e) {
-            printMsg(lvlError, error + "%1%%2%", (settings.showTrace ? e.prefix() : ""), e.msg());
+          printMsg(lvlError, e.msg());
         } catch (Interrupted & e) {
-            printMsg(lvlError, error + "%1%%2%", (settings.showTrace ? e.prefix() : ""), e.msg());
+          printMsg(lvlError, e.msg());
         }
 
         // We handled the current input fully, so we should clear it
diff --git a/src/nix/search.cc b/src/nix/search.cc
index ba72c1e79..93c3f3f83 100644
--- a/src/nix/search.cc
+++ b/src/nix/search.cc
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ struct CmdSearch : SourceExprCommand, MixJSON
             } catch (AssertionError & e) {
             } catch (Error & e) {
                 if (!toplevel) {
-                    e.addPrefix(fmt("While evaluating the attribute '%s':\n", attrPath));
+                    e.addTrace(std::nullopt, "While evaluating the attribute '%s'", attrPath);
                     throw;
                 }
             }