What Is a Metric Exemplar?
An exemplar is a reference, typically a trace ID with a timestamp and value, stored alongside an aggregated metric sample such as a latency histogram bucket. It links a single concrete request to the bucket it landed in. From a metrics dashboard you can click the exemplar and open the exact distributed trace behind that data point.
Why it matters
Aggregated metrics show that something is slow but not which request caused it. Exemplars bridge metrics and traces, turning a spike on a chart into a specific trace you can debug.
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