Support for custom trace

[fahmisdk6]

We want to implement tracing where we have full control to start and stop the tracing. For example we want to track the time needed from user tap Submit button in screen A until screen B fully loaded. We currently use
https://firebase.google.com/docs/perf-mon/custom-code-traces?platform=flutter#add-custom-code-traces but want to implement it in datadog.

We have tried current solutions from dd-sdk-flutter but found some restrictions:

1. addTiming seems to only suitable to track screen opened -> something loaded
2. track-user-action has restriction of 10s and will automatically stopped when user move to another screen
3. track-custom-resource need to be treated as http request, need url, method etc.

We also noticed that datadog android has capability of tracing, is it equivalent to firebase perf custom trace and can we implement it in flutter?
https://docs.datadoghq.com/tracing/trace_collection/dd_libraries/android/?tab=kotlin

Thanks

[fuzzybinary]

Hi @fahmisdk6, thanks for filing an issue.

We currently looking into ways to support this exact use case across all of the mobile SDKs, as well as eventual support for custom tracing in the Flutter SDK, but we're still working out the specifics.

For better tracking, please also make sure you reach out to your CSM and have them file a feature request. This helps us gauge interest and prioritize appropriately.

As a workaround, Note that some folks have used start / stop resource for this. While it does require a url / http request method, you can just supply constant fake values for them. Datadog should accept the resource anyway.

However, for your use case, it sounds like you want the resource to span between two views. Is that accurate?

[fahmisdk6]

Thank for your response, so I can conclude that the implementation is still in "gauging-interest" phase, right?

However, for your use case, it sounds like you want the resource to span between two views. Is that accurate?

Yes, the trace should be view agnostic as we only need to measure the duration between event A to event B.

[fahmisdk6]

Hi again @fuzzybinary, can you confirm if our use case can be catered by these two native implementations?
https://docs.datadoghq.com/tracing/trace_collection/dd_libraries/android/?tab=kotlin
https://docs.datadoghq.com/tracing/trace_collection/dd_libraries/ios/?tab=cocoapods

If yes, then my company consider to create unofficial plugin to implement these in flutter.

[fuzzybinary]

Hi @fahmisdk6,

We're a bit farther from gauging interest but since we are also still working out some particulars around implementation I've decided to use that tag for now (and also I want to make sure anyone who needs similar functionality reaches out to their CSM so we can get a clear picture of whether we're hitting everyone's needs).

Native tracing might work for your use case, yes. However, we actually stopped using native tracing in the Flutter SDK because of this bug which completely broke iOS tracing. It's possible this has been fixed on the Apple side, but I'm not sure.

[KikuchiTomo]

Hi! @fuzzybinary

I am currently in the process of migrating everything from a certain measurement service to Datadog. Since that service allows us to measure user interactions at any time and for any period, I want to achieve the same functionality in Datadog.

Then, I am attempting to measure arbitrary durations using RUM Actions' startAction/stopAction. However, these automatically time out after 10 seconds, so it appears impossible to measure arbitrary timings as discussed in this issue.

As of 2025, has an API for measuring arbitrary durations been implemented?

Also, if not, would using startResource/stopResource be the most efficient approach?

[fuzzybinary]

Hi @KikuchiTomo,

Can you give me a little more information on what you're trying to do? I'm not sure tracing (which is meant really for performance monitoring, not for long running user actions) is the right fit.

It's possible what you're looking for is a new feature we're implementing called "Feature Operations" (https://docs.datadoghq.com/real_user_monitoring/operations_monitoring/?tab=browser#parallelization) which unfortunately isn't available in Flutter quite yet.

[KikuchiTomo]

@fuzzybinary

Thanks for your reply!

We need an API that can measure durations of 10 seconds or longer.
As mentioned here, it must be able to track actions across views.

Can we use the “Feature Operation” mentioned here to measure any user action lasting 10 seconds or longer?
Our goal is to monitor how effectively a feature is being used or whether it's functioning correctly. For example, we want to monitor the time taken for a series of login actions and collect the final success/failure status.

Also, if this can be achieved with “Feature Operation(Operation Monitoring?),” how long would it take for the Flutter Plugin to support one?

[fuzzybinary]

@KikuchiTomo Yes, this is what Feature Operations is for.

We're working on our next major release of the SDK and Feature Operations should follow shortly after that. I can't give an exact timeline unfortunately, but it shouldn't be too long.

[KikuchiTomo]

@fuzzybinary

Nice!

That is precisely what we require. Until we can utilise that excellent functionality, we shall implement our own class to manage addAction, measuring time and tagging with custom attributes for aggregation purposes.