The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dynamically configuring debug triggering patterns. One example embodiment of the method includes comparing values of bits received on a first subset of a plurality of lines of a bus with a first pattern of bits and capturing values of bits received on a second subset of the plurality of lines of the bus in response to the comparison indicating that the values of the bits received on the first subset of the lines match the first pattern of bits. The exemplary embodiment of the method also includes defining a second pattern for triggering a debug action using the captured values.