Methods and systems for adjusting trace filters in a database system are described. During operation, an embodiment may receive, from a user, an indication of a performance problem. Next, the embodiment may determine settings of one or more trace filters based on the indication of the performance problem. The embodiment may then collect trace data based on the one or more trace filters. While the trace data is being collected, the embodiment may perform the following set of operations one or more times: (1) obtain database system performance metrics, (2) analyze the trace data to obtain an analysis result, and (3) adjust the settings of the one or more trace filters based on the database system performance metrics and the analysis result.