Traces explorer: show transaction name instead of op in "Trace Root" column

[ludwigbacklund]

Problem

The "Trace Root" column in the Traces explorer displays the span's op field (e.g., http.server rendered as "HTTP", http.server.middleware, pageload, navigation) instead of the transaction name or span description.

This makes the Traces view almost unusable for identifying what a trace represents because every server-rendered page load shows up as "HTTP" regardless of the route.

Evidence that the data is available

The root span's transaction event contains the correct name. For example, a trace root displayed as "HTTP" in the UI has this data on the root span:

• transaction: "GET /app/settings"
• contexts.trace.op: "http.server"
• contexts.trace.data["http.route"]: "/app/settings"

The op is what's currently shown. The transaction name is what would be useful.

Screenshot

Environment

• @sentry/nextjs 10.40.0
• Next.js 16.1.6 (App Router)
• Sentry SaaS (sentry.io)

Solution Brainstorm

The Trace Root column should display the transaction name (e.g., "GET /app/settings") or at minimum the span description, since these contain the actual route/action that identifies the trace.

Product Area

Explore

[linear]

ENG-6915

[getsantry]

Assigning to @getsentry/support for routing ⏲️