Fix software for cruel budget cut time (5)
I believe the answer is:
debug
'fix software for cruel budget cut time' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'cruel budget cut time' is the wordplay.
'cruel' indicates an anagram.
'cut' is a deletion indicator.
'time' becomes 't' (abbreviation).
'budget' with 't' removed is 'budge'.
'budge' anagrammed gives 'DEBUG'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for debug that I've seen before include "Remove errors from a computer program" , "Remove problem" , "Remove (software) errors" , "Refrain (from)" , "correct code?" .)