debug

Diagnose root causes of bugs and unexpected behavior in codebases.

1|Updated May 18, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/linenoize/topia --skill debug-linenoize
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: debug
Source: https://github.com/linenoize/topia/tree/main/skills/debug
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/linenoize/topia --skill debug-linenoize

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill helps you trace bugs, stack traces, failed tests, and unexpected behavior back to their true source without guessing or making premature changes.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Root-cause analysis: Investigates errors by tracing data flow, control flow, and environment issues until the origin is identified.
  • Evidence-first debugging: Uses targeted reading, search, and test loops to confirm or rule out hypotheses instead of relying on intuition.
  • Structured handoff: Produces a clear debug report that explains the cause, location, evidence, and next fix direction for downstream repair workflows.
  • Use case: A test suddenly fails after a refactor and you need to determine whether the issue is in validation, path handling, state leakage, or a deeper module interaction.

Quick Start

Ask the skill to investigate the failure, reproduce the issue, gather evidence, and report the most likely root cause with file-level support.

Frequently Asked Questions about debug

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I find the root cause of a test failure or stack trace without randomly changing code?

To find the root cause of a stack trace or test failure, use evidence-first debugging to trace data flow and control flow backwards. This approach applies deterministic reproduction loops and hypothesis testing to pinpoint the exact origin without making premature code changes.

What is the best way to debug build failures and unexpected behavior in multi-component systems?

The best way to debug multi-component system failures is through structured evidence gathering and scoped investigation. By tracing interactions across modules and validating hypotheses against deterministic reproduction loops, you can isolate the true source of unexpected behavior rather than treating symptoms.

How do I investigate a test regression after a code refactor to see if it is state leakage or path handling?

To investigate a test regression after a refactor, apply backward tracing and scoped investigation across validation, path handling, and state leakage. Hypothesis testing confirms or rules out specific module interactions, providing file-level evidence of the root cause.

Can I diagnose browser errors and build failures using hypothesis testing and backward tracing?

Yes, you can diagnose browser errors and build failures using hypothesis testing and backward tracing. This structured investigation method reads targeted code paths and runs test loops to confirm theories, ensuring the identified cause is backed by deterministic evidence.

Does this debugging approach modify my codebase or just report the cause of the bug?

This debugging approach strictly diagnoses the root cause of bugs without modifying your codebase. It performs structured handoff by producing a detailed debug report that explains the cause, location, evidence, and next fix direction for downstream repair workflows.

When should I use structured evidence gathering instead of intuition for bug hunting?

You should use structured evidence gathering for bug hunting when facing complex regressions, multi-component failures, or ambiguous stack traces. Relying on targeted reading and deterministic reproduction loops prevents premature changes and confirms the true root cause through validated hypotheses.