debugging

Diagnose bugs and incidents using structured, evidence-based root-cause analysis methods.

Updated Feb 28, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/cjohnhanson/codelikecody --skill debugging-cjohnhanson
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: debugging
Source: https://github.com/cjohnhanson/codelikecody/tree/main/skills/debugging
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/cjohnhanson/codelikecody --skill debugging-cjohnhanson

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Structured, evidence-based debugging for bugs, failures, and incidents, guiding teams to form hypotheses, collect proofs, and reach blameless conclusions using a suite of disciplined techniques.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Scientific debugging: Apply the scientific method to observe, hypothesize, test, and verify.
  • Root-cause analysis tools: Use Five Whys, Ishikawa fishbone diagrams, fault tree analysis to map causes.
  • Delta debugging & wolf fence: Minimize failure-inducing inputs and bisect changes to isolate causes.
  • Incident investigation & mindsets: Reconstruct timelines, analyze contributing factors, and promote learning.
  • Blameless principle: Focus on process improvements, not individuals, for robust remediation.
  • Hands-off guidance: Provides structured steps the AI can load into context to assist debugging.

Quick Start

Ask me to guide a structured debugging session for a failing component.

Frequently Asked Questions about debugging

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I perform root cause analysis for a production incident?

Root cause analysis for production incidents involves reconstructing timelines, analyzing contributing factors, and applying structured techniques like Five Whys or fishbone diagrams to reach blameless conclusions. This approach focuses on process improvements rather than assigning individual blame.

What is the scientific method for software debugging?

The scientific method for software debugging is a structured approach where you observe the failure, form a hypothesis about the cause, test that hypothesis, and verify the results. This evidence-based process ensures reliable diagnosis of software bugs.

How do I isolate failure-inducing inputs using delta debugging?

Delta debugging isolates failure-inducing inputs by systematically minimizing test cases and bisecting changes. This structured technique narrows down the specific variables or code modifications that trigger the software failure.

When should I use a fault tree analysis for incident investigation?

Fault tree analysis is used during incident investigation to map out potential causes of a failure logically. It is particularly effective when you need to visualize how various contributing factors combine to produce a complex software or system failure.

Can I use this structured debugging approach for post-mortems?

Yes, structured debugging is designed for post-mortems and incident investigation. It provides hands-off guidance to reconstruct timelines, analyze contributing factors, and promote blameless learning for robust remediation and process improvement.

What is the best way to find a bug using the wolf fence method?

The wolf fence method isolates bugs by bisecting changes to quickly narrow down the problematic code area. It is a structured debugging technique that systematically eliminates working components to pinpoint the exact source of the failure.