diagnose

Reproduce software failures and trace root causes with a five-phase workflow.

3|Updated Mar 25, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/willietran/autoboard --skill diagnose-willietran
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: diagnose
Source: https://github.com/willietran/autoboard/tree/main/skills/diagnose
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/willietran/autoboard --skill diagnose-willietran

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Systematically investigates and reproduces software failures to prevent blind patches.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Reproduce the failure to establish a reliable baseline.
  • Trace the call chain and verify root causes with a structured five-step process.
  • Instrumentation and phased analysis to prevent scope creep and regression.

Quick Start

Reproduce the exact failure using the documented steps, then proceed to Phase 2: Root Cause Investigation.

Frequently Asked Questions about diagnose

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I systematically debug a software failure across different environments?

Systematic debugging involves a five-phase workflow: reproduce the failure, trace the call chain, form a hypothesis, test, and fix. This structured approach prevents blind patches and scope creep across development, staging, production environments.

What is the best way to reproduce a bug to establish a reliable baseline?

To establish a reliable baseline for bug reproduction, follow documented steps to trigger the exact failure. This creates a consistent testing environment for subsequent root cause investigation and instrumentation.

How do I trace a call chain to verify the root cause of an issue?

Tracing a call chain to verify a root cause requires systematically following execution paths using instrumentation. This isolates the exact failure point and prevents regression during the fix phase.

Can I use this structured debugging approach for web apps, APIs, and build pipelines?

Yes, structured debugging applies to web apps, APIs, and build pipelines. The phased investigation process adapts to various software layers, ensuring consistent root cause analysis across your stack.

How do I prevent scope creep when investigating complex software failures?

To prevent scope creep during software failure investigation, use a phased analysis workflow with strict guardrails. This confines root cause tracing and testing to the immediate failure, avoiding unrelated code changes.