gstack-openclaw-investigate

Systematic root cause debugging enforces mandatory investigation before applying any code fixes to eliminate recurring whack-a-mole bug patterns. It guides you through a structured 4-phase workflow to ensure fixes address underlying issues rather than surface symptoms.

Tracing the root cause of a stack trace error requires a structured workflow of hypothesis verification, common bug pattern matching, and full test suite validation. This approach ensures you verify the root cause with testing before applying a minimal fix.

Debugging intermittent 500 errors requires tracing the code path to identify race conditions or configuration drift, verifying the root cause with testing, and applying a minimal fix with a mandatory regression test to prevent recurrence.

Systematic root cause debugging applies to all software debugging scenarios including regression root cause tracing across web, backend, and AI service codebases. It enforces a 3-strike rule for failed hypotheses and mandates regression test creation.

You should avoid symptom-based bug fixing whenever you face unexpected behavior or need error resolution, as it leads to escalating technical debt. Instead, enforce the no fixes without root cause iron law to permanently eliminate recurring bugs.

To verify a debugging hypothesis before applying code changes, you must test it against common bug patterns and validate it with a full test suite. This structured investigation enforces a 3-strike rule for failed hypotheses to prevent incomplete fixes.