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investigate

Trace code paths and verify hypotheses to diagnose failure root causes.

Updated Mar 31, 2026
Search Tags:#debugging#investigate#triage#root-cause#reproduction#gstack
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/benrapport/Vote-Better --skill investigate-benrapport
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: investigate
Source: https://github.com/benrapport/Vote-Better/tree/main/.claude/skills/gstack/investigate
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/benrapport/Vote-Better --skill investigate-benrapport

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Systematic debugging with root cause investigation. Four phases: investigate, analyze, hypothesize, implement. Iron Law: no fixes without root cause. Use when asked to "debug this", "fix this bug", "why is this broken", "investigate this error", or is troubleshooting why something stopped working. (gstack)

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Phase-driven root-cause debugging workflow guiding symptom collection, code-path tracing, and hypothesis testing.
  • Safe guardrails to avoid blind fixes and ensure testable root-cause hypotheses.
  • Seamless integration with gstack prompts and AskUserQuestion for uncertain cases.

Quick Start

Describe the error and reproduction steps to begin the root-cause investigation.

Frequently Asked Questions about investigate

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

FAQPage Schema
What is root-cause debugging and why is it necessary for recurring bugs?▼

Root-cause debugging identifies and diagnoses the actual source of a failure by collecting symptoms and tracing code paths, ensuring you fix the underlying issue rather than applying a blind patch that allows the bug to recur.

How do I debug a software failure when I only have reproduction steps?▼

To debug a failure, describe the error and reproduction steps to initiate a four-phase workflow: investigate, analyze, hypothesize, and implement. This process traces code paths and verifies testable hypotheses with minimal instrumentation.

What is the best way to triage an error and form testable hypotheses?▼

The best way to triage an error is to follow a systematic workflow that collects symptoms, traces code paths, and forms testable hypotheses. This method verifies root causes with minimal instrumentation before applying any fixes.

When should I escalate a bug investigation I cannot resolve?▼

You should escalate a bug investigation clearly when the root cause cannot be determined within your given constraints. This follows a strict rule of applying no fixes without a verified root cause to prevent recurring bugs.

Can I apply a quick fix without finding the exact root cause of a bug?▼

No, this systematic debugging approach enforces an Iron Law of no fixes without root cause. It provides safe guardrails to avoid blind fixes, ensuring you only implement changes after verifying testable root-cause hypotheses.

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