investigate

Investigate software failures by gathering evidence and stack traces.

Updated Mar 23, 2026

Search Tags:#debugging #troubleshooting #grep #investigate #root-cause #web-search #stack-trace

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/binfen1/my-skills --skill investigate-binfen1

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: investigate
Source: https://github.com/binfen1/my-skills/tree/main/claude-code/investigate
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/binfen1/my-skills --skill investigate-binfen1

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Systematic debugging with root cause investigation to avoid patching symptoms and repeating bugs.

Core Features & Use Cases

Structured phase-driven debugging: investigate, analyze, hypothesize, implement.
Evidence gathering: collect error messages, stack traces, and reproduction steps.
Proactive guidance: suggest next steps and guardrails for safe debugging.

Quick Start

Start by collecting symptoms, reproduce steps, and run root-cause investigation.

Frequently Asked Questions about investigate

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

FAQPage Schema

How do I find the root cause of a recurring software bug?▼

To find the root cause of a software bug, use a structured investigation process that collects symptoms, stack traces, and reproduction steps across your codebase. This ensures you fix the underlying failure rather than patching symptoms.

What is the best way to debug an application using stack traces?▼

Debugging with stack traces works by gathering the trace alongside error messages and reproduction steps, then analyzing this evidence to form hypotheses. This structured approach guides you safely from investigation to a verifiable fix.

How do I structure my debugging process to avoid patching symptoms?▼

Structure your debugging process using four phases: investigate, analyze, hypothesize, and implement. This sequence ensures you gather evidence, identify the root cause, and apply safe, verifiable fixes instead of temporary patches.

Can I use structured root-cause investigation for any unexpected software behavior?▼

Yes, structured root-cause investigation applies to any unexpected software behavior or reported errors. It systematically pinpoints failures by collecting evidence and reproduction steps across the codebase to guide your debugging.

Why does my debugging process fail to stop recurring bugs?▼

Debugging fails to stop recurring bugs when it patches symptoms instead of the root cause. A structured investigation approach prevents this by prescribing evidence gathering, hypothesis formation, and safe implementation guardrails.

Does systematic debugging require specific dependencies or tools?▼

Systematic debugging requires no specific external dependencies, relying instead on a structured methodology. It uses evidence gathering and tools like web search and grep to guide you through investigate, analyze, hypothesize, and implement phases.