investigate

Diagnose software failures through a four-phase root-cause investigation workflow.

Updated Mar 14, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/Bradliebs/VolumeTurtle --skill investigate-bradliebs
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: investigate
Source: https://github.com/Bradliebs/VolumeTurtle/tree/main/.gstack/investigate
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/Bradliebs/VolumeTurtle --skill investigate-bradliebs

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Systematic debugging with root-cause investigation to identify underlying issues rather than patching symptoms.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Four-phase workflow: investigate, analyze, hypothesize, implement to guide problem solving.
  • Iron Law: no fixes without root cause evidence, ensuring durable resolutions.
  • Proactive invocation: can be triggered when users report errors or broken behavior to steer debugging.
  • Evidence gathering: uses Grep, Read, and WebSearch to collect traces, logs, and contextual data.

Quick Start

Describe the bug to start the root-cause investigation and let the skill guide the four phases to surface the real fix.

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 how does it fix software failures?

Root-cause debugging identifies the underlying source of software failures using evidence like stack traces and logs, ensuring durable resolutions rather than temporarily patching symptoms.

How do I debug a stack trace to find the actual error?

Debug a stack trace through a four-phase workflow: investigate, analyze, hypothesize, and implement. Gather contextual data using Grep, Read, and WebSearch to surface the verified root cause.

What is the best way to investigate unexpected application behavior across deployments?

Investigate unexpected behavior by gathering evidence from code, configurations, and deployments, enforcing an Iron Law that requires verified root cause evidence before applying any fixes.

Can I use this systematic debugging approach for errors in configurations and code?

Yes, systematic debugging applies to errors and unexpected behavior across code, configurations, and deployments, guiding you through investigation phases to implement fixes based on verified evidence.

Why should I avoid patching symptoms during root-cause analysis?

Avoid patching symptoms because the Iron Law of root-cause analysis mandates that no fixes be applied without verified root cause evidence, ensuring the underlying issue is durably resolved.