investigate

Debug software issues through four root-cause investigation phases.

Updated Aug 23, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/ingoatl/propertycentral --skill investigate-ingoatl
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: investigate
Source: https://github.com/ingoatl/propertycentral/tree/main/.claude/skills/gstack/investigate
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/ingoatl/propertycentral --skill investigate-ingoatl

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Root-cause debugging for software issues is hard and error-prone. This skill provides a disciplined, four-phase framework to systematically uncover the true cause before attempting fixes.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Structured four-phase process: investigate, analyze, hypothesize, implement.
  • Guidance on collecting symptoms, reading code, checking changes, reproducing issues, and locking scope.
  • Clear escalation guidelines for uncertain cases and safe handling.

Quick Start

Begin by collecting symptoms, tracing code paths, and following the four phases to identify the root cause before implementing a fix.

Frequently Asked Questions about investigate

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I systematically debug a software issue to find the root cause?

The four phases of root-cause debugging are investigate, analyze, hypothesize, and implement. This structured workflow enforces collecting symptoms, tracing code paths, testing hypotheses, and verifying fixes before deployment.

What's the best way to investigate a crash or performance regression?

The best way to investigate crashes and performance anomalies is a structured root-cause analysis workflow. It guides you to collect symptoms, check recent changes, read code paths, and reproduce the issue before attempting fixes.

How does a hypothesis-testing workflow work for debugging code?

Hypothesis-testing in debugging works by locking scope after the investigation and analysis phases. You form a hypothesis about the root cause, then use tools like Bash and Grep to verify data and reason about the code before implementing a fix.

Can I use this root-cause analysis workflow for user-reported bugs?

Yes, this root-cause analysis workflow explicitly covers user-reported bugs. It systematically guides you through collecting symptoms, tracing code paths, and reproducing the issue across code, tests, and deployments.

When should I escalate an issue during root-cause analysis?

You should escalate during root-cause analysis when facing uncertain cases after the investigate and analyze phases. The workflow provides clear escalation guidelines for uncertain cases and ensures safe handling of complex debugging scenarios.