investigate

Guide root-cause debugging through investigate, analyze, hypothesize, and implement phases.

Updated Apr 24, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/MissTully/Gstack --skill investigate-misstully
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: investigate
Source: https://github.com/MissTully/Gstack/tree/main/investigate
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/MissTully/Gstack --skill investigate-misstully

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Root-cause debugging is a structured, repeatable approach that helps engineers quickly find the true cause of bugs and avoid premature fixes.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Four-phase workflow: investigate, analyze, hypothesize, implement to isolate and verify root causes.
  • Deterministic, tool-assisted debugging: uses Bash, Read, Write, Edit, Grep, Glob, AskUserQuestion, and WebSearch to reproduce, reason about, and validate fixes.
  • Use Case: when a bug or regression appears, follow a disciplined, phase-driven process to identify the underlying issue and confirm a safe fix.

Quick Start

Describe the issue you want investigated and I will guide you through the four-phase root-cause workflow.

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 help fix software bugs faster?

Root-cause debugging is a structured approach that isolates the true cause of software bugs before applying fixes. It prevents premature patches by guiding engineers through systematic investigation, ensuring the underlying issue is resolved rather than just symptoms.

How do I debug a software regression or exception systematically?

Debug a regression systematically by following a four-phase workflow: investigate, analyze, hypothesize, and implement. Reproduce the error, reason about the isolated root cause, and validate the fix before deployment.

Can I use Bash and Grep to reproduce and isolate codebase errors?

Yes. The workflow uses deterministic Bash, Grep, Glob, Read, and Write tools to reproduce errors, search codebases, and validate fixes. It also supports WebSearch and AskUserQuestion for gathering external context.

What's the best way to debug performance problems across service integrations?

Debug performance problems across integrations by following a disciplined four-phase process: investigate symptoms, analyze data, hypothesize the root cause, and implement a verified fix using deterministic tooling.

Does this debugging workflow support investigating errors in any programming language?

Yes. The workflow applies to errors, exceptions, and performance problems across any codebases, services, or integrations. It uses generic file and shell tools rather than language-specific analyzers.

When should I avoid a structured root-cause investigation workflow?

Avoid a structured root-cause investigation for trivial syntax errors or immediate hotfixes where the cause is already obvious, as the four-phase process adds overhead best reserved for complex regressions.