investigate

Investigate bugs through four phases before applying fixes.

Updated Apr 20, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/sennett-lau/alice --skill investigate-sennett-lau
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: investigate
Source: https://github.com/sennett-lau/alice/tree/main/framework/skills/investigate
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/sennett-lau/alice --skill investigate-sennett-lau

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Systematic debugging with root cause investigation that prevents patching the symptoms and enforces a four-phase workflow to reach durable fixes.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Four-phase workflow: investigate, analyze, hypothesize, implement to structure debugging.
  • Evidence gathering: collects symptoms, log fragments, traces, and diffs to validate hypotheses.
  • Iron Law guardrail: no fixes without root-cause confirmation.

Quick Start

Invoke root-cause debugging by telling the agent to start the investigation workflow.

Frequently Asked Questions about investigate

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I perform root-cause debugging on an intermittent stack trace instead of just patching symptoms?

Root-cause debugging enforces a four-phase workflow—investigate, analyze, hypothesize, implement—to systematically resolve stack traces and intermittent failures. It collects evidence like log fragments and diffs to validate hypotheses, ensuring durable fixes rather than superficial patches.

What is hypothesis-testing debugging and how does it prevent guesswork when fixing errors?

Hypothesis-testing debugging is a structured approach that requires forming and validating hypotheses with concrete evidence before applying fixes. By using an iron law guardrail that blocks fixes without root-cause confirmation, it eliminates guesswork and prevents recurring errors.

How do I start an investigation workflow for an error across multiple modules?

To start an investigation workflow, invoke the agent to begin the structured debugging process. The workflow gathers data using tools like Bash, Grep, and Read to collect symptoms and traces across modules, guiding you sequentially through the investigation and analysis phases.

Do I need a specific workspace setup to run phase-based debugging?

Yes, phase-based debugging requires a project-local .tmp workspace to function correctly. This workspace serves as a scratch area where the automation tools can write intermediate findings, collect log fragments, and store trace data during the investigation phases.

What is the best way to debug intermittent failures using evidence gathering?

The best way to debug intermittent failures is using a structured evidence-gathering workflow that collects symptoms, log fragments, and diffs at each step. This phase-based approach validates hypotheses with concrete data before implementation, ensuring the root cause is confirmed.

Can I use this systematic debugging workflow for errors across different modules?

Yes, this systematic debugging workflow applies to errors, stack traces, and intermittent failures across multiple modules. It uses Bash, Grep, and Glob tools to collect data project-wide, forming and verifying hypotheses to reach durable fixes regardless of the module boundaries.