investigate

Trace defects to root causes through a four-phase investigation workflow.

Updated Mar 21, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/TimHL5/carousel --skill investigate-timhl5
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: investigate
Source: https://github.com/TimHL5/carousel/tree/main/.claude/skills/gstack/investigate
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/TimHL5/carousel --skill investigate-timhl5

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Systematically identifies the root cause of defects before fixes, reducing rework and blast-radius.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Structured four-phase workflow (investigate, analyze, hypothesize, implement) to trace symptoms to root causes.
  • Integrated checks and evidence collection to validate hypotheses and prevent fix-attribution errors.
  • Reusable playbooks for debugging across codebases, services, and environments with guardrails and prompts.

Quick Start

To begin, run the root-cause investigation workflow on the failing symptom and follow the four-phase process to identify the underlying cause.

Frequently Asked Questions about investigate

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

FAQPage Schema
What is the best way to trace a failing function to its root cause?

Root-cause debugging traces symptoms to their underlying cause using a four-phase workflow: investigate, analyze, hypothesize, and implement. This structured approach collects evidence and runs controlled tests to eradicate defects before applying fixes, reducing rework.

How do I prevent fix-attribution errors during debugging?

Prevent fix-attribution errors by enforcing process requirements like collecting evidence and running controlled tests. The debugging workflow validates hypotheses explicitly before implementation, ensuring your fix targets the actual defect rather than a coincidental symptom.

How do I debug complex system failures across different services?

Debug complex system failures across services by applying reusable debugging playbooks with guardrails. The root-cause investigation workflow scales from a single failing function to complex system failures, guiding evidence collection and regression testing across environments.

When do I need to write regression tests for a bug fix?

Write regression tests during the implement phase of root-cause debugging. After tracing symptoms to their root cause and validating hypotheses with evidence, regression testing enforces process requirements to ensure the defect is eradicated and prevents future regressions.

What is the structured debugging process for identifying software defects?

The structured debugging process for identifying software defects follows four phases: investigate, analyze, hypothesize, and implement. It enforces collecting evidence and running controlled tests to systematically trace symptoms to their root cause before applying any code fixes.

Does this root-cause analysis workflow work for any codebase?

Yes, root-cause analysis applies to debugging tasks across projects, from a single failing function to complex system failures. Reusable playbooks provide guardrails and prompts to guide investigations across varying codebases, services, and environments.