investigate

Name: investigate
Availability: InStock
Author: tropeks

Guide engineers through structured four-phase root-cause debugging from symptoms to verification.

Updated Mar 26, 2026

Search Tags:#debugging #investigate #root-cause #phase-based #bug-trace #gstack

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/tropeks/Vitali --skill investigate-tropeks

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: investigate
Source: https://github.com/tropeks/Vitali/tree/main/.claude/skills/gstack-investigate
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/tropeks/Vitali --skill investigate-tropeks

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Root-cause debugging is hard and time-consuming. This Skill guides engineers through a repeatable, phase-driven approach to uncover the true cause of failures rather than patching symptoms.

Core Features & Use Cases

Structured phases: collect symptoms, read code, generate and test hypotheses, verify fixes.
Guided experimentation: lightweight instrumentation and evidence gathering to confirm root causes.
Use Case: when a bug surfaces in a service, this Skill helps you trace the failure through logs, traces, and code paths and propose a minimal, verifiable fix.

Quick Start

Ask me to start the root-cause investigation flow with investigate, and I will guide you through collecting symptoms, forming hypotheses, testing, and implementing fixes.

Frequently Asked Questions about investigate

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

FAQPage Schema

What is a structured approach for root-cause debugging in a software service?▼

Root-cause debugging uses a four-phase process to uncover true failure causes: collecting symptoms, reading code, generating and testing hypotheses, and verifying fixes. This prevents patching symptoms and ensures a repeatable investigation flow.

How do I trace a bug through logs and code paths to find the root cause?▼

You trace bugs by collecting symptoms, reading code paths, and using guided experimentation with lightweight instrumentation. This approach gathers evidence from logs and traces to confirm root causes before proposing a minimal, verifiable fix.

What is the best way to verify a bug fix and prevent regressions?▼

The best way to verify a bug fix is through the final phase of root-cause debugging, which requires running tests and regression checks. This confirms the proposed minimal fix resolves the failure without introducing new issues.

Do I need a stable environment to reproduce errors for root-cause debugging?▼

Yes, root-cause debugging requires a stable environment to collect logs and reproduce errors. A stable setup ensures accurate evidence gathering and reliable hypothesis testing during the investigation phases.

When should I use a phase-based investigation flow instead of ad-hoc debugging?▼

You should use a phase-based investigation flow when a bug surfaces in a service or deployment and ad-hoc debugging is time-consuming. It provides a repeatable, structured process to move from symptoms to a verified fix.