Investigation Patterns

Analyze codebases with file:line citations and structured investigation phases.

71|2|Updated Feb 23, 2024
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/takeokunn/nixos-configuration --skill investigation-patterns-takeokunn
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: Investigation Patterns
Source: https://github.com/takeokunn/nixos-configuration/tree/main/home-manager/programs/claude-code/skills/methodology/investigation-patterns
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/takeokunn/nixos-configuration --skill investigation-patterns-takeokunn

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Investigation Patterns help engineers systematically analyze codebases and debugging tasks with an evidence-based approach, reducing guesswork and improving traceability.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Evidence-driven analysis: Collect and cite file:line references for every finding.
  • Structured investigation flow: Reproduce, isolate, investigate, hypothesize, and fix with explicit confidence and coverage metrics.
  • Use Case: When debugging a tricky bug in a large codebase, apply these patterns to produce reproducible findings and a testable hypothesis.

Quick Start

This skill guides you through a disciplined investigation workflow. To begin, ask your AI to apply the investigation patterns to your target codebase.

Frequently Asked Questions about Investigation Patterns

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I systematically debug code in an unfamiliar codebase?

To debug unfamiliar code systematically, apply structured investigation patterns that enforce evidence-based analysis through phases like reproduce, isolate, investigate, hypothesize, and fix. This approach mandates citing file:line references for every finding to ensure traceability.

What is evidence-based code analysis and how does it work?

Evidence-based code analysis is a debugging method that requires collecting and citing file:line references for every finding. It works by guiding engineers through structured phases—reproduce, isolate, investigate, hypothesize, fix—while tracking explicit confidence and coverage metrics.

How do I trace the source of a recurring defect in a large codebase?

Trace recurring defects by following a structured investigation flow that isolates the problem and builds a testable hypothesis. It enforces multi-source verification and confidence metrics to ensure your source-tracing produces reproducible findings rather than guesswork.

How do I improve traceability and accuracy when analyzing code behavior?

Improve traceability and accuracy by applying investigation patterns that require file:line citations and multi-source verification for every code behavior finding. This structured approach reduces guesswork and ensures high confidence in your analysis results.

Can I use this structured debugging approach for any software engineering project?

Yes, you can apply these investigation patterns to any software engineering project where accuracy and traceability matter. It is specifically designed to work across large codebases, unfamiliar projects, and recurring defects without requiring specific dependencies.