root-cause

Analyze problems with the 5 Whys methodology and classify root causes.

1|1|Updated Jan 22, 2026

Search Tags:#debugging #problem solving #root cause analysis #5 whys #systematic diagnosis #principle generation

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/csuzngjh/principles --skill root-cause-csuzngjh

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: root-cause
Source: https://github.com/csuzngjh/principles/tree/main/claude/skills/root-cause
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/csuzngjh/principles --skill root-cause-csuzngjh

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This Skill helps you move beyond surface-level issues to identify the fundamental reasons why a problem occurred, preventing recurrence.

Core Features & Use Cases

Systematic Diagnosis: Employs the "5 Whys" technique to drill down to the root cause.
Cause Classification: Categorizes the root cause into People, Design, or Assumption.
Principle Generation: Suggests new principles to prevent similar issues in the future.
Use Case: After a critical bug is found in production, use this Skill to analyze its origin, understand if it was a coding error, a design flaw, or a faulty assumption, and define a new coding standard to prevent it.

Quick Start

Analyze the root cause of the recent deployment failure using the 5 Whys method and classify the issue.

Frequently Asked Questions about root-cause

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

FAQPage Schema

How do I perform root cause analysis for a production bug?▼

The 5 Whys methodology works by systematically questioning each proximal cause to drill down to the fundamental root cause. It uncovers systemic or cognitive origins, classifies them into People, Design, or Assumption categories, and generates prevention principles.

How do I classify the root cause of a system failure into categories?▼

Root cause analysis helps prevent recurring problems by moving beyond surface-level issues to identify fundamental origins. After classifying the root cause, it generates candidate principles to define new standards and prevent similar future issues.

What is the best way to uncover systemic issues after a deployment failure?▼

Problem solving through root cause analysis is highly effective for post-incident review. It moves beyond surface-level debugging to systematically uncover the true source of problems and classify whether they stem from People, Design, or Assumption errors.

Can I generate new coding principles from a recent debugging incident?▼

Yes, you can use root cause analysis for software engineering issues without specific dependencies. The Skill performs systematic diagnosis internally using the 5 Whys methodology, requiring only the problem description to classify causes and generate principles.