skills.rest
pproenca
pproencaCOMMUNITY
Explore all skills by this author →
𝕏@ThePedroProencaGitHub

root-cause-tracing

Trace bugs backward through call stacks to identify original sources.

Updated Dec 14, 2025
Search Tags:#debugging#root cause#troubleshooting#bug fix#software development#call stack#tracing
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/pproenca/dot-claude --skill root-cause-tracing-pproenca
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: root-cause-tracing
Source: https://github.com/pproenca/dot-claude/tree/main/plugins/super/skills/root-cause-tracing
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/pproenca/dot-claude --skill root-cause-tracing-pproenca

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Bugs often manifest deep in the call stack, leading to the temptation to fix symptoms rather than the original trigger, resulting in recurring issues and wasted debugging time.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Backward Traceability: Systematically traces bugs backward through the call stack to identify the original source of invalid data or incorrect behavior.
  • Instrumentation Guidance: Provides patterns for adding diagnostic logging and stack traces to gather crucial evidence.
  • Polluter Identification: Includes a script to bisect and find which test or code introduces unwanted state or files, streamlining debugging.
  • Use Case: When an error occurs deep within a complex system, this skill guides you to trace back through the execution flow, pinpointing the exact line of code where the problem originates, rather than just patching the visible symptom.

Quick Start

I'm seeing an error about 'file not found' deep in the logs. Use the root-cause-tracing skill to help me find where the incorrect file path is being generated.

Frequently Asked Questions about root-cause-tracing

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I trace a bug back through the call stack to find where it originates?▼

Root-cause tracing systematically walks backward through the call stack from where an error manifests to identify the original source of invalid data or incorrect behavior. This uncovers the actual trigger rather than just the symptom, preventing recurring issues.

Why do bugs deep in execution seem hard to fix, and how do I find the real problem?▼

Errors occurring deep in complex systems often tempt quick symptom fixes that recur. Root-cause tracing guides you through execution flow to pinpoint the exact line where the problem originates, enabling permanent solutions.

How do I add diagnostic logging and instrumentation to gather evidence for debugging?▼

Root-cause tracing provides patterns for adding diagnostic logging and stack traces to collect evidence needed for backward tracing. Instrumentation guidance helps you instrument code strategically across layers.

Can I identify which test or code change introduced unwanted state or files?▼

Root-cause tracing includes bisection scripts that isolate which test or code segment introduces unwanted state or misplaced files, streamlining identification of the polluter in your codebase.

When should I use backward tracing instead of fixing the immediate error?▼

Use backward tracing when errors manifest with long call stacks and ambiguous immediate causes—especially with file path issues, misplaced files, or incorrect directory references where symptoms mask the actual source.

Related Skills

Explore More Software Engineering Skills→
CrumbgrabberCrumbgrabber
3

root-cause-tracing

Trace bugs backward through the call stack to identify original triggers.

Community
Advanced
SprocketLabSprocketLab
138

fix-solution

Automate iterative test-and-fix loops for benchmark problems across checkpoints.

Official
Intermediate
Khoatran1999Khoatran1999

Root Cause Tracing

Trace bugs backward through call stacks to locate original triggers.

Community
Advanced
udecodeudecode
240

trace

Trace bugs backward through the call stack to identify original error triggers.

Official
Advanced