investigate

Perform root cause analysis on software failures and bugs.

Updated Mar 28, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/24601/gastack-pre-fork --skill investigate-24601
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: investigate
Source: https://github.com/24601/gastack-pre-fork/tree/main/investigate
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/24601/gastack-pre-fork --skill investigate-24601

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Systematic debugging that prevents whack-a-mole fixes by forcing root cause investigation before any change. It turns vague bug reports and intermittent failures into a concrete, testable hypothesis and a minimal, verifiable fix.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Structured phases: collect symptoms, read code, check recent changes, reproduce, hypothesize, test, and implement a minimal fix with a regression test.
  • Scope locking and safety: supports freeze checks to limit edits to the affected module and avoids broad, unverified changes.
  • Verification-first workflow: requires reproducing the issue, instrumenting to confirm hypotheses, running the full test suite, and producing a structured debug report.
  • Use Case: reproduce a failing CI test, trace the failure to a recent commit, write a small fix plus a regression test, and run the suite to prove the problem is resolved.

Quick Start

Invoke the investigate skill with a concise symptom, reproduction steps, and any error output or failing test names so it can form a root cause hypothesis and propose a verified fix.

Frequently Asked Questions about investigate

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

FAQPage Schema
What is root cause analysis in software debugging?▼

Root cause analysis in software debugging is the structured process of identifying the fundamental source of a failure before applying fixes, using collected symptoms, code reading, and reproduction to prevent recurring whack-a-mole bugs.

How do I fix a failing CI test and prevent regressions?▼

To fix a failing CI test, you reproduce the failure, trace it through recent git history changes, form a hypothesis, implement a minimal diff, and add a regression test to verify the bug is resolved without side effects.

Can I use git history to trace an intermittent production error to a specific commit?▼

Yes, you can use git history to check recent changes and trace intermittent production errors to a specific commit, forming a testable hypothesis by instrumenting source files to confirm the exact failure mechanism.

What is the best way to debug local regressions using stack traces?▼

The best way to debug local regressions using stack traces is to lock the investigation scope to the affected module, reproduce the error with local shell tools, and verify a minimal fix against the full test suite.

How do I stop applying whack-a-mole fixes to vague bug reports?▼

You stop applying whack-a-mole fixes by enforcing a verification-first workflow that requires reproducing vague bug reports, hypothesizing root causes, and producing structured debug reports with minimal, verifiable source changes.