What is the 'Iron Law' of systematic debugging?

The Iron Law dictates that no fixes should be proposed or implemented until the root cause of the issue has been definitively identified and evidenced through investigation.

How does this skill handle complex multi-component systems?

It uses diagnostic instrumentation to log data at every component boundary, helping to isolate exactly where a failure occurs in a distributed system (e.g., from API to database).

Is this process too slow for simple bugs?

No, the process is designed to be efficient. For simple issues, the phases complete quickly, but the rigor ensures that even 'simple' bugs are fixed at their source.

What happens if multiple fix attempts fail?

If three or more fixes fail to resolve the issue, the skill stops the process to question the underlying architecture, preventing further trial-and-error changes.

Why is systematic debugging better than traditional trial-and-error?

It significantly reduces 'thrashing' and the introduction of new bugs by replacing guessing with a scientific method of hypothesis, minimal testing, and verification.

Systematic Debugging

Name: Systematic Debugging
Author: BbgnsurfTech

byBbgnsurfTech

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Seguridad y Pruebas

Eliminates trial-and-error debugging by enforcing a rigorous, root-cause-first methodology for all technical issues.

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The Systematic Debugging skill transforms how Claude handles bugs, test failures, and unexpected behaviors by implementing a mandatory four-phase workflow: Root Cause Investigation, Pattern Analysis, Hypothesis Testing, and Implementation. Instead of proposing 'quick fixes' or guessing, this skill requires deep evidence gathering and diagnostic instrumentation before any code changes are made. It is specifically designed to stop 'thrashing' in complex systems, ensuring that every fix addresses the fundamental source of a problem rather than just masking its symptoms, which significantly reduces regressions and architectural debt.

Características Principales

Mandatory 'Iron Law' enforcement requiring evidence before proposing solutions.
Multi-component diagnostic instrumentation for tracing data across service boundaries.
3 GitHub stars
Architectural health checks triggered automatically after three failed fix attempts.
Strict 4-phase debugging protocol to prevent premature or incorrect fixes.
Backward data-flow tracing techniques for deep call-stack error resolution.

Casos de Uso

Troubleshooting production bugs where previous 'quick patches' have failed to resolve the issue.
Isolating root causes in distributed systems where data passes through multiple service layers.
Resolving intermittent test failures in complex CI/CD pipelines and build environments.

Acerca de

Características Principales

Mandatory 'Iron Law' enforcement requiring evidence before proposing solutions.
Multi-component diagnostic instrumentation for tracing data across service boundaries.
3 GitHub stars
Architectural health checks triggered automatically after three failed fix attempts.
Strict 4-phase debugging protocol to prevent premature or incorrect fixes.
Backward data-flow tracing techniques for deep call-stack error resolution.

Casos de Uso

Troubleshooting production bugs where previous 'quick patches' have failed to resolve the issue.
Isolating root causes in distributed systems where data passes through multiple service layers.
Resolving intermittent test failures in complex CI/CD pipelines and build environments.