Is this skill only for software bugs?

No, it is effective for any technical anomaly, including performance regressions, build failures, environment configuration issues, and integration problems.

When does the skill trigger a 'circuit breaker'?

The skill mandates a stop and architectural review if three consecutive hypotheses fail, if three attempted fixes fail, or if a root cause isn't found within 30 minutes.

What is the primary goal of the Systematic Debugging skill?

The primary goal is to ensure that Claude identifies the absolute root cause of a technical issue before attempting any code changes, preventing symptom-only fixes and regression errors.

How does the hypothesis testing phase work?

In Phase 3, Claude forms a specific theory, tests the smallest possible change to verify it, and tracks the results. If three theories fail, the process stops to prevent aimless code changes.

Can this skill be used with other Claude Code skills?

Yes, it is specifically designed to work alongside root-cause-tracing for deep stack issues and test-driven-development for creating failing test cases and verifying fixes.

Systematic Debugging

Name: Systematic Debugging
Author: LerianStudio

byLerianStudio

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Security & Testing

Implements a rigorous four-phase debugging framework that ensures the root cause is fully understood before any code fixes are attempted.

About

The Systematic Debugging skill provides a disciplined, step-by-step workflow for resolving complex technical issues ranging from test failures to performance regressions. By enforcing a mandatory sequence of investigation, pattern analysis, hypothesis testing, and implementation, it prevents inefficient 'guess-and-check' coding and premature fixes. The skill includes built-in circuit breakers—such as stopping after three failed hypotheses—to signal when an architectural review or escalation is necessary, ensuring Claude maintains the highest standards of software engineering quality and transparency.

Key Features

Integrated circuit breakers to prevent endless debugging loops and identify architectural flaws.
Seamless integration with TDD and root-cause-tracing for comprehensive error resolution.
Strict hypothesis tracking to isolate variables and document debugging progress.
17 GitHub stars
Four-phase framework covering investigation, pattern analysis, hypothesis testing, and implementation.
Mandatory root cause evidence gathering and data flow tracing before code modification.

Use Cases

Debugging complex multi-component systems where data flow crosses several boundaries.
Recovering from failed previous fix attempts that failed to address the underlying issue.
Resolving intermittent test failures or production bugs where the origin is not immediately clear.

About

Key Features

Integrated circuit breakers to prevent endless debugging loops and identify architectural flaws.
Seamless integration with TDD and root-cause-tracing for comprehensive error resolution.
Strict hypothesis tracking to isolate variables and document debugging progress.
17 GitHub stars
Four-phase framework covering investigation, pattern analysis, hypothesis testing, and implementation.
Mandatory root cause evidence gathering and data flow tracing before code modification.

Use Cases

Debugging complex multi-component systems where data flow crosses several boundaries.
Recovering from failed previous fix attempts that failed to address the underlying issue.
Resolving intermittent test failures or production bugs where the origin is not immediately clear.