How does Root Cause Tracing differ from standard debugging?

Standard debugging often focuses on where an error occurs; Root Cause Tracing emphasizes moving backward through the call chain to find the original trigger that caused the invalid state.

When should I use this skill?

Use it when errors occur deep in execution, when a stack trace shows a long call chain, or when it is unclear where invalid data originated.

What is defense-in-depth in the context of this skill?

It refers to adding validation at every layer of the call chain once a root cause is found, making future bugs impossible and providing clearer error messages.

Can this skill help with flaky or polluting tests?

Yes, it includes guidance on using bisection scripts to run tests one-by-one to identify which specific test is causing environmental side effects.

Root Cause Tracing

Name: Root Cause Tracing
Author: seanGSISG

byseanGSISG

安全与测试

Systematically traces bugs backward through the call stack to identify and fix the original source of errors rather than just symptoms.

关于

Root Cause Tracing is a specialized debugging skill that provides a structured framework for navigating deep call stacks to find the original trigger of a bug. Instead of applying superficial fixes to where an error manifests, this skill guides you through a backward-tracing process, implementing strategic instrumentation and defense-in-depth validation layers. It is particularly effective for complex systems where invalid data originates several layers above the eventual failure point or when unidentified test pollution is causing side effects.

主要功能

Systematic backward call stack navigation
Test pollution identification via bisection scripts
Strategic instrumentation and custom stack trace logging
Defense-in-depth validation pattern implementation
Source-level bug resolution frameworks
0 GitHub stars

使用场景

Debugging errors that occur deep within complex execution chains or third-party libraries
Identifying the source of invalid data passed through multiple functions
Finding specific tests responsible for environmental pollution in large suites

关于

主要功能

Systematic backward call stack navigation
Test pollution identification via bisection scripts
Strategic instrumentation and custom stack trace logging
Defense-in-depth validation pattern implementation
Source-level bug resolution frameworks
0 GitHub stars

使用场景

Debugging errors that occur deep within complex execution chains or third-party libraries
Identifying the source of invalid data passed through multiple functions
Finding specific tests responsible for environmental pollution in large suites