{"slug":"systematic-debugging-5","title":"systematic-debugging","summary":"Use when encountering any bug, test failure, or unexpected behavior, before proposing fixes","platform":"Claude","tags":[],"authorName":"LLM Mart","authorSlug":"llm-mart","score":0,"source":"github","price":null,"verified":false,"createdAt":"2026-08-31T16:20:52.610942Z","repo":{"url":"https://github.com/mvschwarz/openrig","stars":371,"forks":51,"license":"Apache-2.0","updatedAt":"2026-09-25T04:59:18Z"},"bodyHtml":"
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name: systematic-debugging\ndescription: Use when encountering any bug, test failure, or unexpected behavior, before proposing fixes\nmetadata:\nopenrig:\nvendored_from: \"Obra Superpowers (https://github.com/obra/superpowers)\"\nvendoring_pattern: vendored-as-is\nlast_upstream_check: \"2026-05-13 (diff against plugin source pulled 2026-05-11 = identical)\"

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Systematic Debugging

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Overview

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Random fixes waste time and create new bugs. Quick patches mask underlying issues.

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Core principle: ALWAYS find root cause before attempting fixes. Symptom fixes are failure.

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Violating the letter of this process is violating the spirit of debugging.

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The Iron Law

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NO FIXES WITHOUT ROOT CAUSE INVESTIGATION FIRST\n
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If you haven't completed Phase 1, you cannot propose fixes.

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When to Use

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Use for ANY technical issue:

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Use this ESPECIALLY when:

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Don't skip when:

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The Four Phases

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You MUST complete each phase before proceeding to the next.

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Phase 1: Root Cause Investigation

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BEFORE attempting ANY fix:

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  1. Read Error Messages Carefully

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    2. \n

  2. Reproduce Consistently

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    3. \n

  3. Check Recent Changes

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    4. \n

  4. Gather Evidence in Multi-Component Systems

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    WHEN system has multiple components (CI → build → signing, API → service → database):

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    BEFORE proposing fixes, add diagnostic instrumentation:

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    For EACH component boundary:\n  - Log what data enters component\n  - Log what data exits component\n  - Verify environment/config propagation\n  - Check state at each layer\n\nRun once to gather evidence showing WHERE it breaks\nTHEN analyze evidence to identify failing component\nTHEN investigate that specific component\n
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    Example (multi-layer system):

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    # Layer 1: Workflow\necho \"=== Secrets available in workflow: ===\"\necho \"IDENTITY: ${IDENTITY:+SET}${IDENTITY:-UNSET}\"\n\n# Layer 2: Build script\necho \"=== Env vars in build script: ===\"\nenv | grep IDENTITY || echo \"IDENTITY not in environment\"\n\n# Layer 3: Signing script\necho \"=== Keychain state: ===\"\nsecurity list-keychains\nsecurity find-identity -v\n\n# Layer 4: Actual signing\ncodesign --sign \"$IDENTITY\" --verbose=4 \"$APP\"\n
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    This reveals: Which layer fails (secrets → workflow ✓, workflow → build ✗)

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    5. \n

  5. Trace Data Flow

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    WHEN error is deep in call stack:

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    See root-cause-tracing.md in this directory for the complete backward tracing technique.

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    Quick version:

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    6. \n
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Phase 2: Pattern Analysis

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Find the pattern before fixing:

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  1. Find Working Examples

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    2. \n

  2. Compare Against References

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    3. \n

  3. Identify Differences

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    4. \n

  4. Understand Dependencies

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    5. \n
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Phase 3: Hypothesis and Testing

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Scientific method:

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  1. Form Single Hypothesis

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    2. \n

  2. Test Minimally

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    3. \n

  3. Verify Before Continuing

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    4. \n

  4. When You Don't Know

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    5. \n
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Phase 4: Implementation

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Fix the root cause, not the symptom:

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  1. Create Failing Test Case

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    2. \n

  2. Implement Single Fix

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    3. \n

  3. Verify Fix

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    4. \n

  4. If Fix Doesn't Work

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    5. \n

  5. If 3+ Fixes Failed: Question Architecture

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    Pattern indicating architectural problem:

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    STOP and question fundamentals:

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    Discuss with your human partner before attempting more fixes

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    This is NOT a failed hypothesis - this is a wrong architecture.

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    6. \n
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Red Flags - STOP and Follow Process

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If you catch yourself thinking:

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ALL of these mean: STOP. Return to Phase 1.

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If 3+ fixes failed: Question the architecture (see Phase 4.5)

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your human partner's Signals You're Doing It Wrong

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Watch for these redirections:

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When you see these: STOP. Return to Phase 1.

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Common Rationalizations

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ExcuseReality
\"Issue is simple, don't need process\"Simple issues have root causes too. Process is fast for simple bugs.
\"Emergency, no time for process\"Systematic debugging is FASTER than guess-and-check thrashing.
\"Just try this first, then investigate\"First fix sets the pattern. Do it right from the start.
\"I'll write test after confirming fix works\"Untested fixes don't stick. Test first proves it.
\"Multiple fixes at once saves time\"Can't isolate what worked. Causes new bugs.
\"Reference too long, I'll adapt the pattern\"Partial understanding guarantees bugs. Read it completely.
\"I see the problem, let me fix it\"Seeing symptoms ≠ understanding root cause.
\"One more fix attempt\" (after 2+ failures)3+ failures = architectural problem. Question pattern, don't fix again.
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Quick Reference

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PhaseKey ActivitiesSuccess Criteria
1. Root CauseRead errors, reproduce, check changes, gather evidenceUnderstand WHAT and WHY
2. PatternFind working examples, compareIdentify differences
3. HypothesisForm theory, test minimallyConfirmed or new hypothesis
4. ImplementationCreate test, fix, verifyBug resolved, tests pass
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When Process Reveals \"No Root Cause\"

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If systematic investigation reveals issue is truly environmental, timing-dependent, or external:

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  1. You've completed the process
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  2. Document what you investigated
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  3. Implement appropriate handling (retry, timeout, error message)
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  4. Add monitoring/logging for future investigation
    5. \n
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But: 95% of \"no root cause\" cases are incomplete investigation.

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Supporting Techniques

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These techniques are part of systematic debugging and available in this directory:

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Related skills:

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Real-World Impact

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From debugging sessions:

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