a5c-ai/systematic-debugging
library/methodologies/superpowers/skills/systematic-debugging/SKILL.md
Use when encountering any bug, test failure, or unexpected behavior, before proposing fixes. Requires root cause investigation first.
$ install --global
skillsauthnpx skillsauth add a5c-ai/babysitter systematic-debuggingInstall this skill globally with one command. Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and Windsurf.
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TrivyContainer and dependency vulnerability scanner
95%
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SemgrepStatic code analysis for vulnerabilities
95%
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mcp-scan (Snyk)Model Context Protocol security validation
95%
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Snyk (dep)Open source security scanning
50%
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Socket.devSupply chain security analysis
50%
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VirusTotalMulti-engine malware detection
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CrowdStrikeAdvanced threat intelligence
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OSV-ScannerOpen Source Vulnerability database check
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OWASP Dep-Check
50%
Last scanned: Apr 1, 2026, 12:37 PM63.0s2 files scanned
SKILL.md
- name:
- systematic-debugging
- description:
- Use when encountering any bug, test failure, or unexpected behavior, before proposing fixes. Requires root cause investigation first.
Systematic Debugging
Overview
Random fixes waste time and create new bugs. ALWAYS find root cause before attempting fixes.
Core principle: No fixes without root cause investigation first.
The Four Phases
- Root Cause Investigation - Read errors, reproduce, check changes, gather evidence at component boundaries
- Pattern Analysis - Find working examples, compare against references, identify differences
- Hypothesis and Testing - Form single hypothesis, test minimally, one variable at a time
- Implementation - Create failing test case, implement single fix, verify
When 3+ Fixes Fail
Stop and question the architecture. Pattern of repeated failures indicates architectural problems, not implementation bugs.
Red Flags (STOP and Follow Process)
- "Quick fix for now"
- "Just try changing X"
- Proposing solutions before tracing data flow
- "One more fix attempt" (when already tried 2+)
Agents Used
- Process agents defined in
systematic-debugging.js
Tool Use
Invoke via babysitter process: methodologies/superpowers/systematic-debugging
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