debug

pproenca/dot-skills · updated Apr 8, 2026

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$npx skills add https://github.com/pproenca/dot-skills --skill debug
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summary

Comprehensive debugging methodology guide for software engineers, containing 54 rules across 10 categories prioritized by impact. Based on research from Andreas Zeller's "Why Programs Fail" and academic debugging curricula.

skill.md

dot-skills Debugging Best Practices

Comprehensive debugging methodology guide for software engineers, containing 54 rules across 10 categories prioritized by impact. Based on research from Andreas Zeller's "Why Programs Fail" and academic debugging curricula.

When to Apply

Reference these guidelines when:

  • Investigating a bug or unexpected behavior
  • Debugging code during development
  • Code produces wrong results or crashes
  • Performance issues need root cause analysis
  • Triaging incoming bug reports and prioritizing fixes
  • Conducting root cause analysis for incidents
  • Reviewing debugging approaches or code for common bug patterns

Rule Categories by Priority

Priority Category Impact Prefix
1 Problem Definition CRITICAL prob-
2 Hypothesis-Driven Search CRITICAL hypo-
3 Observation Techniques HIGH obs-
4 Root Cause Analysis HIGH rca-
5 Tool Mastery MEDIUM-HIGH tool-
6 Bug Triage and Classification MEDIUM triage-
7 Common Bug Patterns MEDIUM pattern-
8 Fix Verification MEDIUM verify-
9 Anti-Patterns MEDIUM anti-
10 Prevention & Learning LOW-MEDIUM prev-

Quick Reference

1. Problem Definition (CRITICAL)

  • prob-reproduce-before-debug - Reproduce the bug before investigating
  • prob-minimal-reproduction - Create minimal reproduction cases
  • prob-document-symptoms - Document symptoms precisely
  • prob-separate-symptoms-causes - Separate symptoms from causes
  • prob-state-expected-actual - State expected vs actual behavior
  • prob-recent-changes - Check recent changes first

2. Hypothesis-Driven Search (CRITICAL)

  • hypo-scientific-method - Apply the scientific method
  • hypo-binary-search - Use binary search to localize bugs
  • hypo-one-change-at-time - Test one hypothesis at a time
  • hypo-where-not-what - Find WHERE before asking WHAT
  • hypo-rule-out-obvious - Rule out obvious causes first
  • hypo-rubber-duck - Explain the problem aloud

3. Observation Techniques (HIGH)

  • obs-strategic-logging - Use strategic logging
  • obs-log-inputs-outputs - Log function inputs and outputs
  • obs-breakpoint-strategy - Use breakpoints strategically
  • obs-stack-trace-reading - Read stack traces bottom to top
  • obs-watch-expressions - Use watch expressions for state
  • obs-trace-data-flow - Trace data flow through system

4. Root Cause Analysis (HIGH)

  • rca-five-whys - Use the 5 Whys technique
  • rca-fault-propagation - Trace fault propagation chains
  • rca-last-known-good - Find the last known good state
  • rca-question-assumptions - Question your assumptions
  • rca-examine-boundaries - Examine system boundaries

5. Tool Mastery (MEDIUM-HIGH)

  • tool-conditional-breakpoints - Use conditional breakpoints
  • tool-logpoints - Use logpoints instead of modifying code
  • tool-step-commands - Master step over/into/out
  • tool-call-stack-navigation - Navigate the call stack
  • tool-memory-inspection - Inspect memory and object state
  • tool-exception-breakpoints - Use exception breakpoints

6. Bug Triage and Classification (MEDIUM)

  • triage-severity-vs-priority - Separate severity from priority
  • triage-user-impact-assessment - Assess user impact before prioritizing
  • triage-reproducibility-matters - Factor reproducibility into triage
  • triage-quick-wins-first - Identify and ship quick wins first
  • triage-duplicate-detection - Detect and link duplicate bug reports

7. Common Bug Patterns (MEDIUM)

  • pattern-null-pointer - Recognize null pointer patterns
  • pattern-off-by-one - Spot off-by-one errors
  • pattern-race-condition - Identify race condition symptoms
  • pattern-memory-leak - Detect memory leak patterns
  • pattern-type-coercion - Watch for type coercion bugs
  • pattern-async-await-errors - Catch async/await error handling mistakes
  • pattern-timezone-issues - Recognize timezone and date bugs

8. Fix Verification (MEDIUM)

  • verify-reproduce-fix - Verify with original reproduction
  • verify-regression-check - Check for regressions
  • verify-understand-why-fix-works - Understand why fix works
  • verify-add-test - Add test to prevent recurrence

9. Anti-Patterns (MEDIUM)

  • anti-shotgun-debugging - Avoid shotgun debugging
  • anti-quick-patch - Avoid quick patches without understanding
  • anti-tunnel-vision - Avoid tunnel vision on initial hypothesis
  • anti-debug-fatigue - Recognize debugging fatigue
  • anti-blame-tool - Don't blame the tool too quickly

10. Prevention & Learning (LOW-MEDIUM)

  • prev-document-solution - Document bug solutions
  • prev-postmortem - Conduct blameless postmortems
  • prev-defensive-coding - Add defensive code at boundaries
  • prev-improve-error-messages - Improve error messages

How to Use

Read individual reference files for detailed explanations and code examples:

Full Compiled Document

For the complete guide with all rules expanded: AGENTS.md

how to use debug

How to use debug on Cursor

AI-first code editor with Composer

1

Prerequisites

Before installing skills in Cursor, ensure your development environment meets these requirements:

  • Cursor installed and configured on your development machine
  • Node.js version 16.0+ with npm package manager (verify with node --version)
  • Active project directory or workspace where you want to add debug
2

Execute installation command

Execute the skills CLI command in your project's root directory to begin installation:

$npx skills add https://github.com/pproenca/dot-skills --skill debug

The skills CLI fetches debug from GitHub repository pproenca/dot-skills and configures it for Cursor.

3

Select Cursor when prompted

The CLI will show a list of available agents. Use arrow keys to navigate and space to select Cursor:

◆ Which agents do you want to install to?
│ ── Universal (.agents/skills) ── always included ────
│ • Amp
│ • Antigravity
│ • Cline
│ • Codex
│ ●Cursor(selected)
│ • Cursor
│ • Windsurf
4

Verify installation

Confirm successful installation by checking the skill directory location:

.cursor/skills/debug

Reload or restart Cursor to activate debug. Access the skill through slash commands (e.g., /debug) or your agent's skill management interface.

Security & Verification Notice

We perform automated surface-level scans (Gen AI Scanner, Socket, Snyk) during installation. These checks detect common vulnerabilities but do not guarantee complete security. Always review skill source code and verify the publisher's reputation before production use.

Skills execute code in your development environment. Always verify the publisher's identity, review recent commits, and test in isolated environments before production deployment.

List & Monetize Your Skill

Submit your Claude Code skill and start earning

GET_STARTED →

Use Cases

User Story & Requirements Generation

Create detailed user stories, acceptance criteria, and feature specs

Example

Generate user stories for 'password reset feature' with acceptance criteria, edge cases, and test scenarios

Reduce spec writing time by 50%, ensure comprehensive coverage

Competitive Analysis

Research competitors, compare features, identify gaps

Example

Analyze 5 competitor products, create feature comparison matrix, suggest differentiation opportunities

Complete competitive research in 2 hours instead of 2 days

Roadmap Prioritization

Evaluate features using frameworks (RICE, ICE, Kano) and create prioritized backlogs

Example

Score 20 feature ideas using RICE framework, generate prioritized roadmap with rationale

Make data-driven prioritization decisions faster

Stakeholder Communication

Draft PRDs, status updates, and stakeholder presentations

Example

Create executive summary of Q3 roadmap, monthly progress report, feature launch announcement

Save 3-5 hours/week on communication overhead

Implementation Guide

Prerequisites

  • Claude Desktop or compatible AI client
  • Access to product documentation and roadmap tools (Jira, Notion, etc.)
  • Understanding of product management frameworks (RICE, Jobs-to-be-Done, etc.)
  • Stakeholder contact information and communication channels

Time Estimate

30-60 minutes to see productivity improvements

Installation Steps

  1. 1.Install product management skill
  2. 2.Start with user story generation for known feature
  3. 3.Progress to competitive analysis: research 2-3 competitors
  4. 4.Use for roadmap prioritization: apply RICE/ICE scoring
  5. 5.Draft stakeholder communications and refine based on feedback
  6. 6.Build template library for recurring PM tasks
  7. 7.Share effective prompts with product team

Common Pitfalls

  • Not validating competitive research—verify facts before sharing
  • Accepting user stories without involving engineering team
  • Over-relying on frameworks without qualitative judgment
  • Not customizing outputs to company culture and communication style
  • Skipping stakeholder validation of generated requirements

Best Practices

✓ Do

  • +Validate research and competitive analysis with real data
  • +Collaborate with engineering when generating technical requirements
  • +Customize frameworks and templates to your company context
  • +Use skill for first drafts, refine with stakeholder input
  • +Document successful prompt patterns for PM tasks
  • +Combine AI efficiency with human judgment and intuition

✗ Don't

  • Don't publish competitive analysis without fact-checking
  • Don't finalize user stories without engineering review
  • Don't make prioritization decisions solely on AI scoring
  • Don't skip customer validation of generated requirements
  • Don't ignore company-specific context and culture

💡 Pro Tips

  • Provide context: company goals, constraints, customer feedback
  • Ask for alternatives: 'Show 3 ways to prioritize this roadmap'
  • Request stakeholder-specific formatting: 'Executive summary vs. engineering spec'
  • Use skill for 70% generation + 30% customization to company needs

When to Use This

✓ Use When

Use for user story writing, competitive research, roadmap prioritization, stakeholder communication, and PRD drafting. Best for reducing repetitive documentation and research work.

✗ Avoid When

Avoid for strategic product vision (requires deep customer empathy), pricing decisions (needs market and financial expertise), or when face-to-face customer discovery is more valuable than speed.

Learning Path

  1. 1Basic: user stories, feature specs, status updates
  2. 2Intermediate: competitive analysis, prioritization frameworks, PRDs
  3. 3Advanced: product strategy, go-to-market planning, OKR setting
  4. 4Expert: product vision, market positioning, business model innovation

Discussion

Product Hunt–style comments (not star reviews)
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general reviews

Ratings

4.655 reviews
  • Chen Johnson· Dec 24, 2024

    I recommend debug for anyone iterating fast on agent tooling; clear intent and a small, reviewable surface area.

  • Olivia Reddy· Dec 20, 2024

    debug is among the better-maintained entries we tried; worth keeping pinned for repeat workflows.

  • Liam Johnson· Dec 16, 2024

    Solid pick for teams standardizing on skills: debug is focused, and the summary matches what you get after install.

  • Shikha Mishra· Dec 12, 2024

    debug reduced setup friction for our internal harness; good balance of opinion and flexibility.

  • Chen Brown· Dec 12, 2024

    debug has been reliable in day-to-day use. Documentation quality is above average for community skills.

  • Fatima Gupta· Dec 4, 2024

    Keeps context tight: debug is the kind of skill you can hand to a new teammate without a long onboarding doc.

  • Sakshi Patil· Nov 27, 2024

    debug is among the better-maintained entries we tried; worth keeping pinned for repeat workflows.

  • Chen Mehta· Nov 27, 2024

    Keeps context tight: debug is the kind of skill you can hand to a new teammate without a long onboarding doc.

  • Chen Malhotra· Nov 15, 2024

    debug reduced setup friction for our internal harness; good balance of opinion and flexibility.

  • Liam Garcia· Nov 7, 2024

    We added debug from the explainx registry; install was straightforward and the SKILL.md answered most questions upfront.

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