Debug
Debug a reported issue using a structured reproduction-then-fix approach.
Phase 1: Reproduction & Root Cause Analysis
- Investigate — Analyze the bug report for key symptoms and error messages
- Trace — Search the codebase for error occurrence patterns, trace from symptom to source
- Root cause — Identify the root cause through data flow analysis and edge case checking
- Reproduce — Reproduce the exact error with the smallest useful check (a command, dry run, manual flow, or automated test)
- Document — Clearly document the root cause and reproduction steps
Phase 2: Fix Implementation
- Plan — Analyze the optimal fix approach based on root cause, check for similar fixes in the codebase
- Implement — Make the minimal, targeted fix that addresses the root cause
- Verify — Repeat the reproduction to confirm the fix and run relevant existing checks. Follow
verify-and-ship for proportionate scope; add a regression test only when the concrete failure warrants durable coverage
Principles
- Minimal changes — Fix the bug, nothing more
- Targeted — Only touch affected code paths
- Verified — Confirm the reproduction succeeds after the fix and preserve relevant existing safeguards; a new test file is not mandatory
- No unrelated improvements — Stay focused on the specific bug