Add phase-gated-debugging skill (#409)

* Add phase-gated-debugging skill

* Fix risk label: low -> safe (valid value per validate_skills.py)
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krabat-l
2026-03-28 23:41:28 +08:00
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---
name: phase-gated-debugging
description: "Use when debugging any bug. Enforces a 5-phase protocol where code edits are blocked until root cause is confirmed. Prevents premature fix attempts."
risk: safe
source: community
date_added: "2026-03-28"
---
# Phase-Gated Debugging
## Overview
AI coding agents see an error and immediately edit code. They guess at fixes, get it wrong, and spiral. This skill enforces a strict 5-phase protocol where you CANNOT edit source code until the root cause is identified and confirmed.
Based on [claude-debug](https://github.com/krabat-l/claude-debug) (full plugin with PreToolUse hook enforcement).
## The Protocol
### Phase 1: REPRODUCE
Run the failing command/test. Capture the exact error. Run 2-3 times for consistency.
- Do NOT read source code
- Do NOT hypothesize
- Do NOT edit any files
### Phase 2: ISOLATE
Read code. Add diagnostic logging marked `// DEBUG`. Re-run with diagnostics. Binary search to narrow down.
- Only `// DEBUG` marked logging is allowed
- Do NOT fix the bug even if you see it
### Phase 3: ROOT CAUSE
Analyze WHY at the isolated location. Use "5 Whys" technique. Remove debug logging.
State: "This is my root cause analysis: [explanation]. Do you agree, or should I investigate further?"
**WAIT for user confirmation. Do NOT proceed without it.**
### Phase 4: FIX
Remove all `// DEBUG` lines. Apply minimal change addressing confirmed root cause.
- Only edit files related to root cause
- Do NOT refactor unrelated code
### Phase 5: VERIFY
Run original failing test — must pass. Run related tests. For intermittent bugs, run 5+ times.
If verification fails: root cause was wrong, go back to Phase 2.
## Bug-Type Strategies
| Type | Technique |
|------|-----------|
| Crash/Panic | Stack trace backward — trace the bad value to its source |
| Wrong Output | Binary search — log midpoint, halve search space each iteration |
| Intermittent | Compare passing vs failing run logs — find ordering divergence |
| Regression | `git bisect` — find the offending commit |
| Performance | Timing at stage boundaries — find the bottleneck |
## Key Rules
1. NEVER edit source code in phases 1-3 (except `// DEBUG` in phase 2)
2. NEVER proceed past phase 3 without user confirmation
3. ALWAYS reproduce before investigating
4. ALWAYS verify after fixing