# Systematic Debugging

> Diagnose failures from runtime evidence before editing code.

- Skill: `amplifthq/systematic-debugging` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add amplifthq/systematic-debugging`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/amplifthq/systematic-debugging/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: amplifthq (https://skillmd.com/u/amplifthq)
- Updated: 2026-08-19
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/amplifthq/systematic-debugging

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# Systematic debugging

1. Reproduce the exact symptom with the smallest safe command.
2. Capture the complete error, inputs, environment, and boundary where expected behavior diverges.
3. Form one falsifiable hypothesis at a time and test it with focused instrumentation or an existing diagnostic.
4. Follow values backward to the first incorrect state; do not patch the last visible exception unless it is the cause.
5. Add or identify a regression check that fails for the original bug.
6. Make the smallest causal fix, rerun the regression check, then run proportionate surrounding checks.