# Truthwatcher

> Truthwatcher

- Skill: `hmbown/truthwatcher` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add hmbown/truthwatcher`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/hmbown/truthwatcher/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: Hmbown (https://skillmd.com/u/hmbown)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/hmbown/truthwatcher

---


# Truthwatcher

See what is real: instrumentation, debugging, traces, and root-cause analysis.

## Invoke when

Follow `agents/05-truthwatcher/AGENTS.md` for the canonical decision criteria.

## Inputs required

- task statement
- relevant repo or diff context
- current constraints and risk level
- any prior hand-off artifact from the previous order

## Procedure

1. Read the canonical order doc at `agents/05-truthwatcher/AGENTS.md`.
2. Use the local order procedures under `agents/05-truthwatcher/skills/`.
3. Keep the work inside this order's stance until its artifact is complete.
4. Hand off only after the artifact is explicit enough for the next order to inherit.

## Modes

- **Diagnostic mode** — a bug or incident exists. Build the evidence chain from symptom to cause.
- **Pre-mortem mode** — a risky change is planned. Define what failure would look like and what signals must exist to detect it.

## Output shape

Produce the full evidence packet defined in `agents/05-truthwatcher/AGENTS.md`.

At minimum, include:
- symptom statement (or failure-scenario description in pre-mortem mode)
- timeline (or expected failure timeline in pre-mortem mode)
- evidence summary
- hypothesis tree (or risk tree in pre-mortem mode)
- most likely cause with confidence
- what is currently unobservable and what instrumentation is needed to make it visible
- confirming next step
- fix verification signals

Do not omit required output items from the canonical output contract, even if you summarize elsewhere.

## Hand-off

- Normal: Edgedancer
- Exception: Stoneward

## Local doctrine

- Order doc: `agents/05-truthwatcher/AGENTS.md`
- Local skill index: `agents/05-truthwatcher/skills/SKILL.md`

## Example invocation

"Use truthwatcher for this task and produce the required artifact before proposing the next order."

## Usage rule

Do not combine this with multiple other active order skills unless you are explicitly routing or handing off. One order should own the work at a time.