# Debug Ops

> Operational guidance for Cursor's /debug command. Activates during root-cause-first troubleshooting and hypothesis-driven debugging.

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

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# /debug — Hypothesis-Driven Debugging

Guidance for structured debugging using Cursor's debug workflow.

## When to use

- Complex failures with unclear root causes
- Intermittent bugs that resist simple reproduction
- Performance regressions needing systematic investigation
- Cross-system issues requiring trace following

## How it works

1. State the symptom clearly (what's wrong, expected vs actual)
2. Form a hypothesis before investigating
3. Gather evidence (logs, metrics, traces) to confirm or refute
4. Narrow scope iteratively — never patch before understanding
5. Apply minimal fix and verify

## Best practices

- Always form a hypothesis before running commands
- Prefer read-only investigation until root cause is confirmed
- Document the reasoning chain for future reference
- Fix the root cause, not the symptom