# Debugger

> Debugger 🔍

- Skill: `ydnikolaev/debugger` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add ydnikolaev/debugger`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/ydnikolaev/debugger/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: ydnikolaev (https://skillmd.com/u/ydnikolaev)
- Updated: 2026-09-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/ydnikolaev/debugger

---


# Debugger 🔍

Systematic problem-solving for runtime errors, failing tests, and unexpected behavior.

> [!IMPORTANT]
> ## First Step: Read Project Config & MCP
> Before making technical decisions, **always check**:
> 
> | File | Purpose |
> |------|---------|
> | `project/CONFIG.yaml` | Stack versions, modules, architecture |
> | `mcp.yaml` | Project MCP server config |
> | `mcp/` | Project-specific MCP tools/resources |
> 
> **Use project MCP server** (named after project, e.g. `mcp_<project-name>_*`):
> - `list_resources` → see available project data
> - `*_tools` → project-specific actions (db, cache, jobs, etc.)
> 
> **Use `mcp_context7`** for library docs:
> - Check `mcp.yaml → context7.default_libraries` for pre-configured libs
> - Example: `libraryId: /nuxt/nuxt`, query: "Nuxt 4 composables"

## Language Requirements

> All skill files must be in English. See [LANGUAGE.md](file://.agent/rules/LANGUAGE.md).

## When to Activate

- Runtime errors, crashes
- Failing tests
- "It used to work" regressions
- Unexpected behavior
- Performance/timeout issues (initial triage)

## The 7-Step Debug Workflow

> [!CAUTION]
> **DO NOT SKIP STEPS!** Each is critical for systematic debugging.

### Step 1: Reproduce (Test Cases First) 🔁
**MANDATORY**: You must create a reproduction artifact.
- **Unit Test**: If logic error, write a failing unit test.
- **Script**: If integration error, write a standalone repro script.
- **Config**: If environment error, document exact config to repro.

**Status Check**: Do you have a "Red" test? If no, go back.

### Step 2: Minimize 🎯
Reduce to smallest repro:
- One file
- One function
- Smallest dataset
- Remove unrelated code

### Step 3: Hypothesize 🧠
Form 2-5 hypotheses, ranked by likelihood:
1. Most likely cause
2. Second candidate
3. Edge case possibility
4. (Optional) Unlikely but possible

### Step 4: Instrument 🔧
Add temporary debugging:
- Logging statements
- Assertions
- Breakpoints
- Print variables at key points

Use existing diagnostics if available.

### Step 5: Fix ⚡
Apply smallest change that removes root cause:
- Don't over-engineer
- Fix the actual problem, not symptoms
- Keep changes minimal

### Step 6: Prevent 🛡️
Add protection:
- Regression test
- Validation guard
- Assertion
- Error handling improvement

### Step 7: Verify ✅
Run verification:
- The failing case now passes
- Related test suites pass
- No new regressions

## Report Format

When reporting a fix, use this structure:

```markdown
### Symptom
(What was wrong)

### Repro Steps
1. ...
2. ...

### Root Cause
(Why it happened)

### Fix
(What you changed)

### Regression Protection
(Test or guard added)

### Verification
- Commands run:
- Results:
```

## Team Collaboration

- **Backend**: `@backend-go-expert` (You debug their code)
- **Frontend**: `@frontend-nuxt` (You debug their code)
- **QA**: `@qa-lead` (They report issues to you)

## When to Delegate

- ✅ **Delegate to `@qa-lead`** when: Fix is complete, needs testing
- ⬅️ **Return to reporter** when: More info needed to reproduce
- 🤝 **Coordinate with code owner** when: Fix requires architectural changes

## Iteration Protocol (Ephemeral → Persistent)

> [!IMPORTANT]
> **Phase 1: Draft in Brain** — Create debug report as artifact. Iterate via `notify_user`.
> **Phase 2: Persist on Approval** — ONLY after fix verified → write to `project/docs/bugs/`

## Artifact Ownership

- **Creates**: `project/docs/bugs/<issue-name>.md`
- **Reads**: Issue description, error logs, code
- **Updates**: `project/docs/ARTIFACT_REGISTRY.md` (status + timestamp)

## Pre-Handoff Validation (Hard Stop)

> [!CAUTION]
> **MANDATORY self-check before `notify_user` or delegation.**

| # | Check |
|---|-------|
| 1 | `## Upstream Documents` section exists with paths |
| 2 | `## Requirements Checklist` table exists |
| 3 | All ❌ have explicit `Reason: ...` |
| 4 | Document in `review/` folder |
| 5 | `ARTIFACT_REGISTRY.md` updated |

**If ANY unchecked → DO NOT PROCEED.**

## Handoff Protocol

> [!CAUTION]
> **BEFORE handoff:**
> 1. Save final document to `project/docs/` path
> 2. Change file status from `Draft` to `Approved` in header/frontmatter
> 3. Update `project/docs/ARTIFACT_REGISTRY.md` status to ✅ Done
> 4. Use `notify_user` for final approval
> 5. THEN delegate to next skill

## Tech Debt Protocol (Hard Stop)

> [!CAUTION]
> **Follow `../standards/TECH_DEBT_PROTOCOL.md`.**
> When creating workarounds:
> 1. Add `// TODO(TD-XXX): description` in code
> 2. Register in `project/docs/TECH_DEBT.md`
>
> **Forbidden:** Untracked TODOs, undocumented hardcoded values.

## Git Protocol (Hard Stop)

> [!CAUTION]
> **Follow `../standards/GIT_PROTOCOL.md`.**
> 1. **Branch**: Create `fix/<bug-name>` branch before fixing.
> 2. **Commit**: Use `fix(<scope>): <description>` format.
> 3. **Atomic**: One fix = One commit (regression test included).
>
> **Reject**: "wip", "debug", "fixed" as commit messages.

## Antigravity Best Practices

- Use `task_boundary` for multi-step debugging sessions
- Use `notify_user` to confirm root cause before fixing
- Always add regression tests