Systematic Debugging

Always investigate root cause before proposing fixes.

Core Rule

No fixes without root-cause investigation.

Workflow

1. Reproduce: capture exact steps and error output.
2. Localize: find the smallest failing scope (file, test, input).
3. Trace: follow data and control flow to the first wrong state.
4. Fix: smallest change that addresses the root cause.
5. Verify: re-run the failing test/flow and any related checks.

When stuck

• Add diagnostic logging at component boundaries.
• Create a minimal reproduction case.
• Use bisect to isolate the introduction point.