phase-gated-debugging
Use when debugging any bug. Enforces a 5-phase protocol where code edits are blocked until root cause is confirmed. Prevents premature fix attempts.
Profile →npx skills add sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills --skill phase-gated-debugging --agent claude-code
Same command for any agent — swap --agent for codex, cursor, copilot.
Weekly change comes from our own snapshots, not the repository page — it measures attention, not adoption.
# Phase-Gated Debugging ## Overview AI coding agents see an error and immediately edit code. They guess at fixes, get it wrong, and spiral. This skill enforces a strict 5-phase protocol where you CANNOT edit source code until the root cause is identified and confirmed. Based on [claude-debug](https://github.com/krabat-l/claude-debug) (full plugin with PreToolUse hook enforcement). ## When to Use Use this skill when: - a bug keeps getting "fixed" without resolving the underlying issue - you need to slow an agent down and force disciplined debugging before code edits - the failure is intermittent, a regression, performance-related, or otherwise hard to isolate - you want an explicit user confirmation checkpoint before any fix is applied ## The Protocol ### Phase 1: REPRODUCE Run the failing command/test. Capture the exact error. Run 2-3 times for consistency. - Do NOT read source code - Do NOT hypothesize - Do NOT edit any files ### Phase 2: ISOLATE Read code. Add diagnostic logging marked `// DEBUG`. Re-run with diagnostics. Binary search to narrow down. - Only `// DEBUG` marked logging is allowed - Do NOT fix the bug even if you see it ### Phase 3: ROOT CAUSE Analyze WHY at the iso
- Overview
- When to Use
- The Protocol
- Phase 1: REPRODUCE
- Phase 2: ISOLATE
- Phase 3: ROOT CAUSE
- Phase 4: FIX
- Phase 5: VERIFY
- Bug-Type Strategies
- Key Rules
- Limitations
What does the phase-gated-debugging skill do?
Use when debugging any bug. Enforces a 5-phase protocol where code edits are blocked until root cause is confirmed. Prevents premature fix attempts.
How do I install it?
Run `npx skills add sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills --skill phase-gated-debugging --agent claude-code` — it drops the skill into your project so the agent can pick it up. Swap the --agent value for codex, cursor or copilot if you use one of those.
Where does this skill come from?
From sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills, a repository with 44,414 stars. We read it straight from the repository tree rather than a submitted listing, so what you see here is what is actually published.
Is a popular skill a good skill?
Not necessarily. Stars measure attention, not adoption — a repository can trend for a week and be abandoned. That is why we show the weekly change from our own snapshots next to the total, instead of a single flattering number.