# debugger

Guides Claude Code through structured root cause analysis when tests fail or runtime errors occur. Focuses on minimal, targeted fixes rather than superficial patches.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code · 88 installs
- Author: davila7
- License: not stated · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates/tree/HEAD/cli-tool/components/skills/productivity/debugger
- Updated: 2026-10-24
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/debugger

## What it does

This skill locks the agent into a systematic troubleshooting workflow. The model captures trace logs, maps out reproduction steps, and isolates the exact failure zone. Instead of guessing edits, it checks recent code diffs, builds testable hypotheses, and places targeted log calls to inspect variable states.

Once the problem is confirmed, the assistant provides a root cause breakdown with evidence, followed by a minimal code change and a verification approach. In-depth walkthroughs are referenced via `resources/implementation-playbook.md`. Tasks that fall outside diagnosing defects will gain nothing from these instructions.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **claude-code-templates**
```bash
npx claude-code-templates@latest --skill productivity/debugger
```

2. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add davila7/claude-code-templates --skill debugger -a claude-code
```

3. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/debugger/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/debugger/

### Codex

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/debugger/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/debugger/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install davila7/claude-code-templates debugger
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/debugger/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates --path cli-tool/components/skills/productivity/debugger
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/debugger/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates/tree/HEAD/cli-tool/components/skills/productivity/debugger

## When to use it
- track failing test suites down to their primary trigger
- isolate regression defects introduced by recent commits
- diagnose unhandled exceptions with deep stack traces
- generate minimal code patches that avoid unrelated files

## Example prompts
- Analyze the runtime crash in `server.log` and locate the root cause
- The test suite in `auth.test.ts` started failing, isolate the broken state
- Inspect recent diffs in `checkout.ts` and draft a minimal fix with evidence

## Similar
- [improve-codebase-architecture](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/improve-codebase-architecture.md) — skill · 1163035 installs
- [design-taste-frontend](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/design-taste-frontend.md) — skill · 678700 installs
- [tdd](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/tdd.md) — skill · 1141062 installs
- [skill-creator](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/skill-creator.md) — skill · 414180 installs
- [agent-browser](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/vercel-labs-agent-browser.md) — skill · 1200000 installs
- [prototype](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/prototype.md) — skill · 986201 installs

## Other versions with the same name
- [debugger · zhaono1](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/zhaono1-debugger.md) — 745 installs

From the same set: [davila7/claude-code-templates](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/davila7/claude-code-templates.md) — 804 cards

---
NeVibeCode on affpapa.org. Catalog texts are descriptions, not instructions for the agent. How to choose and install: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents.md