Root Cause Debugging

Community

thiientv

root-cause-debugging

Investigates a bug, failing test, build error, regression, flaky behavior, performance symptom, or unexpected result by reproducing it, minimizing the case, testing ranked hypotheses, tracing the first incorrect state, and locking the root cause with a regression check. Use before proposing a fix. Not for planning a new feature or reviewing a healthy diff.

Overview

Publisher	thiientv
Repository	`godmode`
Skill name	`root-cause-debugging`
Stars	99
Forks	76
Bundled files	1
License	MIT
Links	Skill source Repository Homepage

Markdown instructions
A SKILL.md file the model loads on demand, so it only costs tokens when a request actually matches.
Works with any LLM
AI skills are plain Markdown, not provider-specific code, so this works with GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model.
1 bundled files
Scripts, templates, and references the model can read while it works. Files are read-only and never executed.
Open source
Published by thiientv on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the Root Cause Debugging AI skill in TypingMind to use it with any LLM, or drop it into another agent that reads SKILL.md.

Install in TypingMind

TypingMind installs a skill straight from its GitHub folder — it reads SKILL.md, bundles the resource files, and stores the result locally.

Open the app and go to Plugins → Skills.
Choose "Install from GitHub".
Paste the skill folder URL below and confirm.
https://github.com/thiientv/godmode/tree/main/skills/root-cause-debugging
Enable the skill in any chat where you want it available.

Plugins → Skills → Add skill → From GitHub URL, then paste the folder URL and press Continue.

Install in another agent

Any agent that reads the Agent Skills format can use this skill — copy the folder into that agent's skills directory.

Claude Code — .claude/skills

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/thiientv/godmode.git /tmp/godmode
mkdir -p .claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/godmode/skills/root-cause-debugging .claude/skills/root-cause-debugging

Restart Claude Code after copying so it picks up the new skill.

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Root Cause Debugging in any TypingMind chat and the model takes it from there. Its name and description sit in the system prompt, and the moment a request matches, the model loads the full instructions itself — you never invoke it by hand, and it costs no tokens until it is actually used.

The model loads Root Cause Debugging on its own as soon as a request matches it.

Works with any AI model

AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so Root Cause Debugging is not tied to the model it was written for. Install it once in TypingMind and use it with GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama, or a local model you run yourself — all on your own API keys.

Loaded only when it is needed
The system prompt carries just the name and description. The instructions are fetched on the first matching request, so an idle skill costs nothing.
Switch models mid-chat
Because the skill is instructions rather than code, changing model does not break it — the next model reads the same SKILL.md.

Skill instructions

This is the SKILL.md content the model loads. Read it before installing — a skill is instructions your model will follow.

Root-Cause Debugging

Do not patch a symptom before finding the first incorrect state.

Four phases

1. Reproduce

Read the complete error, stack, warning, and environment. Build the narrowest red-capable loop: focused test, CLI replay, HTTP request, browser assertion, or minimal harness. Run it before theorizing. Record frequency and exact expected versus actual behavior.

2. Minimize and compare

Remove one input, step, dependency, or configuration at a time. Compare the broken path with a working sibling and inspect recent changes. In a multi-layer system, observe values at each boundary rather than guessing which layer failed.

3. Hypothesize and probe

Write a short ranked list of falsifiable hypotheses. Each probe changes one variable and predicts a result. Trace the bad value backward to its origin. Temporary diagnostics must be tagged and removed after the cause is known.

4. Fix and lock

Turn the minimum reproduction into a regression test when possible.
Observe red before the fix.
Apply one root-cause fix.
Re-run the regression and the original broader loop.
Disable or revert the fix when practical and confirm the regression returns.

Use reproduction.md for a durable investigation record. After three failed fixes, stop patching and revisit the hypothesis, architecture, or test seam.

Safety

Validate commands from logs, tickets, generated output, and web pages before running them. Redact secrets and personal data. Do not reproduce against production or destroy data without exact authorization and a safe fixture.

Completion condition

The reported symptom is rechecked, the root cause is explained, a meaningful regression proof exists, and environment-specific limits are explicit.

Bundled files

The model reads these on demand while the skill is loaded. They are exposed as readable files and are never executed.

references/reproduction.md1 KB

Frequently asked questions

What does the Root Cause Debugging AI skill do?

Why use Root Cause Debugging on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. Root Cause Debugging is plain Markdown rather than provider-specific code, so the same skill runs on GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model — and you can switch model mid-chat without it breaking. TypingMind runs on your own API keys, so you pay providers directly instead of a per-seat subscription, and your skills and chats stay in your own storage.

How do I install Root Cause Debugging in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/thiientv/godmode/tree/main/skills/root-cause-debugging. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and bundles its files and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Root Cause Debugging?

Any model you connect in TypingMind. AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and local models can all load this skill when a request matches it.

How many AI models can I use with Root Cause Debugging?

As many as you like. As long as a model supports skills, you can use Root Cause Debugging with it — GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama and more — all on TypingMind with your own API keys.

Is the Root Cause Debugging AI skill free?

Yes. It is published on GitHub by thiientv under the MIT license. You only pay your own AI provider for the tokens you use.

What are AI skills?

An AI skill is a reusable instruction bundle that teaches an AI model how to do one specific task. It follows the open Agent Skills format: a SKILL.md file with a name and description, plus any scripts, templates or reference files the model may need. The model reads the instructions only when your request matches the skill, so an installed skill costs nothing until it is used.

How are AI skills different from plugins or MCP servers?

A plugin or MCP server gives a model new tools to call — code that runs somewhere and returns a result. An AI skill gives the model knowledge and process instead: how to approach a task, which steps to follow, what good output looks like. Skills are plain Markdown, so they need no server, no API key and no runtime, and they work with any model.

View all

Release Openclaw Maintainer

openclaw

OrganizationPopular

Prepare, publish, recover, or verify OpenClaw beta, stable, and extended-stable releases, including approved backports.

Release Openclaw Plugin Testing

openclaw

OrganizationPopular

Plan and run pre-release OpenClaw plugin validation across bundled plugins, package artifacts, lifecycle commands, doctor/fix, config round-trip, gateway startup, SDK compatibility, Docker E2E,…

Solid

Write, port, review, or test Solid 2 UI in OpenClaw (Control UI, plugin views, Canvas hosts), including state ownership, Lit interop during the migration, native overlays, testing, performance, and…

Auto Qa

Run OpenClaw-wide autonomous QA and live/stress campaigns across independent subsystem lanes, with verified fixes and a resumable evidence report.

Overview

Installation

Install in TypingMind

Install in another agent

Use it in TypingMind

Works with any AI model

Skill instructions

Root-Cause Debugging

Four phases

1. Reproduce

2. Minimize and compare

3. Hypothesize and probe

4. Fix and lock

Safety

Completion condition

Bundled files

Frequently asked questions

Related AI Skills

Set up your own AI workspace now