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name: debugging description: Systematic approach to debugging Python code - use when user encounters errors or unexpected behavior license: MIT allowed-tools:

• bash
• read_file
• grep metadata: difficulty: intermediate language: python

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Debugging Skill

[TEST-PLUGIN-SKILL: debugging]

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• User reports an error or exception
• Code produces unexpected output
• Tests are failing
• Performance issues need investigation

Systematic Debugging Process

1. Reproduce the Issue

   • Get exact error message
   • Identify minimal reproduction steps

2. Gather Information

   • Check stack trace
   • Review recent changes
   • Check logs

3. Form Hypothesis

   • What could cause this behavior?
   • What assumptions might be wrong?

4. Test Hypothesis

   • Add logging/print statements
   • Use debugger breakpoints
   • Write minimal test case

5. Fix and Verify

   • Make minimal change
   • Run tests
   • Confirm fix doesn't break other things