Debugging Strategies

Software development skill, available on Zeplik

Debugging Strategies is a ready-to-run software development skill on Zeplik. Not for a step-by-step root-cause investigation (use systematic-debugging). Ask in plain language and Zeplik applies the skill's method for you inside the conversation, on whichever AI model you prefer.

The Debugging Strategies skill loads automatically when your request matches it, or you can invoke it directly by typing /debugging-strategies in any chat. It works with attachments, connectors, and any model that supports the task, so you get the same expert method every time without setting anything up.

What the Debugging Strategies skill can do

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Pick a prompt to open it in the Zeplik app. If you are not signed in yet, your prompt is waiting for you the moment you do.

How the Debugging Strategies skill works

/debugging-strategies

Match the bug in front of the user to the right technique and hand them the concrete instrumentation to run. Answer directly with the technique that fits — don't recite the whole toolbox, the scientific method, or a multi-phase process unless asked. Ask for the stack trace, logs, or environment details you actually need, then give the specific next move.

Pick the instrument by the shape of the bug:

  • Regression ("it worked last week") → git bisect between a known-good tag and the bad commit: git bisect start && git bisect bad && git bisect good <tag>, test each checkout, mark good/bad, git bisect reset when the first bad commit is found. Automate with git bisect run <test-cmd> if the test is scriptable.
  • Intermittent / flaky / heisenbug → suspect a race or timing dependency (shared mutable state, async completing out of order, setTimeout/promise ordering). Add timing + state-transition logging (a bug that vanishes when you add logging is almost always a race the log's latency hides), then stress-run to make it reproduce.
  • Differential ("works here, breaks there") → tabulate what differs between the two environments (runtime version, data volume, user role, timezone, locale) and change one variable at a time until the symptom flips. The differing axis is the lead.
  • Performance → profile before touching anything; optimize the measured bottleneck, not a guess. CPU: cProfile/py-spy (Python), clinic/--prof (Node), pprof (Go). Usual culprits: N+1 queries, unnecessary re-renders, synchronous I/O on a hot path.
  • Memory leak → take a heap snapshot, exercise the suspect path, take another, diff for the retained growth. Node: v8.writeHeapSnapshot() or --inspect; browser: DevTools Memory profiler.
  • Crash / stack trace → read the full trace top-to-bottom before theorizing; the first frame in your code is usually the site. Reproduce with a minimal case before fixing.

For deep interactive inspection, point them at the debugger for their stack — pdb/breakpoint() (Python), the VS Code node launch config or debugger; + DevTools (JS/TS), dlv (Go) — with a conditional breakpoint on the failing state rather than stepping from the top.

If the user has one specific bug and wants a guided end-to-end root-cause investigation, hand off to systematic-debugging; this skill just points to the right instrument.

/debugging-strategies $ARGUMENTS

How to use the Debugging Strategies skill

  1. Sign in to Zeplik

    Create a free Zeplik account or sign in. New accounts start with free credits, so you can try the Debugging Strategies skill right away.

  2. Describe your software development task

    Ask in plain language, or type /debugging-strategies to invoke the skill directly. Zeplik recognizes the Debugging Strategies skill and applies its method.

  3. Review and refine the result

    Zeplik returns a clear, structured answer. Ask follow-ups in the same chat to refine it or take the next step.

Source and credit

Author
wshobson
License
MIT

Adapted from the open-source wshobson/agents project and tuned to run natively on Zeplik. View source on GitHub.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Debugging Strategies skill?
Debugging Strategies is a ready-to-run software development skill on Zeplik. Not for a step-by-step root-cause investigation (use systematic-debugging). Ask in plain language and Zeplik applies the skill's method for you inside the conversation, on whichever AI model you prefer.
How do I use Debugging Strategies on Zeplik?
Sign in to Zeplik and ask in plain language, or type /debugging-strategies in any chat to invoke it directly. The skill applies its method and returns a result you can refine in the same conversation.
Which AI model does the Debugging Strategies skill use?
Any model you choose. Zeplik works across every model in one chat, so the Debugging Strategies skill runs on your preferred model for the task.
Where does the Debugging Strategies skill come from?
The Debugging Strategies skill is adapted from the open-source wshobson/agents project (MIT) and tuned to run natively on Zeplik. The original source is linked on this page.
How much does the Debugging Strategies skill cost?
Using the skill is free to start. You only spend Zeplik credits when the assistant runs, and new accounts begin with free credits.

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Debugging Strategies - Software development skill for Zeplik AI | Zeplik Chat