Root Cause Tracing

Root Cause Tracing

Overview

Bugs often manifest deep in the call stack (git init in wrong directory, file created in wrong location, database opened with wrong path). Your instinct is to fix where the error appears, but that's treating a symptom.

Core principle: Trace backward through the call chain until you find the original trigger, then fix at the source.

This skill is a specialized technique within the systematic-debugging workflow, typically applied during Phase 1 (Root Cause Investigation) when dealing with deep call stacks.

When to Use This Skill

Use root-cause-tracing when:

• Error happens deep in execution (not at entry point)
• Stack trace shows long call chain
• Unclear where invalid data originated
• Need to find which test/code triggers the problem
• Symptom appears far from actual cause

Relationship with systematic-debugging:

• systematic-debugging: The overall framework (Phases 1-4)
• root-cause-tracing: A specific technique for Phase 1 investigation
• Use root-cause-tracing WITHIN systematic-debugging Phase 1

The Iron Law

NEVER FIX JUST WHERE THE ERROR APPEARS
ALWAYS TRACE BACK TO FIND THE ORIGINAL TRIGGER