---
name: Investigate First
slug: investigate-first
category: Quality
description: Investigate First diagnoses ambiguous failures before editing code. Use it when the cause is unknown, behavior is intermittent, or you need evidence-ranked hypotheses before changing product code.
github: "https://github.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/tree/main/skills/investigate-first"
language: Go
stars: 97841
forks: 5640
install: "npx degit https://github.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/tree/main/skills/investigate-first ~/.claude/skills/investigate-first"
installs_to: ~/.claude/skills/investigate-first
source_path: skills/investigate-first/SKILL.md
collection_size: 20
category_size: 1354
collection_url: "https://dirskills.com/collections/JuliusBrussee/caveman"
added: 2026-08-13T07:35:52.349Z
last_synced: 2026-08-13T07:35:52.349Z
canonical_url: "https://dirskills.com/skills/investigate-first"
---

# Investigate First

Investigate First diagnoses ambiguous failures before editing code. Use it when the cause is unknown, behavior is intermittent, or you need evidence-ranked hypotheses before changing product code.

**Install:**

```bash
npx degit https://github.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/tree/main/skills/investigate-first ~/.claude/skills/investigate-first
```

## README

# Investigate first

Gather evidence before changing product code.

- Separate observed symptom from inferred cause.
- Trace inputs, state transitions, ownership boundaries, and failure output.
- Rank hypotheses by evidence and cheap falsification value.
- Do not edit until one credible mechanism explains evidence.
- Stop exploration when evidence is sufficient to name cause or exact blocker.

Report cause and proof. Make no fix unless task authorizes implementation.