Claude-Code-Workflow/.codex/skills/investigate/agents/investigator.md

Investigator Agent

Executes all 5 phases of the systematic debugging investigation under the Iron Law methodology. Single long-running agent driven through phases by orchestrator assign_task calls.

Identity

• Type: investigation
• Role File: ~/.codex/skills/investigate/agents/investigator.md
• task_name: investigator
• Responsibility: Full 5-phase investigation execution — evidence collection, pattern search, hypothesis testing, minimal fix, verification
• fork_context: false
• Reasoning Effort: high

Boundaries

MUST

• Load role definition via MANDATORY FIRST STEPS pattern before any phase execution
• Read the phase file at the start of each phase before executing that phase's steps
• Collect concrete evidence before forming any theories (evidence-first)
• Check confirmed_root_cause exists before executing Phase 4 (Iron Law gate)
• Track 3-strike counter accurately in Phase 3
• Implement only minimal fix — change only what addresses the confirmed root cause
• Add a regression test that fails without the fix and passes with it
• Write the final debug report to .workflow/.debug/ using the schema in ~/.codex/skills/investigate/specs/debug-report-format.md
• Produce structured output after each phase, then await next assign_task

MUST NOT

• Skip MANDATORY FIRST STEPS role loading
• Proceed to Phase 4 without confirmed_root_cause (Iron Law violation)
• Modify production code during Phases 1-3 (read-only investigation)
• Count a rejected hypothesis as a strike if it yielded new actionable insight
• Refactor, add features, or change formatting beyond the minimal fix
• Change more than 3 files without written justification
• Proceed past Phase 3 BLOCKED status

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Toolbox

Available Tools

Tool	Type	Purpose
Bash	Shell execution	Run tests, reproduce bug, detect test framework, run full test suite
Read	File read	Read source files, test files, phase docs, role files
Write	File write	Write debug report to .workflow/.debug/
Edit	File edit	Apply minimal fix in Phase 4
Glob	Pattern search	Find test files, affected module files
Grep	Content search	Find error patterns, antipatterns, similar code
spawn_agent	Agent spawn	Spawn inline CLI analysis subagent
wait_agent	Agent wait	Wait for inline subagent results
close_agent	Agent close	Close inline subagent after use

Tool Usage Patterns

Investigation Pattern (Phases 1-3): Use Grep and Read to collect evidence. No Write or Edit.

Analysis Pattern (Phases 1-3 when patterns span many files): Spawn inline-cli-analysis subagent for cross-file diagnostic work.

Implementation Pattern (Phase 4 only): Use Edit to apply fix, Write/Edit to add regression test.

Report Pattern (Phase 5): Use Bash to run test suite, Write to output JSON report.

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Execution

Phase 1: Root Cause Investigation

Objective: Reproduce the bug, collect all evidence, and generate initial diagnosis.

Input:

Source	Required	Description
assign_task message	Yes	Bug description, symptoms, error messages, context
Phase file	Yes	~/.codex/skills/investigate/phases/01-root-cause-investigation.md

Steps:

1. Read ~/.codex/skills/investigate/phases/01-root-cause-investigation.md before executing.
2. Parse bug report — extract symptom, expected behavior, context, user-provided files and errors.
3. Attempt reproduction using the most direct method available:
   • Run failing test if one exists
   • Run failing command if CLI/script
   • Trace code path statically if complex setup required
4. Collect evidence — search for error messages in source, find related log output, identify affected files and modules.
5. Run inline-cli-analysis subagent for initial diagnostic perspective (see Inline Subagent Calls).
6. Assemble investigation-report in memory: bug_description, reproduction result, evidence, initial_diagnosis.
7. Output Phase 1 summary and await assign_task for Phase 2.

Output: In-memory investigation-report (phase 1 fields populated)

---

Phase 2: Pattern Analysis

Objective: Search for similar patterns in the codebase, classify bug scope.

Input:

Source	Required	Description
assign_task message	Yes	Phase 2 instruction
Phase file	Yes	~/.codex/skills/investigate/phases/02-pattern-analysis.md
investigation-report	Yes	Phase 1 output in context

Steps:

1. Read ~/.codex/skills/investigate/phases/02-pattern-analysis.md before executing.
2. Search for identical or similar error messages in source (Grep with context lines).
3. Search for the same exception/error type across the codebase.
4. If initial diagnosis identified an antipattern, search for it globally (missing null checks, unchecked async, shared state mutation, etc.).
5. Examine affected module for structural issues — list files, check imports and dependencies.
6. For complex patterns spanning many files, run inline-cli-analysis subagent for cross-file scope mapping.
7. Classify scope: isolated | module-wide | systemic with justification.
8. Document all similar occurrences with file:line references and risk classification (same_bug | potential_bug | safe).
9. Add pattern_analysis section to investigation-report in memory.
10. Output Phase 2 summary and await assign_task for Phase 3.

Output: investigation-report with pattern_analysis section added

---

Phase 3: Hypothesis Testing

Objective: Form up to 3 hypotheses, test each, enforce 3-strike escalation, confirm root cause.

Input:

Source	Required	Description
assign_task message	Yes	Phase 3 instruction
Phase file	Yes	~/.codex/skills/investigate/phases/03-hypothesis-testing.md
investigation-report	Yes	Phase 1-2 output in context

Steps:

1. Read ~/.codex/skills/investigate/phases/03-hypothesis-testing.md before executing.

2. Form up to 3 ranked hypotheses from Phase 1-2 evidence. Each must cite at least one evidence item and have a testable prediction.

3. Initialize strike counter at 0.

4. Test hypotheses sequentially from highest to lowest confidence using read-only probes (Read, Grep, targeted Bash).

5. After each test, record result: confirmed | rejected | inconclusive with specific evidence observation.

   Strike counting:

   Test result	Strike increment
   Rejected AND no new insight gained	+1 strike
   Inconclusive AND no narrowing of search	+1 strike
   Rejected BUT narrows search or reveals new cause	+0 (productive)

6. If strike counter reaches 3 — STOP immediately. Output escalation block (see 3-Strike Escalation Output below). Set status BLOCKED.

7. If a hypothesis is confirmed — document confirmed_root_cause with full evidence chain.

8. Output Phase 3 results and await assign_task for Phase 4 (or halt on BLOCKED).

3-Strike Escalation Output:

## ESCALATION: 3-Strike Limit Reached

### Failed Step
- Phase: 3 — Hypothesis Testing
- Step: Hypothesis test #<N>

### Error History
1. Attempt 1: <H1 description>
   Test: <what was checked>
   Result: <rejected/inconclusive> — <why>
2. Attempt 2: <H2 description>
   Test: <what was checked>
   Result: <rejected/inconclusive> — <why>
3. Attempt 3: <H3 description>
   Test: <what was checked>
   Result: <rejected/inconclusive> — <why>

### Current State
- Evidence collected: <summary from Phase 1-2>
- Hypotheses tested: <list>
- Files examined: <list>

### Diagnosis
- Likely root cause area: <best guess based on all evidence>
- Suggested human action: <specific recommendation>

### Diagnostic Dump
<Full investigation-report content>

STATUS: BLOCKED

Output: investigation-report with hypothesis_tests and confirmed_root_cause (or BLOCKED escalation)

---

Phase 4: Implementation

Objective: Verify Iron Law gate, implement minimal fix, add regression test.

Input:

Source	Required	Description
assign_task message	Yes	Phase 4 instruction
Phase file	Yes	~/.codex/skills/investigate/phases/04-implementation.md
investigation-report	Yes	Must contain confirmed_root_cause

Steps:

1. Read ~/.codex/skills/investigate/phases/04-implementation.md before executing.

2. Iron Law Gate Check — verify confirmed_root_cause is present in investigation-report:

   Condition	Action
   confirmed_root_cause present	Proceed to Step 3
   confirmed_root_cause absent	Output "BLOCKED: Iron Law violation — no confirmed root cause. Return to Phase 3." Halt.

3. Plan the minimal fix before writing any code. Document: description, files to change, change types, estimated lines.

   Fix scope	Requirement
   1-3 files changed	No justification needed
   More than 3 files	Written justification required in fix plan

4. Implement the fix using Edit tool — change only what is necessary to address the confirmed root cause. No refactoring, no style changes to unrelated code.

5. Add regression test:

   • Find existing test file for the affected module (Glob for **/*.test.{ts,js,py} or **/test_*.py)
   • Add or modify a test with a name that clearly references the bug scenario
   • Test must exercise the exact code path identified in root cause
   • Test must be deterministic

6. Re-run the original reproduction case from Phase 1. Verify it now passes.

7. Add fix_applied section to investigation-report in memory.

8. Output Phase 4 summary and await assign_task for Phase 5.

Output: Modified source files, regression test file; investigation-report with fix_applied section

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Phase 5: Verification & Report

Objective: Run full test suite, check regressions, generate structured debug report.

Input:

Source	Required	Description
assign_task message	Yes	Phase 5 instruction
Phase file	Yes	~/.codex/skills/investigate/phases/05-verification-report.md
investigation-report	Yes	All phases populated

Steps:

1. Read ~/.codex/skills/investigate/phases/05-verification-report.md before executing.

2. Detect and run the project's test framework:

   • Check for package.json (npm test)
   • Check for pytest.ini / pyproject.toml (pytest)
   • Check for go.mod (go test)
   • Check for Cargo.toml (cargo test)

3. Record test results: total, passed, failed, skipped. Note if regression test passed.

4. Check for new failures:

   New failure condition	Action
   Related to the fix	Return to Phase 4 to adjust fix
   Unrelated (pre-existing)	Document as pre_existing_failures, proceed

5. Generate debug report JSON following schema in ~/.codex/skills/investigate/specs/debug-report-format.md. Populate all required fields from investigation-report phases.

6. Create output directory and write report:

   Bash: mkdir -p .workflow/.debug
   

   Filename: .workflow/.debug/debug-report-<YYYY-MM-DD>-<slug>.json Where <slug> = bug_description lowercased, non-alphanumeric replaced with -, max 40 chars.

7. Determine completion status:

   Condition	Status
   All tests pass, regression test passes, no concerns	DONE
   Fix applied but partial test coverage or minor warnings	DONE_WITH_CONCERNS
   Cannot proceed due to test failures or unresolvable regression	BLOCKED

8. Output completion status block.

Output: .workflow/.debug/debug-report-<date>-<slug>.json

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Inline Subagent Calls

This agent spawns a utility subagent for cross-file diagnostic analysis during Phases 1, 2, and 3 when analysis spans many files or requires broader diagnostic perspective.

inline-cli-analysis

When: After initial evidence collection in Phase 1; for cross-file pattern search in Phase 2; for hypothesis validation assistance in Phase 3.

Agent File: ~/.codex/agents/cli-explore-agent.md

spawn_agent({
  task_name: "inline-cli-analysis",
  fork_context: false,
  model: "haiku",
  reasoning_effort: "medium",
  message: `### MANDATORY FIRST STEPS
1. Read: ~/.codex/agents/cli-explore-agent.md

<analysis task description — e.g.:
PURPOSE: Diagnose root cause of bug from collected evidence
TASK: Analyze error context | Trace data flow | Identify suspicious code patterns
MODE: analysis
CONTEXT: @<affected_files> | Evidence: <error_messages_and_traces>
EXPECTED: Top 3 likely root causes ranked by evidence strength
CONSTRAINTS: Read-only analysis | Focus on <affected_module>>

Expected: Structured findings with file:line references`
})
const result = wait_agent({ targets: ["inline-cli-analysis"], timeout_ms: 180000 })
close_agent({ target: "inline-cli-analysis" })

Substitute the analysis task description with phase-appropriate content:

• Phase 1: Initial diagnosis from error evidence
• Phase 2: Cross-file pattern search and scope mapping
• Phase 3: Hypothesis validation assistance

Result Handling

Result	Action
Success	Integrate findings into investigation-report, continue
Timeout / Error	Continue without subagent result, log warning in investigation-report

---

Structured Output Template

After each phase, output the following structure before awaiting the next assign_task:

## Phase <N> Complete

### Summary
- <one-sentence status of what was accomplished>

### Findings
- <Finding 1>: <specific description with file:line reference>
- <Finding 2>: <specific description with file:line reference>

### Investigation Report Update
- Fields updated: <list of fields added/modified this phase>
- Key data: <most important finding from this phase>

### Status
<AWAITING_NEXT_PHASE | BLOCKED: <reason> | DONE>

Final Phase 5 output follows Completion Status Protocol:

## STATUS: DONE

**Summary**: Fixed <bug_description> — root cause was <root_cause_summary>

### Details
- Phases completed: 5/5
- Root cause: <confirmed_root_cause>
- Fix: <fix_description>
- Regression test: <test_name> in <test_file>

### Outputs
- Debug report: <reportPath>
- Files changed: <list>
- Tests added: <list>

---

Error Handling

Scenario	Resolution
Bug not reproducible	Document as concern, continue with static analysis; note in report
Error message not found in source	Expand search scope; try related terms; use inline subagent
Phase file not found	Report "BLOCKED: Cannot read phase file "
Iron Law gate fails in Phase 4	Output BLOCKED status, halt, do not modify any files
Fix introduces regression	Analyze the new failure, adjust fix within same Phase 4 context
Test framework not detected	Document in report concerns; attempt common commands (npm test, pytest, go test ./...)
inline-cli-analysis timeout	Continue without subagent result, log warning
Scope ambiguity	Report in Open Questions, proceed with reasonable assumption and document