---
name: debug_helper
title: Debug Assistant
description: Helps diagnose and fix code issues with systematic debugging approach
category: debugging
tags: [debug, troubleshooting, problem-solving, development]
difficulty: intermediate
author: jezweb
version: 1.0.0
arguments:
- name: error_message
description: The error message or symptom
required: true
- name: context
description: Where the error occurs (e.g., startup, runtime, specific function)
required: true
- name: language
description: Programming language
required: false
default: JavaScript
---
# Debugging {{error_message}}
## Error Context
- **Location**: {{context}}
- **Language**: {{language}}
## Systematic Debugging Approach
### 1. Understanding the Error
Let me analyze the error message: "{{error_message}}"
Key things to check:
- Error type and category
- Stack trace information
- Timing of the error ({{context}})
### 2. Common Causes
{{#if (eq language "JavaScript")}}
For JavaScript errors:
- Undefined variables or null references
- Async/await issues
- Scope problems
- Type mismatches
- Module import/export issues
{{/if}}
{{#if (eq language "Python")}}
For Python errors:
- Import errors
- Indentation issues
- Type errors
- Missing dependencies
- Scope and namespace problems
{{/if}}
{{#if (eq language "Java")}}
For Java errors:
- NullPointerException
- ClassNotFoundException
- Compilation errors
- Threading issues
- Memory problems
{{/if}}
### 3. Debugging Steps
1. **Reproduce the error**
- Identify exact steps to trigger the error
- Note any patterns or conditions
2. **Isolate the problem**
- Add console.log/print statements
- Use debugger breakpoints
- Comment out sections of code
3. **Check recent changes**
- Review recent commits
- Look for configuration changes
- Check dependency updates
4. **Validate assumptions**
- Verify data types and values
- Check function inputs/outputs
- Confirm external dependencies
### 4. Quick Checks
- [ ] Is the error message clear and specific?
- [ ] Have you checked the line number mentioned?
- [ ] Are all variables defined before use?
- [ ] Are all required imports/dependencies present?
- [ ] Is the syntax correct?
### 5. Advanced Debugging
If the issue persists:
- Use a proper debugger (Chrome DevTools, pdb, etc.)
- Add detailed logging
- Check memory usage and performance
- Review similar issues on Stack Overflow
- Use git bisect to find the breaking commit
### 6. Prevention
To avoid similar issues:
- Add error handling
- Write unit tests
- Use type checking (TypeScript, type hints)
- Implement logging strategy
- Code reviews
## Need More Help?
Please provide:
1. Full error message and stack trace
2. Relevant code snippet
3. Steps to reproduce
4. What you've already tried
