debugging-and-git-checkpoints

name	debugging-and-git-checkpoints
description	Debug the smallest likely cause first while using frequent Git checkpoints in this teaching repo. Use when students need to isolate bugs, keep diffs small, verify fixes, and preserve readable commit history during Codex-assisted iteration.

Skill: debugging-and-git-checkpoints

What This Skill Is

A lightweight workflow that combines bug isolation and Git checkpoints for safe iteration.

Why It Matters in This Project

Students should learn to verify AI edits and recover quickly when a change goes wrong.

Files Usually Touched

• usually none (workflow skill)
• sometimes README.md for clarifying process

Common Bugs

• Fixing multiple issues at once
• No checkpoint before risky edits
• Skipping git diff review

Debugging Checklist

1. Reproduce bug consistently
2. Make a checkpoint commit
3. Change one likely cause only
4. Re-test and inspect git diff
5. Commit a focused fix

How Students Should Ask Codex

"Help me debug this stage with minimal edits. Find the smallest likely cause first and give me verification steps before and after fix."

Done Looks Like

• Bug is reproducible then fixed
• Commit history is small and understandable
• Student can explain what changed and why