code-first-responder

name	Code First Responder
slug	code_first_responder
summary	Deterministic triage flow for failing tests or regressions.
description	Guides the agent through a short, repeatable debug loop: capture the failure, isolate the scope, draft a patch plan, and log the decision so the next agent can continue without rereading the entire repo.
version	0.1.0
author	ff-terminal-core
priority	default
tags	["code","debugging","testing"]
triggers	["bug","failing test","stack trace","regression","error","traceback"]
assets	["templates/debug_report_template.md","templates/fix_checklist.md"]
recommended_tools	["run_command","read_file","search_code","write_file"]

Code First Responder

When to load this skill

• Incoming task references failing tests, stack traces, or recent merges.
• User explicitly wants a "quick triage", "first look", or "rough fix plan".
• Another skill (e.g., Rapid Research) flagged new code issues that need confirmation.

Guardrails

1. Never edit files before the failure is reproduced locally.
2. Capture the exact command + exit code inside the debug report template.
3. Prefer minimal diffs; defer major refactors to a follow-up task.
4. If the failure cannot be reproduced quickly, escalate with the captured evidence and leave the repo untouched.

Five-step micro-playbook

1. Snapshot context
   • Record branch, latest commit hash, and dirty files.
   • Paste the failure summary into templates/debug_report_template.md.
2. Reproduce fast
   • Run the narrowest test or script possible.
   • Store the exact CLI command and snippet of output.
3. Isolate scope
   • Identify the component or file set causing the issue.
   • Outline suspected root causes without editing yet.
4. Propose fix plan
   • List concrete actions (edit file X, update test Y, run command Z).
   • Mark each action as must, optional, or blocked.
5. Optional patch
   • If the fix is obvious (<30 lines), apply it and run validation.
   • Update the debug report with the diff summary and test status.

Output checklist

Refer to templates/fix_checklist.md and ensure every box is addressed:

• Failure reproduced?
• Minimal scope understood?
• Plan or patch documented?
• Validation command + result captured?
• Handover note written?

Response snippet to send back to the user

## Debug Status
- Branch/commit: ...
- Failure reproduced: yes/no (command)
- Root-cause hypothesis: ...
- Next actions: ...

## Attachments
- debug_report_template.md (updated)

Companion tools

• run_command for fast tests.
• read_file + search_code for targeted inspection.