Bug Fix Protocol

Principle: FIX ROOT CAUSE, NOT SYMPTOM.

Workflow

1. STOP -- Pause at the error
2. CAPTURE -- Record all error information
3. ANALYZE -- 5 Whys to find root cause
4. FIX -- Minimal patch for root cause
5. VERIFY -- Confirm the fix works
6. PREVENT -- Add protection against recurrence

Error Capture Template

## ERROR CAPTURED
**Command:** [what caused the error]
**Error Output:**
[FULL output, don't truncate]
**Context:** File: [file], Action: [what I was doing]

Root Cause Analysis (5 Whys)

Use _base-5wh.mdc template. Dig at least 5 levels:

**Why 1:** [surface error]
  -> **Why 2:** [deeper cause]
    -> **Why 3:** [even deeper]
      -> **Why 4:** [structural issue]
        -> **Why 5:** [root cause]

ROOT CAUSE: [the real problem]
FIX: [minimal change to address root cause]

Common Error Patterns

Anti-patterns (FORBIDDEN)

• try/catch that silences errors without fixing root cause
• Workarounds without documentation
• Multiple fixes at once (one change at a time!)
• Ignoring recurring errors

Success Criteria

• The same command that caused the error now works
• Root cause is addressed, not just the symptom
• No new errors introduced