7.3 KiB
Diagnostic Workflows
Version: 2.0 Source: Bootstrap-003 Error Recovery Methodology Last Updated: 2025-10-18 Coverage: 78.7% of errors (8 workflows)
Step-by-step diagnostic procedures for common error categories.
Workflow 1: Build/Compilation Errors (15.0%)
MTTD: 2-5 minutes
Symptoms
go buildfails- Error messages:
*.go:[line]:[col]: [error]
Diagnostic Steps
Step 1: Identify Error Location
go build 2>&1 | tee build-error.log
grep "\.go:" build-error.log
Step 2: Classify Error Type
- Syntax error (braces, semicolons)
- Type error (mismatches)
- Import error (unused/missing)
- Definition error (undefined references)
Step 3: Inspect Context
sed -n '[line-5],[line+5]p' [file]
Tools
go build,grep,sed- IDE/editor
Success Criteria
- Root cause identified
- Fix approach clear
Automation
Medium (linters, IDE integration)
Workflow 2: Test Failures (11.2%)
MTTD: 3-10 minutes
Symptoms
go testfailsFAILmessages in output
Diagnostic Steps
Step 1: Identify Failing Test
go test ./... -v 2>&1 | tee test-output.log
grep "FAIL:" test-output.log
Step 2: Isolate Test
go test ./internal/parser -run TestParseSession
Step 3: Analyze Failure
- Assertion failure (expected vs actual)
- Panic (runtime error)
- Timeout
- Setup failure
Step 4: Inspect Code/Data
cat [test_file].go | grep -A 20 "func Test[Name]"
cat tests/fixtures/[fixture]
Tools
go test,grep- Test fixtures
Success Criteria
- Understand why assertion failed
- Know expected vs actual behavior
Automation
Low (requires understanding intent)
Workflow 3: File Not Found (18.7%)
MTTD: 1-3 minutes
Symptoms
File does not existNo such file or directory
Diagnostic Steps
Step 1: Verify Non-Existence
ls [path]
find . -name "[filename]"
Step 2: Search for Similar Files
find . -iname "*[partial_name]*"
ls [directory]/
Step 3: Classify Issue
- Path typo (wrong name/location)
- File not created yet
- Wrong working directory
- Case sensitivity issue
Step 4: Fuzzy Match
# Use automation tool
./scripts/validate-path.sh [attempted_path]
Tools
ls,findvalidate-path.sh(automation)
Success Criteria
- Know exact cause (typo vs missing)
- Found correct path or know file needs creation
Automation
High (path validation, fuzzy matching)
Workflow 4: File Size Exceeded (6.3%)
MTTD: 1-2 minutes
Symptoms
File content exceeds maximum allowed tokens- Read operation fails with size error
Diagnostic Steps
Step 1: Check File Size
wc -l [file]
du -h [file]
Step 2: Determine Strategy
- Use offset/limit parameters
- Use grep/head/tail
- Process in chunks
Step 3: Execute Alternative
# Option A: Pagination
Read [file] offset=0 limit=1000
# Option B: Selective reading
grep "pattern" [file]
head -n 1000 [file]
Tools
wc,du- Read tool with pagination
grep,head,tailcheck-file-size.sh(automation)
Success Criteria
- Got needed information without full read
Automation
Full (size check, auto-pagination)
Workflow 5: Write Before Read (5.2%)
MTTD: 1-2 minutes
Symptoms
File has not been read yet- Write/Edit tool error
Diagnostic Steps
Step 1: Verify File Exists
ls [file]
Step 2: Determine Operation Type
- Modification → Use Edit tool
- Complete rewrite → Read then Write
- New file → Write directly (no Read needed)
Step 3: Add Read Step
Read [file]
Edit [file] old_string="..." new_string="..."
Tools
- Read, Edit, Write tools
check-read-before-write.sh(automation)
Success Criteria
- File read before modification
- Correct tool chosen (Edit vs Write)
Automation
Full (auto-insert Read step)
Workflow 6: Command Not Found (3.7%)
MTTD: 2-5 minutes
Symptoms
command not found- Bash execution fails
Diagnostic Steps
Step 1: Identify Command Type
which [command]
type [command]
Step 2: Check if Project Binary
ls ./[command]
ls bin/[command]
Step 3: Build if Needed
# Check build system
ls Makefile
cat Makefile | grep [command]
# Build
make build
Step 4: Execute with Path
./[command] [args]
# OR
PATH=$PATH:./bin [command] [args]
Tools
which,typemake- Project build system
Success Criteria
- Command found or built
- Can execute successfully
Automation
Medium (can detect and suggest build)
Workflow 7: JSON Parsing Errors (6.0%)
MTTD: 3-8 minutes
Diagnostic Steps
Step 1: Validate JSON Syntax
jq . [file.json]
cat [file.json] | python -m json.tool
Step 2: Locate Parsing Error
# Error message shows line/field
# View context around error
sed -n '[line-5],[line+5]p' [file.json]
Step 3: Classify Issue
- Syntax error (commas, braces)
- Type mismatch (string vs int)
- Missing field
- Schema change
Step 4: Fix or Update
- Fix JSON structure
- Update Go struct definition
- Update test fixtures
Tools
jq,python -m json.tool- Go compiler (for schema errors)
Success Criteria
- JSON is valid
- Schema matches code expectations
Automation
Medium (syntax validation yes, schema fix no)
Workflow 8: String Not Found (Edit) (3.2%)
MTTD: 1-3 minutes
Symptoms
String to replace not found in file- Edit operation fails
Diagnostic Steps
Step 1: Re-Read File
Read [file]
Step 2: Locate Target Section
grep -n "target_pattern" [file]
Step 3: Copy Exact String
- View file content
- Copy exact string (including whitespace)
- Don't retype (preserves formatting)
Step 4: Retry Edit
Edit [file] old_string="[exact_copied_string]" new_string="[new]"
Tools
- Read tool
grep -n
Success Criteria
- Found exact current string
- Edit succeeds
Automation
High (auto-refresh before edit)
Diagnostic Workflow Selection
Decision Tree
Error occurs
├─ Build fails? → Workflow 1
├─ Test fails? → Workflow 2
├─ File not found? → Workflow 3 ⚠️ AUTOMATE
├─ File too large? → Workflow 4 ⚠️ AUTOMATE
├─ Write before read? → Workflow 5 ⚠️ AUTOMATE
├─ Command not found? → Workflow 6
├─ JSON parsing? → Workflow 7
├─ Edit string not found? → Workflow 8
└─ Other? → See taxonomy.md
Best Practices
General Diagnostic Approach
- Reproduce: Ensure error is reproducible
- Classify: Match to error category
- Follow workflow: Use appropriate diagnostic workflow
- Document: Note findings for future reference
- Verify: Confirm diagnosis before fix
Time Management
- Set time limit per diagnostic step (5-10 min)
- If stuck, escalate or try different approach
- Use automation tools when available
Common Mistakes
❌ Skip verification steps ❌ Assume root cause without evidence ❌ Try fixes without diagnosis ✅ Follow workflow systematically ✅ Use tools/automation ✅ Document findings
Source: Bootstrap-003 Error Recovery Methodology Framework: BAIME (Bootstrapped AI Methodology Engineering) Status: Production-ready, validated with 1336 errors