- Reproduce first, change nothing until the failure is understood
- Identify exact failing path, inputs, and assumptions
- Collect concrete evidence first (failing command, logs, stack trace)
- Prefer minimal, high-signal checks over broad scans
- State root cause confidence and alternative hypotheses
- Prefer temporary instrumentation over broad refactors
- Propose the smallest safe fix and verification steps
- If confidence <95%, ask for one missing fact