Backend Debugger Skill

A Codex skill for diagnosing backend failures from the smallest overlooked mistake to production-scale architectural incidents.

Install in one repository

Copy this folder to:

<repository>/.agents/skills/backend-debugger/

Install for your Windows user

Copy this folder to:

%USERPROFILE%\.agents\skills\backend-debugger\

Invoke

In Codex CLI or the IDE extension:

$backend-debugger Debug the failing endpoint. Reproduce it, inspect causes from smallest to largest, fix the root cause, and verify the result.

Codex can also invoke it automatically when a request matches the skill description.

Optional diagnostic script

From the skill folder:

python scripts/diagnose_backend.py "C:\path\to\your\backend"

JSON output:

python scripts/diagnose_backend.py "C:\path\to\your\backend" --json

The script never prints environment values. It only checks key names and file hygiene.

Included files

• SKILL.md — core workflow and 18-level diagnostic ladder.
• agents/openai.yaml — Codex display and invocation metadata.
• references/micro-checklist.md — tiny mistakes humans frequently overlook.
• references/stack-checks.md — Node, Strapi, Python, Go, PHP, Java, .NET, databases, containers, and CI/CD checks.
• references/report-template.md — evidence-based debugging report.
• scripts/diagnose_backend.py — safe local reconnaissance.