Surgical Patch

by juliusbrussee2e08b9177c07No licenseListed Oct 8, 2026Updated Oct 8, 2026

Fix bugs and small behavior changes at the narrowest responsible layer. Use when regression proof, preserved surrounding behavior, and task-relevant tests matter.

Instructions onlySoftware Development
AI-generated overview

Guides making narrow, minimal code fixes that preserve surrounding behavior and add task-relevant regression proof.

What it does
This skill provides instructions for fixing bugs and small behavior changes at the narrowest responsible layer. It directs the agent to reproduce the failure first when economical, trace the symptom to the responsible mechanism, and change only the layer that owns the incorrect behavior. It also emphasizes preserving unrelated behavior and user changes, avoiding cleanup or renaming outside the fix, and adding only regression proof relevant to the task. It produces a focused patch and verification guidance rather than a standalone tool or script.
When to use it
Use it when a bug or small behavior change needs a minimal, targeted fix. It is appropriate when regression proof, preserved surrounding behavior, and task-relevant tests matter. It is not intended for broad refactoring or cleanup work.
Requirements
No scripts or special tools are required; it is instructions only. The agent needs access to the relevant codebase and the ability to run focused tests or the nearest affected gate.

Surgical patch

Reproduce failure first when economical; otherwise capture strongest available evidence.

  • Trace symptom to responsible mechanism.
  • Change narrowest layer that owns incorrect behavior.
  • Preserve unrelated behavior and user changes.
  • Avoid cleanup, renaming, and abstraction outside fix.
  • Add only regression proof relevant to task.

Run focused proof plus nearest affected gate. Stop when failure is fixed and regression proof passes.

Source and attribution

Source:juliusbrussee/cavemaninskills/surgical-patchat commit2e08b91

License: No license

Content belongs to its original authors. SourceWeft indexes it from a public repository.

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