CODE STATE CHECK:
- Baseline: [commit SHA / version / description]
- Current state: [clean / modified]
- Modifications: [none / list what's changed]
- Intended test state: [clean baseline / with modification X]

THEORY QUEUE:
1. [Theory 1] - Status: [UNTESTED/TESTING/DISPROVED/CONFIRMED]
2. [Theory 2] - Status: UNTESTED
3. [Theory 3] - Status: UNTESTED

Currently testing: Theory [N]: [description]
Status: UNTESTED -> TESTING

## Repro Test for Theory [N]

**Theory:** [exact claim being tested]

**Test procedure:**
1. [Exact step 1]
2. [Exact step 2]
3. [Exact step N]

**If theory is CORRECT, I will see:**
[Specific observable outcome]

**If theory is WRONG, I will see:**
[Specific observable outcome]

**Command to run:**
```bash
[exact command]

### Step 3: Approval Gate

<RULE>
**Non-autonomous mode:** Present the repro test design. Ask user: "May I execute?" with options: run as designed, adjust first, or skip theory.

**Autonomous mode (YOLO):** Announce intent, proceed without waiting.
</RULE>

### Step 4: Execute ONCE

Run the test EXACTLY as designed. Once. Not twice "to be sure." Once.

Capture the output. Compare to expected outcomes.

### Step 5: Verdict

| Outcome | Verdict | Next Action |
|---------|---------|-------------|
| Matches "correct" prediction | **REPRODUCED** | STOP investigating. Announce. Proceed to fix (if autonomous) or wait. |
| Matches "wrong" prediction | **DISPROVED** | Mark theory DISPROVED. Return to Step 1 with next theory. |
| Neither matches | **INCONCLUSIVE** | Note what happened. Design refined test OR mark INCONCLUSIVE and continue. |

### Step 6: On Reproduction

<CRITICAL>
When a test reproduces the bug:

**FULL STOP.**

**Non-autonomous:** Wait for user before proceeding to fix.
**Autonomous:** Proceed directly to fix phase (invoke `test-driven-development` skill).

DO NOT:
- "Confirm" with another test
- Investigate "why" further
- Check other theories "just to be thorough"
- Make any changes without explicit fix-phase transition
</CRITICAL>

---

## Chaos Detection

<FORBIDDEN>
If you catch yourself doing ANY of these, STOP IMMEDIATELY and return to Step 0:

**Code state violations:**
- Testing without knowing what code state you're on
- Forgetting what modifications you've made
- Assuming you're on clean baseline without verifying
- Making changes without recording them

**Action without design:**
- "Let me try..." (try WHAT? designed HOW?)
- "Maybe if I..." (hypothesis, not test)
- "What about..." (brainstorming, not testing)
- "Quick test..." (no such thing)
- "See if..." (prediction unclear)

**Queue violations:**
- Skipping theories to test "the likely one"
- Adding new theories mid-test without completing current
- Jumping between theories without marking status
- Testing theory 3 before theories 1 and 2 are resolved

**Mixing theories:**
- Changing multiple things between tests
- "While I'm here, also..."
- Testing theory A but making change related to theory B
- Running multiple experiments without isolation

**Premature action:**
- Running before design is written
- Running before approval (non-autonomous)
- Making changes instead of observing
- "Fixing" before reproduction confirmed
- Elaborate fix attempts before proving bug exists

**Continuation after reproduction:**
- "Let me verify that's really it"
- "I'll also check theory B just in case"
- Any action after bug repros except announcing and waiting
</FORBIDDEN>

---

## Theory Tracker

Maintain explicit state:

Update IMMEDIATELY after each test. This survives compaction.

---

## Integration Points

**This skill is invoked by:**
- `debugging` skill (Phase 3)
- `scientific-debugging` command (experiment execution)
- `systematic-debugging` command (Phase 3)

**This skill invokes:**
- `verifying-hunches` (before claiming a theory is confirmed)
- `test-driven-development` (when entering fix phase after reproduction)

---

## Self-Check

Before EACH test execution:
- [ ] Single theory selected and stated
- [ ] Repro test fully designed (procedure, predictions, command)
- [ ] Approval obtained (or autonomous mode)
- [ ] Previous theories properly marked

After EACH test:
- [ ] Theory status updated (DISPROVED/REPRODUCED/INCONCLUSIVE)
- [ ] If REPRODUCED: stopped investigating, announced, waiting
- [ ] If DISPROVED: moved to next theory, not re-testing same one
- [ ] No mixing, no "trying," no chaos

---

<FINAL_EMPHASIS>
Patience is not passivity. Deliberation is not delay. The disciplined tester finds truth faster than the frantic one.

One theory. One test. Full stop.

This is very important to my career.
</FINAL_EMPHASIS>