Root Cause Tracing

# Root Cause Tracing ## Overview Bugs often manifest deep in the call stack (git init in wrong directory, file created in wrong location, database opened with wrong path). Your instinct is to fix where the error appears, but that's treating a symptom. **Core principle:** Trace backward through the call chain until you find the original trigger, then fix at the source. ## When to Use ```dot digraph when_to_use { "Bug appears deep in stack?" [shape=diamond]; "Can trace backwards?" [shape=diamond]; "Fix at symptom point" [shape=box]; "Trace to original trigger" [shape=box]; "BETTER: Also add defense-in-depth" [shape=box]; "Bug appears deep in stack?" -> "Can trace backwards?" [label="yes"]; "Can trace backwards?" -> "Trace to original trigger" [label="yes"]; "Can trace backwards?" -> "Fix at symptom point" [label="no - dead end"]; "Trace to original trigger" -> "BETTER: Also add defense-in-depth"; } ``` **Use when:** - Error happens deep in execu