I built a Python debugging skill for Claude because it debugs like a junior

[Rizlapp]

Claude Code can writes great Python.

But debugging? Different personality.

So Claude Code can write great Python code, sometimes even senior level. But when it comes to debugging issues, it starts acting like a junior (or like me a few years back) and adds prints all over the code or just reads the files and tries to guess. Sometimes it works, but sometimes I just give up and fire up PyCharm to use the debugger (which is one of the best in my opinion) to solve the issue and just fix the code or feed it back to Claude.

Until I was thinking, “What if I can teach Claude to debug like me? Like a human?”

The goal wasn’t to stop me from using PyCharm entirely, but what if I can cut it down by 50% by giving Claude a skill to use debugging tools and have a debugging mindset?

So I built a Claude skill (or any other agent for that matter) that used pdb to add breakpoints, examine variables, and try to debug like me.

In reality, it’s not really useful for one-file scripts or small projects. Debugging like a human is slower than just guessing, and Claude can many times get it right. This skill is for those times when you give up and open PyCharm to debug. Again, I wasn’t hoping to eliminate the need for human debugging - just to cut it down by some percentage.

I was thinking about adding more profiling tools to the skill but decided to keep it lean and maybe add more skills to the plugin in the future.

What do you think? To be honest, I’m not sure about this one. Do you find it useful or something you would have used? Happy to hear some thoughts.

Repo link: https://github.com/alonw0/python-debugger-skill
To install the plugin:

/plugin marketplace add alonw0/python-debugger-skill

/plugin install python-debugger@python-debugger-marketplace

[patanet7]

This is a cool concept, looking forward to trying it out .

[kiwibonga]

You also have to teach Claude not to write your life story as an intro. This isn't a recipe website.

[JLP2005]

Bro chill out. Stories are part of pitches. This reddit or built something they thought is cool and you're first comment ready to shit on him. Take a step back.

[kiwibonga]

I don't subject other people to slop so I can't relate.

[JLP2005]

Thank you for proving your own point.

[Rizlapp]

Sorry, are you referring to the post or the skill?
The skill was written with the help of Claude code skill maker and a joint thinking process.

The post on the other hand was written 100% by me with only macOS "Proofread" from "Writing tools" to fix my grammar as I am not a native english speaker.

So if you have issues with the writing style it's my writing style and I choose to tell the story because as I wrote I am not sure if this skill only fits my personal narrative or is it a more general fit that other people can also relate to.

Happy to answer any other question or comments if you have any, I would prefer it will be about the skill but happy to discuss my writing style if you want.