From outputai
Debug Output SDK workflow issues including failures, errors, hangs, and wrong results. Guides systematic investigation of workflow execution problems.
How this skill is triggered — by the user, by Claude, or both
Slash command
/outputai:output-debug-workflowopusThe summary Claude sees in its skill listing — used to decide when to auto-load this skill
Your task is to systematically debug an Output SDK workflow issue in a local development environment.
Your task is to systematically debug an Output SDK workflow issue in a local development environment.
The first argument is a textual description of the problem you're experiencing. If you have a specific workflow ID, include it in your description.
Use the todo tool to track your progress through the debugging process.
Follow a systematic approach to identify and resolve workflow execution issues: verify infrastructure, gather evidence, analyze traces, and apply targeted fixes.
<pre_flight_check>
EXECUTE: Claude Skill: output-meta-pre-flight
</pre_flight_check>
<process_flow>
Before debugging, confirm that all required services are operational. The output-services-check skill provides comprehensive guidance.
<verification_commands>
# Check Docker containers are running
docker ps | grep output
# Verify Output services respond
curl -s http://localhost:3001/health || echo "API not responding"
# Check Temporal UI is accessible
curl -s http://localhost:8080 > /dev/null && echo "Temporal UI accessible" || echo "Temporal UI not accessible"
</verification_commands>
<decision_tree> IF docker_not_running: RUN: docker compose up -d WAIT: for services to start (30-60 seconds) IF output_dev_not_running: RUN: npx output dev WAIT: for services to initialize IF all_services_running: PROCEED: to step 2 </decision_tree>
Expected State:
output are runninghttp://localhost:3001http://localhost:8080Identify the failing workflow execution by listing recent runs. The output-workflow-runs-list skill provides detailed filtering guidance.
<list_commands>
# List all recent workflow runs
npx output workflow runs list
# Filter by specific workflow type (if known)
npx output workflow runs list <workflowName>
# Get detailed JSON output for analysis
npx output workflow runs list --json
# Limit results to most recent
npx output workflow runs list --limit 10
</list_commands>
<identification_criteria> Look for:
<decision_tree>
IF user_provided_workflow_id:
USE: provided workflow ID
PROCEED: to step 3
IF failed_runs_found:
SELECT: most recent failed run
NOTE: workflow ID from output
PROCEED: to step 3
IF no_runs_found:
CHECK: workflow exists with npx output workflow list
IF workflow_not_found:
REPORT: workflow doesn't exist
SUGGEST: verify workflow name and location
ELSE:
SUGGEST: run the workflow with npx output workflow run <name>
</decision_tree>
Retrieve and analyze the execution trace for the identified workflow. The output-workflow-trace skill provides analysis techniques.
<debug_commands>
# Display execution trace (text format)
npx output workflow debug <workflowId>
# Display full untruncated trace (JSON format) - recommended for detailed analysis
npx output workflow debug <workflowId> --json
</debug_commands>
Tip: Use --json for complete trace data without truncation.
<analysis_checklist>
<temporal_ui_guidance> For visual workflow inspection, open the Temporal Web UI at http://localhost:8080:
Based on the trace analysis, identify the error pattern and suggest targeted fixes. Claude will invoke the relevant error skill based on symptoms.
<error_matching>
| Symptom | Skill |
|---|---|
| "incompatible schema" errors, type errors | output-error-zod-import |
| Replay failures, inconsistent results | output-error-nondeterminism |
| Retries not working, errors swallowed | output-error-try-catch |
| Type errors, undefined properties at step boundaries | output-error-missing-schemas |
| Workflow hangs, determinism errors | output-error-direct-io |
| Untraced requests, axios errors | output-error-http-client |
</error_matching>
<decision_tree> IF error_matches_known_pattern: INVOKE: relevant error skill for detailed fix ELSE: CONSULT: workflow-quality subagent for additional patterns SUGGEST: Manual trace inspection in Temporal UI </decision_tree>
After applying fix: ```bash # Re-run the workflow to verify npx output workflow runnpx output workflow start npx output workflow status npx output workflow result
npx output workflow reset --step --reason ""
For targeted rerun after fixing a downstream step, see the `output-workflow-reset` skill.
</verification>
</step>
</process_flow>
<post_flight_check>
EXECUTE: Claude Skill: `output-meta-post-flight`
</post_flight_check>
---- START ----
Problem Description and Optional Workflow ID:
$ARGUMENTS
npx claudepluginhub growthxai/output --plugin outputaiAnalyzes Output SDK workflow execution traces to debug failures, examine step inputs/outputs, and understand execution flow using the Output CLI and Temporal UI.
Debugs orchestration workflow execution issues like syntax errors, agent failures, variable problems, parallel hangs, and checkpoints. Use when workflows fail or produce unexpected results.
Creates bite-sized, testable implementation plans from specs or requirements, with file structure and task decomposition. Activates before coding multi-step tasks.