
stuck
Get unstuck when blocked on a problem. Use when you've tried multiple approaches without success, or when debugging has hit a wall.
- Installs
- 44
- Last 24h
- —
- Trending rank
- —
- Security
- Not audited
Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/johnlindquist/claude --skill stuck- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads stuck automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
Stuck Helper
Systematic approaches for getting unstuck on hard problems.
When to Use
- You've tried multiple approaches without success
- The same error keeps appearing despite fixes
- You don't understand why something isn't working
- Debugging has hit a dead end
Quick Unstuck
gemini -m pro -o text -e "" "I'm stuck on this problem:
PROBLEM: [describe what you're trying to do]
TRIED: [what you've already attempted]
ERROR/SYMPTOM: [what's happening]
EXPECTED: [what should happen]
Help me get unstuck. Consider:
1. Am I solving the right problem?
2. What assumptions might be wrong?
3. What haven't I tried?
4. What would an expert check first?"
Structured Debugging
Rubber Duck Protocol
gemini -m pro -o text -e "" "I need to rubber duck debug this issue:
I'm trying to: [goal]
The code does: [behavior]
I expected: [expected behavior]
The relevant code is:
\`\`\`
[paste code]
\`\`\`
Walk through the code step by step with me, questioning each assumption."
Assumption Audit
gemini -m pro -o text -e "" "Audit my assumptions about this problem:
PROBLEM: [description]
MY ASSUMPTIONS:
1. [assumption 1]
2. [assumption 2]
3. [assumption 3]
For each assumption:
- Is it definitely true?
- How would I verify it?
- What if it's wrong?"
Fresh Perspective
gemini -m pro -o text -e "" "I've been stuck on this for a while. Give me a completely fresh approach:
PROBLEM: [description]
WHAT I'VE TRIED:
- [approach 1]
- [approach 2]
- [approach 3]
Suggest approaches from a different angle. What would someone with no context try?"
Common Stuck Scenarios
Async/Promise Issues
gemini -m pro -o text -e "" "Debug this async code issue:
CODE:
\`\`\`
[paste async code]
\`\`\`
SYMPTOM: [what's happening]
Check for:
- Missing await
- Race conditions
- Unhandled rejections
- Callback timing
- Promise chain issues"
State Management
gemini -m pro -o text -e "" "Debug this state management issue:
FRAMEWORK: [React/Vue/etc]
CODE:
\`\`\`
[paste code]
\`\`\`
SYMPTOM: State not updating / Stale state / Infinite loop
Check for:
- Mutation vs immutable update
- Dependency arrays
- Closure over stale values
- Re-render triggers"
Type Errors
gemini -m pro -o text -e "" "Help me understand this TypeScript error:
ERROR:
\`\`\`
[paste error]
\`\`\`
CODE:
\`\`\`
[paste code]
\`\`\`
Explain:
1. What the error means in plain English
2. Why TypeScript is complaining
3. How to fix it properly (not just any)"
Build/Config Issues
gemini -m pro -o text -e "" "Debug this build/config issue:
TOOL: [webpack/vite/esbuild/etc]
ERROR:
\`\`\`
[paste error]
\`\`\`
CONFIG:
\`\`\`
[paste config]
\`\`\`
Common causes and solutions for this type of error."
Escalation Ladder
When simple debugging fails, escalate systematically:
Level 1: Verify Environment
# Check versions
node --version
npm --version
# Check dependencies
npm ls
# Clean and reinstall
rm -rf node_modules package-lock.json && npm install
Level 2: Minimal Reproduction
# Create minimal test case
mkdir /tmp/test-issue
cd /tmp/test-issue
# Create smallest code that reproduces issue
Level 3: Git Bisect
# Find when it broke
git bisect start
git bisect bad HEAD
git bisect good <last-known-good-commit>
# Test each commit git suggests
Level 4: Search for Similar Issues
# GitHub issues
gh search issues "[error message]" --limit 10
# With specific repo
gh search issues "[error]" --repo package/repo
Level 5: Ask for Help
# Prepare a good question
gemini -m pro -o text -e "" "Help me write a good Stack Overflow question for:
PROBLEM: [description]
CODE: [minimal reproduction]
ERROR: [full error]
TRIED: [what I've attempted]
Format as a clear, answerable question."
Prevention Checklist
After getting unstuck, prevent recurrence:
gemini -m pro -o text -e "" "I just solved this issue:
PROBLEM: [what was wrong]
SOLUTION: [how I fixed it]
Suggest:
1. Test to prevent regression
2. Documentation to add
3. Linting/tooling to catch this earlier
4. Pattern to follow in future"
Best Practices
- State the problem clearly - Writing it out often reveals the issue
- List what you've tried - Prevents repeating failed approaches
- Question assumptions - Often the issue is a wrong assumption
- Simplify - Remove code until you find the minimal case
- Take breaks - Fresh eyes see what tired ones miss
- Ask for help early - Don't spend hours on a 5-minute question
- Document the solution - Future you will thank present you
FAQ
What does the stuck skill do?
Get unstuck when blocked on a problem. Use when you've tried multiple approaches without success, or when debugging has hit a wall.
How do I install stuck?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/johnlindquist/claude --skill stuck in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/stuck/ (personal) or .claude/skills/stuck/ (project).
Which AI agents can use stuck?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is stuck safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains stuck?
It is published by johnlindquist in johnlindquist/claude. It has 44 recorded installs.
More from johnlindquist/claude
gemini-image
johnlindquist/claude
Analyze images using Gemini's vision capabilities. Use for image analysis, text extraction from screenshots, and visual content understanding.
memory
johnlindquist/claude
Persistent knowledge storage using basic-memory CLI. Use to save notes, search memories semantically, and build context for topics across sessions.
brainstorm
johnlindquist/claude
Generate ideas and explore possibilities with AI. Use for creative problem solving, generating alternatives, and expanding on concepts.
deepwiki
johnlindquist/claude
Query DeepWiki for repository documentation and structure. Use to understand open source projects, find API docs, and explore codebases.
Popular code quality & workflow skills
grill-me
mattpocock/skills
A relentless interview to sharpen a plan or design.
improve-codebase-architecture
mattpocock/skills
Scan a codebase for deepening opportunities, present them as a visual HTML report, then grill through whichever one you pick.
handoff
mattpocock/skills
Compact the current conversation into a handoff document for another agent to pick up.
domain-modeling
mattpocock/skills
Build and sharpen a project's domain model. Use when discussing codebase terminology, writing or editing a GLOSSARY.md, or recording or editing an ADR.
codebase-design
mattpocock/skills
Shared vocabulary for designing deep modules. Use when the user wants to design or improve a module's interface, find deepening opportunities, decide where a seam goes, make code more testable or AI-navigable, or when another skill needs the deep-module vocabulary.
diagnosing-bugs
mattpocock/skills
Diagnosis loop for hard bugs and performance regressions. Use when the user says "diagnose"/"debug this", or reports something broken/throwing/failing/slow.