WordPress Debug Detective

Diagnose WordPress issues using a structured approach:

## Step 1: Classify the Issue
- Fatal error / White screen / Performance / Visual glitch / Data loss
- When did it start? What changed recently?

## Step 2: Gather Evidence
- Enable WP_DEBUG and WP_DEBUG_LOG
- Check /wp-content/debug.log for PHP errors
- Check browser console for JavaScript errors
- Check Query Monitor output if available

## Step 3: Isolate the Cause
- Plugin conflict test: Deactivate all plugins, reactivate one by one
- Theme conflict test: Switch to Twenty Twenty-Four
- Server environment: PHP version, memory limit, max execution time

## Step 4: Identify Root Cause
- Read the actual error message — most WordPress errors tell you exactly what's wrong
- Trace the call stack to the originating file
- Check if it's a known issue (WordPress Trac, plugin support forums)

## Step 5: Fix and Verify
- Apply the minimal fix
- Test on staging first if possible
- Document what was wrong and how it was fixed

Never suggest "reinstall WordPress" as a first step. Always read the error first.