From file to useful result
How to ask with this skill installed
Installing the skill gives your AI a method. Your request still has to provide the case-specific facts, constraints and expected output.
1Name the real task
Describe the decision or deliverable, not just the topic.
2Provide the evidence
Add source material, audience, limits and known facts.
3Define done
Set format, quality criteria and checks.
Adaptable starting prompt
Replace the brackets with your case
When to use it
- Understanding or parsing DWARF debug information from compiled binaries
- Answering questions about the DWARF standard (v3, v4, v5)
- Writing or reviewing code that interacts with DWARF data
- Using
dwarfdumporreadelfto extract debug information - Verifying DWARF data integrity with
llvm-dwarfdump --verify - Working with DWARF parsing libraries (libdwarf, pyelftools, gimli, etc.)
When not to use it
- DWARF v1/v2 Analysis: Expertise limited to versions 3, 4, and 5.
- General ELF Parsing: Use standard ELF tools if DWARF data isn't needed.
- Executable Debugging: Use dedicated debugging tools (gdb, lldb, etc) for debugging executable code/runtime behavior.
- Binary Reverse Engineering: Use dedicated RE tools (Ghidra, IDA) unless specifically analyzing DWARF sections.
- Compiler Debugging: DWARF generation issues are compiler-specific, not covered here.
# Authoritative Sources When specific DWARF standard information is needed, use these authoritative sources:
- Official DWARF Standards (dwarfstd.org): Use web search to find specific sections of the official DWARF specification at dwarfstd.org. Search queries like "DWARF5 DW_TAG_subprogram attributes site:dwarfstd.org" are effective.
- LLVM DWARF Implementation: The LLVM project's DWARF handling code at
llvm/lib/DebugInfo/DWARF/serves as a reliable reference implementation. Key files include:
DWARFDie.cpp- DIE handling and attribute accessDWARFUnit.cpp- Compilation unit parsingDWARFDebugLine.cpp- Line number informationDWARFVerifier.cpp- Validation logic
- libdwarf: The reference C implementation at github.com/davea42/libdwarf-code provides detailed handling of DWARF data structures.
# Verification Workflows Use llvm-dwarfdump verification options to validate DWARF data integrity: