find-exception-issues
Detects exception handling issues in PHP code. Finds swallowed exceptions, generic catches, missing exception handling, re-throwing without context, exception in finally.
Best use case
find-exception-issues is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Detects exception handling issues in PHP code. Finds swallowed exceptions, generic catches, missing exception handling, re-throwing without context, exception in finally.
Teams using find-exception-issues should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/find-exception-issues/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How find-exception-issues Compares
| Feature / Agent | find-exception-issues | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Detects exception handling issues in PHP code. Finds swallowed exceptions, generic catches, missing exception handling, re-throwing without context, exception in finally.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# Exception Issue Detection
Analyze PHP code for exception handling problems.
## Detection Patterns
### 1. Swallowed Exceptions (Empty Catch)
```php
// BUG: Exception completely ignored
try {
$this->riskyOperation();
} catch (Exception $e) {
// Empty catch block - bug hidden
}
// BUG: Only logging, no handling
try {
$this->process();
} catch (Exception $e) {
$this->logger->error($e->getMessage());
// No re-throw, no return, execution continues
}
```
### 2. Generic Exception Catching
```php
// BUG: Catches everything
try {
$this->save();
} catch (Exception $e) {
// Catches TypeError, LogicException, etc.
}
// BUG: Using Throwable carelessly
try {
$this->process();
} catch (Throwable $t) {
// Catches Error too, hiding fatal issues
}
```
### 3. Missing Exception Handling
```php
// BUG: Unchecked external call
$response = $httpClient->request('GET', $url); // May throw
// BUG: File operations without try
$content = file_get_contents($path); // Returns false on failure
// BUG: JSON without error check
$data = json_decode($json); // May return null on error
```
### 4. Re-throwing Without Context
```php
// BUG: Lost context
try {
$this->process();
} catch (DatabaseException $e) {
throw new RuntimeException('Failed'); // Lost original exception
}
// FIXED: Preserve chain
throw new RuntimeException('Failed to process', 0, $e);
```
### 5. Exception in Finally Block
```php
// BUG: Exception in finally hides original
try {
$this->process();
} finally {
$this->cleanup(); // If this throws, original exception is lost
}
// FIXED:
} finally {
try {
$this->cleanup();
} catch (Exception $e) {
$this->logger->warning('Cleanup failed', ['exception' => $e]);
}
}
```
### 6. Catch Order Issues
```php
// BUG: Parent before child
try {
$this->process();
} catch (Exception $e) {
// Catches everything
} catch (InvalidArgumentException $e) {
// Never reached
}
```
### 7. Return in Finally
```php
// BUG: Return in finally overrides exception
try {
throw new Exception('Error');
} finally {
return true; // Exception is suppressed
}
```
### 8. Using Exception for Control Flow
```php
// BUG: Exception as goto
try {
foreach ($items as $item) {
if ($found) {
throw new FoundException($item);
}
}
} catch (FoundException $e) {
$result = $e->getItem();
}
```
### 9. Missing @throws Documentation
```php
// BUG: Undocumented exception
public function process(): void
{
if (!$valid) {
throw new InvalidArgumentException(); // Not documented
}
}
```
## Grep Patterns
```bash
# Empty catch blocks
Grep: "catch\s*\([^)]+\)\s*\{\s*\}" --glob "**/*.php"
# Generic Exception catch
Grep: "catch\s*\(\s*(Exception|\\\\Exception)\s+" --glob "**/*.php"
# Throwable catch
Grep: "catch\s*\(\s*(Throwable|\\\\Throwable)\s+" --glob "**/*.php"
# throw new without previous
Grep: "throw new \w+Exception\([^,)]+\);" --glob "**/*.php"
# Return in finally
Grep: "finally\s*\{[^}]*return" --glob "**/*.php"
```
## Severity Classification
| Pattern | Severity |
|---------|----------|
| Swallowed exception | 🔴 Critical |
| Return in finally | 🔴 Critical |
| Generic Throwable catch | 🟠 Major |
| Lost exception chain | 🟠 Major |
| Exception for control flow | 🟡 Minor |
| Missing @throws | 🟡 Minor |
## Best Practices
### Specific Exception Handling
```php
try {
$this->save();
} catch (UniqueConstraintException $e) {
throw new DuplicateEmailException($email, 0, $e);
} catch (ConnectionException $e) {
throw new DatabaseUnavailableException(0, $e);
}
// Let other exceptions bubble up
```
### Proper Exception Chain
```php
throw new DomainException(
sprintf('Failed to process order %s', $orderId),
previous: $originalException
);
```
### Safe Finally
```php
try {
$this->process();
} finally {
try {
$this->cleanup();
} catch (Throwable $e) {
// Log but don't throw
$this->logger->error('Cleanup failed', ['exception' => $e]);
}
}
```
## Output Format
```markdown
### Exception Issue: [Description]
**Severity:** 🔴/🟠/🟡
**Location:** `file.php:line`
**Type:** [Swallowed|Generic Catch|Missing Chain|...]
**Issue:**
[Description of the exception handling problem]
**Code:**
```php
// Problematic code
```
**Fix:**
```php
// Proper exception handling
```
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