Debug Tools
VSCode extension and CLI tool for MCP-based debugging with DAP protocol support
What is Debug Tools?
Debug Tools is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to vscode extension and cli tool for mcp-based debugging with dap protocol support
VSCode extension and CLI tool for MCP-based debugging with DAP protocol support
This server falls under the Developer Tools category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- VSCode extension and CLI tool for MCP-based debugging with D
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
Manual Installation
npx mcp-debug-toolsConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use Debug Tools
MCP Debug Tools is a VSCode extension and CLI toolkit that bridges AI assistants with the Debug Adapter Protocol (DAP), enabling language models to set breakpoints, control execution flow, inspect variables, and evaluate expressions inside a live debugging session. It exposes 29 structured debugging tools organized into breakpoint management, execution control, state inspection, and workspace management categories. Developers use it to let Claude or other AI agents actively participate in debugging sessions rather than just reading static code.
Prerequisites
- Node.js 18+ installed on your system
- Visual Studio Code with an active debugging session (any DAP-compatible debugger)
- The @uhd_kr/mcp-debug-tools package accessible via npx or global npm install
- An MCP-compatible client such as Claude Desktop
Install the MCP debug tools package
Install globally with npm to make the CLI available system-wide, or use npx to run without a permanent install.
npm install -g @uhd_kr/mcp-debug-tools
# or use without installing:
npx @uhd_kr/mcp-debug-toolsAdd the server to your MCP client configuration
Open claude_desktop_config.json and add the debug tools server entry. The package is run via npx so it always uses the latest version.
{
"mcpServers": {
"mcp-debug-tools": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["@uhd_kr/mcp-debug-tools"]
}
}
}Start a debug session in VSCode
Open your project in VSCode, set at least one breakpoint, and start a debugging session using F5 or the Run and Debug panel. The MCP server connects to active VSCode instances via workspace configuration.
Select the VSCode instance from your AI client
When multiple VSCode windows are open, use the list-vscode-instances and select-vscode-instance tools to target the correct workspace before issuing debug commands.
npx @uhd_kr/mcp-debug-tools call list-vscode-instancesIssue debug commands through your MCP client
With a debug session active, you can now ask Claude to add breakpoints, step through code, inspect variables, and evaluate expressions in the live session.
npx @uhd_kr/mcp-debug-tools call add-breakpoint '{"file": "src/app.ts", "line": 42}'Debug Tools Examples
Client configuration
Claude Desktop configuration for MCP Debug Tools using npx to run the @uhd_kr/mcp-debug-tools package.
{
"mcpServers": {
"mcp-debug-tools": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["@uhd_kr/mcp-debug-tools"]
}
}
}Prompts to try
Natural-language prompts for controlling a live VSCode debugging session through Claude using the 29 available DAP tools.
- "Set a breakpoint on line 42 of src/app.ts and start the debug session"
- "Show me all variables in scope at the current breakpoint"
- "Step over the current line and tell me how the value of 'userCount' changed"
- "Evaluate the expression 'items.filter(x => x.active).length' in the current debug context"
- "List all current breakpoints and remove any in the test files"
- "Show me the full call stack at the current pause point"Troubleshooting Debug Tools
Tools report 'no active VSCode instance found'
The server discovers VSCode instances via a global registry at ~/.mcp-debug-tools/active-configs.json. Make sure VSCode is open with a workspace and that the mcp-debug-tools extension is installed and enabled. Restart VSCode after installing the extension.
Breakpoints are set but execution never pauses
Ensure the debugger is actually attached and running, not just configured. Start the debug session with F5 in VSCode before issuing commands. Also verify the file path passed to add-breakpoint matches the exact path as seen by VSCode (relative paths may not resolve correctly).
npx @uhd_kr/mcp-debug-tools fails with package not found
The npm package name includes the scope prefix @uhd_kr/. Run 'npx @uhd_kr/mcp-debug-tools list' to confirm the package resolves. If you're behind a corporate proxy, set NPM_CONFIG_PROXY or use 'npm install -g @uhd_kr/mcp-debug-tools' with proxy settings configured in .npmrc.
Frequently Asked Questions about Debug Tools
What is Debug Tools?
Debug Tools is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that vscode extension and cli tool for mcp-based debugging with dap protocol support It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install Debug Tools?
Follow the installation instructions on the Debug Tools GitHub repository. Clone the repo, install dependencies, and add the server config to your AI client.
Which AI clients work with Debug Tools?
Debug Tools works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is Debug Tools free to use?
Yes, Debug Tools is open source and available under the GPL-3.0 license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
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