Claude Debugs For You
Let any LLM interactively debug your code in VS Code via breakpoints and expression evaluation.
Add to your client
Copy the config for your MCP client and paste it into its config file.
Paste into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"claude-debugs-for-you": {
"command": "node",
"args": [
"/path/to/mcp-debug.js"
]
}
}
}Step-by-step guides: Add to Claude Desktop · Add to Cursor · Add to Windsurf
Before you start
- Visual Studio Code with the "Claude Debugs For You" extension installed (from GitHub Releases or the VS Code Marketplace)
- Node.js (the stdio server runs via `node mcp-debug.js`)
- A project with a `.vscode/launch.json` configured to debug the target file (e.g. using `${file}`)
- An MCP client that supports tool use (Claude Desktop, Continue, Cursor, etc.)
About Claude Debugs For You
An MCP server + VS Code extension that enables Claude (or any tool-capable LLM) to interactively debug code in VS Code: list files, read file contents, set conditional breakpoints, launch, continue, and evaluate expressions at breakpoints. Language-agnostic given a valid .vscode/launch.json. Served over stdio (Claude Desktop) or SSE (e.g. Cursor).
Tools & capabilities (3)
listFilesList all files in the workspace (optionally filtered by include/exclude glob patterns). Used to find requested files.
getFileContentGet file content with line numbers for a given absolute path. Typically used after listFiles to understand available files.
debugExecute a debug plan made of steps: setBreakpoint, removeBreakpoint, launch, continue, and evaluate. Breakpoints support an optional condition; expressions are evaluated in the current paused stack frame. Breakpoints must be set before launching or while paused; launch brings you to the first breakpoint, and continue advances between breakpoints.
When to use it
- Asking an LLM to debug a failing function step by step using breakpoints and expression evaluation instead of guessing
- Inspecting variable values and evaluating expressions at runtime in any VS Code-debuggable language
- Setting conditional breakpoints to stop only when a specific condition holds
- Letting Continue or Cursor drive a debugging session and suggest a fix to apply
Security notes
Distributed as a VS Code extension (from GitHub Releases or the VS Code Marketplace), not via npm. The stdio config requires the absolute path to the generated `mcp-debug.js`; obtain it with the VS Code command "Copy MCP Debug Server stdio path to clipboard" and substitute it for `/path/to/mcp-debug.js`. The server gives the LLM the ability to read workspace files, set/launch breakpoints, and evaluate arbitrary expressions in your running program's debug context, so only enable it on code you trust to execute.
Claude Debugs For You FAQ
Does it only work with Claude?
No. It is an MCP server, so it works with any tool-capable LLM/client. The author demonstrates it with Claude Desktop and Continue, and documents SSE setup for clients like Cursor.
What languages are supported?
It is language-agnostic, as long as the language has debugger console support and you provide a valid `.vscode/launch.json` for debugging the target file in VS Code.
How do I configure it for Claude Desktop?
Install the VS Code extension, run the command "Copy MCP Debug Server stdio path to clipboard", then add an `mcpServers` entry named e.g. `debug` with `command: "node"` and `args: ["/path/to/mcp-debug.js"]` (the copied path) to your `claude_desktop_config.json`, and restart the client.
Can I use SSE instead of stdio?
Yes. Use the "Copy MCP Debug Server sse address to clipboard" command, or the default URL `http://localhost:4711/sse` (or your configured port), and add it to your client (refresh may be required, e.g. in Cursor).
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