Use Live Debugger with your IDE

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  • How-to guide
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You can use Live Debugger Live Debugger directly from your own integrated development environment (IDE). Currently, Dynatrace supports Visual Studio Code and the JetBrains suite.

Requirements

Visual Studio Code

  • Minimum supported version: 1.85.0+

JetBrains IDEs

  • Minimum supported version: 2024.1
  • Recommended version: 2025.1+ for the best experience

JetBrains updates their platform versions frequently. We recommend keeping your IDE updated to the latest version to ensure compatibility with the Live Debugger plugin.

Visual Studio Code extension

Follow the steps below to set up and use the Observability for Developers by Dynatrace extension in Visual Studio Code.

1. Set up the extension

  1. In Visual Studio Code, install the Observability for Developers by Dynatrace extension.
  2. From the Primary Side Bar, select (Dynatrace Debugger). The Dynatrace Debugger configuration panel opens—normally, on the left of your IDE.
  3. Select Log in to sign in to Dynatrace.
  4. Under Environment, select the environment you'd like to debug. The environment list opens above, displaying all Dynatrace environments where you have Live Debugging permissions. Select an environment from the list.
  5. Select Customize session filters to configure your debug session. Only instances with Live Debugging enabled appear. Select filters for the instances you'd like to debug, and select Set.

2. Add a Live Debugging breakpoint

You need to add a Live Debugging breakpoint in Visual Studio Code.

Right-click a code line number, and select Add Live Debugging Breakpoint. The breakpoint is applied to instances matching the filters and environment set in the previous steps.

3. View the data

When your breakpoints are triggered, the data streams into the Dynatrace snapshots panel in Visual Studio Code. Select Open the Snapshot Panel in the Dynatrace Debugger configuration panel, and then select a snapshot to see local variables, stack trace, process information, and tracing data.

4. Update debugging session configurationOptional

When required, you can access all session configuration options via the Primary Side Bar in Visual Studio Code. Select (Dynatrace Debugger) to open the Dynatrace Debugger configuration panel.

5. Manage breakpointsOptional

  • To add a breakpoint, right-click a code line number, and select Add Live Debugging Breakpoint.
  • To open the breakpoint context menu, right-click the breakpoint icon. The following options are displayed:
    • Breakpoint Status
    • Disable Breakpoint
    • Edit Breakpoint
    • Remove Breakpoint
  • To view the breakpoint list, select (Dynatrace Debugger) from the Primary Side Bar in your IDE, and expand the Live debugging breakpoints section. Select a breakpoint in this list to view its status and editor.

JetBrains plugin

Complete the steps below to configure and utilize the Observability for Developers by Dynatrace plugin in a JetBrains IDE.

1. Set up the plugin

  1. Install the Observability for Developers by Dynatrace plugin and restart your JetBrains IDE.
  2. From the Tool window bar (usually located on the left), select (Observability for Developers). The Observability for Developers panel opens—normally, at the bottom of the JetBrains IDE.
  3. Select Log in to sign in to Dynatrace.
  4. Expand the dropdown list in the panel header, and select the environment you want to debug. The environment list displays all Dynatrace environments where you have Live Debugging permissions.
  5. Select Filter Applications in the panel header to configure your debug session. Only instances with Live Debugging enabled are displayed. Select filters for the instances you want to debug, and select Set.

2. Add a Live Debugging breakpoint

You need to add a Live Debugging breakpoint in your JetBrains IDE.

Select the required code line number, and then select Live Debugging Breakpoint. The breakpoint is applied to instances matching the filters and environment set in the previous steps.

3. View the data

When your breakpoints are triggered, the data is streamed into the Observability for Developers panel. Select a snapshot to view local variables, stack trace, process information, and tracing data.

4. Update debugging session configurationOptional

When required, you can access all session configuration options via the header of the Observability for Developers panel in your JetBrains IDE. Open the panel and hover over the header to see the configuration options.

5. Manage breakpointsOptional

  • To add a breakpoint, select the required code line number, and then select Live Debugging Breakpoint from the list.
  • You can interact with your breakpoints directly from the code. Select the breakpoint icon to open the Breakpoint editor.
  • Select More in the Breakpoint editor to access advanced editing options and view all breakpoints in this session.
Related tags
Application ObservabilityLive DebuggerLive Debugger