How to debug node.js application with Visual Studio 2013 and Node Tools NTVS

Question

I have moved an existing node.js + express project to VS because I prefer the IDE over JetBrains for now (used VS for years, only peeked into Webstorm).

I used NTVS

Answer 1

Not so much knowledge on expressjs but with a recent release of NTVS 1.0 Alpha, I did find it supports remote debugging which can be also used to debug nodejs app running locally - anyway haven't tried if it works with nodejs app + expressjs but it should.

I followed the step in this video https://youtu.be/-ir9ZB8lUg4 which is

1. Run your nodejs with node.exe RemoteDebug.js <your_javascript_file>.
   RemoteDebug.js has come when you install NTVS.
2. In Visual Studio, select Debug > Attach to Process
3. Select Node.js remote debugging for Transport
4. Enter localhost:5859 for Qualifier
5. Click Attach

This will put Visual Studio in debugging mode which you can set a breakpoint, do step-in/step-out, very same experience when you use VS to debug .NET app.

Answer 2

Its pretty straight forward with NTVS, you can download required version for your windows from github here

Once you install NTVS, NodeJS project templates will be added

Now, Goto File->New project -> Basic NodeJS Express 3 application (it will be available in javascript project templates)

Now just goto debug and select Start Debugging, add breakpoints where ever required and you can start debugging

Answer 3

For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds....

(and yes, I did spend a long time searching and trying before posting here..)

Kind of nice to debug node.js server with VS..

hope this helps someone

Edit: The arguments to node.exe can be hard to read in the image. It must be

 --debug=<portno>

that is with two dashes (and not just one) to specify the debug port.