How To Attach Debugger To Python Script Called From Terminal In Visual Studio Code

The aim of this page📝 is to note how a debugger can be attached to the process in VSCode and Python when you call a script from a shell. Note that you need a running Python program. This is a problem for simple scripts — my workaround is to add a manual pause within the runtime and attach a debugger only once the script is already running (and is paused)

I use this when I am quickly testing scripts that accept arguments directly from the command line.

1. STEPS🔗🔗🔗🔗

• script.py: Add a pause in your script in the beginning by adding

input("Press Enter to continue...:")

• script.py: Set a breakpoint somewhere in the following sections of the script
• TERMINAL: call python script.py and do not press Enter to continue. You need a running Python process to attach the debugger to.
• VSCODE: Select View → Run → Add Configuration
• VSCODE: In Debugger select the following Python configuration Python: Attach using Process ID
• VSCODE: From the dropdown, select the python the process containing the name of script.py
• Verify that it connects (e.g. no error, breakpoints work)
• TERMINAL: Press Enter to continue and the debugger should stop at the breakpoint.

2. LINKS🔗🔗🔗🔗

• sleep — Correct way to pause a Python program — Stack Overflow