> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.create-magento-app.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.create-magento-app.com/usage-guide/enabling-xdebug.md).

# Enabling XDebug

## Debugging preparations

### The browser

You need to install [XDebug Helper by JetBrains extension](https://github.com/JetBrains/xdebug-extension) for [Chrome](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/xdebug-helper-by-jetbrain/aoelhdemabeimdhedkidlnbkfhnhgnhm) to activate the Debugging session in PHPStorm. Instructions are the same for [Firefox](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/addon/xdebug-helper-by-jetbrains/).

<figure><img src="/files/by5KRF7swabH5MrQjGZ3" alt=""><figcaption><p>Install extension</p></figcaption></figure>

After installation, open extension **options** and select **Debug Trigger** value as **PHPStorm**.

<figure><img src="/files/bwPEBXtaUO2ToSo2EbAh" alt=""><figcaption><p>Set Debug Trigger value to PHPSTORM</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
This extension sets a cookie in your browser's requests: `XDEBUG_SESSION=PHPSTORM`. This cookie enables debugging in your browser.

Sometimes, you may want to enable debugging outside of the browser (for example, to debug individual GraphQL requests). You can also set `XDEBUG_SESSION=PHPSTORM` manually in the `Cookie` header. Most HTTP and GraphQL clients support this option.
{% endhint %}

Now, when you open your CMA webpage, you need to enable a debug session by pressing **Debug** in the extensions menu.

<figure><img src="/files/fasSaveK03sbTMaDswPD" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### The editor

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="PHPStorm" %}
[Go to settings and activate Docker connection](https://www.jetbrains.com/help/phpstorm/docker.html#install_docker). This needs to be done **once**.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="VSCode" %}
Install [PHP Debug](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=felixfbecker.php-debug) extension.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

## Debugging

### First step: Run Create Magento App

Use [start](/getting-started/available-commands/start.md) command.

```bash
yarn start # for Yarn
npm run start  # for NPM
```

Wait for the command to finish.

### Second step: Start the debugger

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="PHPStorm" %}
Choose the **create-magento-app** debug configuration in the top right corner of PHPStorm's window.

![](/files/-MP9paYlLVvTnpiCg1TC)

Click on **Start debugging** or press **Shift+F9**, put test breakpoint in **$project\_root/pub/index.php** file, reload the page and that is all!

Happy debugging!
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="VSCode" %}
Open debugging tab in VSCode (**Ctrl + Shift + D)** and select **Listen for Xdebug** configuration.

![](/files/-MlKyJn6mBiUVuAdbliM)

Click on **Start debugging** (or press **F5)**, put the test breakpoint in **$project\_root/pub/index.php** file, reload the page and that is all!

Happy debugging!
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}