MCP server · Developer tools

Claude Debugs For You MCP server

Lets your AI debug your code step by step using breakpoints and expression checks inside VS Code.

Developer tools Coding For it and development Developer Tools

This is a helper for VS Code that lets your AI assistant actually debug your code, not just guess what is wrong. It works with Claude Desktop or tools built into VS Code like Continue and Cursor. It is handy if you write code and want your AI to find bugs by pausing the program and looking at values, the way a person would.

What is an MCP server? The 30-second version

On its own, your AI can only chat with you. An MCP server is a small helper program that gives your AI a new skill or a connection to an app. This one connects your AI to the debugger inside VS Code, so it can set breakpoints, run your code, and check what the variables are at each step. You ask in plain words, and the AI uses this helper to do the actual debugging work.

What this MCP server does

You install a VS Code extension, and it quietly runs a small helper server in the background. When you ask your AI to debug something, the AI talks to that helper. The helper tells VS Code to start your program, pause at breakpoints, and read the values of expressions. The AI looks at those values, figures out where things go wrong, and tells you what it found, often with a suggested fix.

Flow diagram: you ask your AI “Debug my function step by step and check values”, on your own computer the Claude Debugs For You MCP server works with VS Code on your computer, and you get back where it breaks and why.

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What you can do with it

Run your program under the debugger and pause at breakpoints
Read the value of variables and expressions while paused
Step through code line by line to find where it breaks
Use conditional breakpoints that only stop when a condition is true
Suggest a fix based on what it saw in the debugger
Debug code in many languages, as long as VS Code can debug it

Try asking your AI

“My function longest_substring_with_k_distinct is giving the wrong answer. Can you debug it step by step using breakpoints and check the values as you go?”
“Please set a breakpoint inside the loop and tell me what the variable count is on each pass.”
“Run the program under the debugger and find where it crashes. Do not guess, actually debug it.”
“Debug this file and show me the values of the inputs right before the error happens.”

What it gives back to you

You get back a written explanation of what the AI found while stepping through your code, including the values it saw at each breakpoint. It often points to the exact line where things go wrong and suggests a change you can apply. In some setups, like Continue, you can click to apply the suggested fix. The chat stays in your AI client, and the actual debugging happens in VS Code.

Before you start

What you need

VS Code installed
The Claude Debugs For You extension installed from the VS Code Marketplace or a .vsix file
An MCP client like Claude Desktop, Continue, or Cursor
A project with a .vscode/launch.json file set up for debugging

Good to know

It can start and pause your program and read your code and variables, so only use it on projects you are comfortable letting your AI inspect.

Install it with your AI

Add Claude Debugs For You MCP server to your AI, no technical skills needed

You don't install anything by hand. You copy one prompt, paste it into an AI that can work on your computer, and it checks, installs and connects the server for you, asking you when it needs something.

Sign in to get the install prompt

Members get a ready-made prompt that lets the Claude desktop app check Claude Debugs For You MCP server, install it and connect it for them, step by step. You don't need any technical skills: you copy, paste and answer a few questions. Your connected AI can also find and install any of the 4,066 MCP servers here for you.