Java Debugger (JDB) Skill

Debug Java applications interactively using the JDK's built-in command-line debugger.

Critical Rules for Agents

NEVER create files in the workspace (no bp.txt, cmds.txt, wrapper scripts, etc.). Use the inline CLI flags (--bp, --cmd, --auto-inspect, --timeout) provided by the skill scripts.
ALWAYS use the skill scripts in scripts/. Never write custom JDB wrapper scripts, FIFO-based launchers, or shell scripts to drive JDB.
Compile first, then debug. Ensure classes are compiled before launching JDB.
On Windows, invoke scripts via WSL: wsl bash scripts/<script>.sh

Platform Support

Windows (WSL Required)

The scripts in this skill are Bash scripts. On Windows, invoke them via WSL:

wsl bash scripts/jdb-launch.sh com.example.MyApp --sourcepath src/main/java

If your compiled classes are on the Windows filesystem, WSL accesses them via /mnt/c/:

wsl bash scripts/jdb-launch.sh com.example.MyApp --classpath /mnt/c/Users/you/project/out

Ensure JDK is installed in WSL:

# Ubuntu/Debian WSL
sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y default-jdk

# Verify
which jdb && jdb -version

Linux / macOS

Scripts run natively. Ensure JDK is installed and jdb is on PATH:

export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH

Decision Tree

User wants to debug Java app →
  ├─ App is already running with JDWP agent?
  │   ├─ Yes → Attach: scripts/jdb-attach.sh --port <port>
  │   └─ No  → Can you restart with JDWP?
  │       ├─ Yes → Launch with: scripts/jdb-launch.sh <mainclass> [args]
  │       └─ No  → Suggest adding JDWP agent to JVM flags (see below)
  │
  ├─ What does the user need?
  │   ├─ Set breakpoints & step through code → Interactive JDB session
  │   ├─ Collect thread dumps / diagnostics → scripts/jdb-diagnostics.sh
  │   └─ Catch a specific exception → Use `catch` command in JDB
  │
  └─ Done debugging → Detach cleanly with `quit` or Ctrl+C

Quick Start

Option 1: Launch a new JVM under JDB

bash scripts/jdb-launch.sh com.example.MyApp --sourcepath src/main/java

Option 2: Attach to a running JVM

First, ensure the target JVM was started with the JDWP agent:

java -agentlib:jdwp=transport=dt_socket,server=y,suspend=n,address=*:5005 -jar myapp.jar

Then attach:

bash scripts/jdb-attach.sh --host localhost --port 5005

Option 3: Quick diagnostics (thread dump + deadlock detection)

bash scripts/jdb-diagnostics.sh --port 5005

Enabling JDWP on a Running Application

If the target JVM was not started with JDWP, suggest the user restart with:

# For direct Java launch
java -agentlib:jdwp=transport=dt_socket,server=y,suspend=n,address=*:5005 -cp myapp.jar com.example.Main

# For Maven Spring Boot
mvn spring-boot:run -Dspring-boot.run.jvmArguments="-agentlib:jdwp=transport=dt_socket,server=y,suspend=n,address=*:5005"

# For Gradle
./gradlew bootRun --jvmArgs="-agentlib:jdwp=transport=dt_socket,server=y,suspend=n,address=*:5005"

# As environment variable
export JAVA_TOOL_OPTIONS="-agentlib:jdwp=transport=dt_socket,server=y,suspend=n,address=*:5005"

Interactive JDB Session Guide

Once inside a JDB session (launched or attached), use these commands interactively:

Setting Breakpoints

stop at com.example.MyClass:42          # Break at line 42
stop in com.example.MyClass.myMethod    # Break at method entry
stop in com.example.MyClass.<init>      # Break at constructor
stop in com.example.MyClass.<clinit>    # Break at static initializer

For overloaded methods, specify parameter types:

stop in com.example.MyClass.process(int,java.lang.String)

Running and Stepping

run                  # Start the application (if launched, not attached)
cont                 # Continue execution after hitting a breakpoint
step                 # Step into the next line (enters method calls)
next                 # Step over to the next line (skips method internals)
step up              # Run until the current method returns

Inspecting State

locals               # Show all local variables in the current frame
print myVariable     # Print value of a variable or expression
print myObj.getX()   # Evaluate a method call
dump myObject        # Show all fields of an object
eval 2 + 2           # Evaluate an arbitrary expression

Navigating the Call Stack

where                # Show the current thread's call stack
where all            # Show call stacks for all threads
up                   # Move up one frame in the stack
down                 # Move down one frame in the stack
up 3                 # Move up 3 frames

Thread Management

threads              # List all threads and their states
thread main          # Switch to the "main" thread
thread 0x1a3         # Switch to thread by ID
suspend 0x1a3        # Suspend a specific thread
resume 0x1a3         # Resume a specific thread

Exception Handling

catch java.lang.NullPointerException              # Break on NPE
catch java.lang.Exception                          # Break on any Exception
catch all                                          # Break on all throwables
ignore java.lang.NullPointerException              # Stop catching NPE

Inspecting Classes and Methods

classes                         # List all loaded classes
class com.example.MyClass       # Show details of a class
methods com.example.MyClass     # List all methods of a class
fields com.example.MyClass      # List all fields of a class

Managing Breakpoints

clear                                    # List all breakpoints
clear com.example.MyClass:42             # Remove breakpoint at line 42
clear com.example.MyClass.myMethod       # Remove method breakpoint

Source Code

list                  # List source around current line
list 50               # List source around line 50
use /path/to/sources  # Set source path
sourcepath            # Show current source path
classpath             # Show current classpath

Exiting

quit                  # Exit JDB (detaches from JVM)
exit                  # Same as quit

Debugging Workflow Patterns

Pattern 1: Investigate a NullPointerException (automated batch mode)

Use inline --bp flags and --auto-inspect — no files needed:

bash scripts/jdb-breakpoints.sh \
  --mainclass com.example.MyClass \
  --bp "catch java.lang.NullPointerException" \
  --bp "stop at com.example.MyClass:42" \
  --bp "stop in com.example.MyClass.processMessage" \
  --auto-inspect 20

The --auto-inspect 20 flag automatically generates run + 20 cycles of where, locals, cont + quit. The output contains the full JDB session including stack traces, local variables, and exception details — ready for analysis.

For applications that may hang or deadlock, add --timeout <seconds> to kill the JDB session after the specified time:

bash scripts/jdb-breakpoints.sh \
  --mainclass com.example.MyClass \
  --bp "catch java.lang.NullPointerException" \
  --auto-inspect 10 --timeout 60

For custom commands, use --cmd flags instead of --auto-inspect:

bash scripts/jdb-breakpoints.sh \
  --mainclass com.example.MyClass \
  --bp "catch java.lang.NullPointerException" \
  --cmd "run" --cmd "where" --cmd "locals" --cmd "print myVar" --cmd "cont" \
  --cmd "where" --cmd "locals" --cmd "cont" --cmd "quit"

Pattern 2: Watch a method's behavior

# 1. Set breakpoint at method entry
stop in com.example.Service.processOrder

# 2. Continue until breakpoint is hit
cont

# 3. Inspect arguments and step through
locals
next
print result
next
print result

Pattern 3: Diagnose a deadlock

# 1. List all threads
threads

# 2. Check each blocked thread's stack
where all

# 3. Look for threads in MONITOR state holding different locks
thread <blocked-thread-id>
where

Pattern 4: Inspect values at a specific line

# 1. Set breakpoint
stop at com.example.DataProcessor:128

# 2. Continue to breakpoint
cont

# 3. Inspect everything
locals
print config.getTimeout()
dump dataMap

Important Notes

NEVER create files in the workspace. Use inline --bp, --cmd, --auto-inspect, and --timeout flags. The scripts handle all temp files internally in /tmp/ and clean up after themselves.
Use --timeout for potentially hanging apps. Apps that deadlock or loop indefinitely will block JDB forever. Add --timeout 60 (or appropriate value) so the session is automatically killed. The output will include a TIMEOUT: marker when triggered.
Compile with -g for full debug info. Without it, locals will show "Local variable information not available". Always compile with: javac -g -d out src/main/java/com/example/MyClass.java
JDB is line-oriented: Send one command at a time and read the output before the next command.
Source path: Use -sourcepath or use command so list can show source code.
Classpath: Ensure compiled classes are accessible for expression evaluation.
Thread context: Many commands operate on the "current thread". Use thread to switch.
Suspend mode: When attaching with suspend=y, the JVM pauses until JDB connects. Use suspend=n for non-blocking attachment.
Expression evaluation: print and eval can call methods on live objects — use with caution in production.
Batch timing: The batch mode uses configurable delays. Override via env vars: JDB_BP_DELAY (default: 2s), JDB_RUN_DELAY (3s), JDB_CMD_DELAY (0.5s), JDB_CONT_DELAY (1s).

Reference Files

JDB Command Reference - Complete alphabetical command reference
JDWP Options Reference - All JDWP agent configuration options

jdb-debugger