jdb-debugger

name	jdb-debugger
description	Debug Java applications in real time using JDB (Java Debugger CLI). Attach to running JVMs or launch new ones under JDB, set breakpoints, step through code, inspect variables, analyze threads, and diagnose exceptions. Use when debugging Java programs, investigating runtime behavior, or diagnosing production issues on JVMs with JDWP enabled. Use when this capability is needed.
metadata	{"author":"brunoborges"}

Java Debugger (JDB) Skill

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

Critical Rules for Agents

1. 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.
2. ALWAYS use the skill scripts in scripts/. Never write custom JDB wrapper scripts, FIFO-based launchers, or shell scripts to drive JDB.
3. Compile first, then debug. Ensure classes are compiled before launching JDB.
4. 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

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Source: brunoborges/jdb-agentic-debugger — distributed by TomeVault.