Node DevTools CLI
Command-line interface for non-blocking debugging of Node.js backend processes. Connects via the Inspector Protocol (Chrome DevTools Protocol) and provides tracepoints, logpoints, exceptionpoints, and watch expressions without pausing execution.
Installation
Same package as browser-devtools-mcp:
npm install -g browser-devtools-mcpQuick Start
# 1. Start daemon (if not running)
node-devtools-cli daemon start
# 2. Connect to a Node.js process (by PID)
node-devtools-cli --session-id my-debug debug connect --pid 12345
# 3. Set a tracepoint on server.js line 42
node-devtools-cli --session-id my-debug debug put-tracepoint \
--url-pattern "server.js" \
--line-number 42
# 4. Trigger the code path (e.g., make API request to your app)
# 5. Get captured snapshots
node-devtools-cli --session-id my-debug --json debug get-probe-snapshotsGlobal Options
| Option | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
--port <number> | Daemon server port | 2020 |
--session-id <string> | Session for Node connection persistence | auto |
--json | Output as JSON (recommended for AI) | false |
--quiet | Suppress log messages | false |
--verbose | Enable debug output | false |
--timeout <ms> | Operation timeout | 30000 |
AI Agent Recommended:
node-devtools-cli --json --quiet --session-id "debug-session" <command>Tool Domains
| Domain | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| debug | Connection, tracepoints, logpoints, exceptionpoints, watch, snapshots |
Connection Methods
Connect via debug connect with one of:
| Method | Option | Example |
|---|---|---|
| PID | --pid <number> | --pid 12345 |
| Process name | --process-name <pattern> | --process-name "server.js" |
| Docker container | --container-id or --container-name | --container-name my-api |
| Inspector port | --inspector-port <number> | --inspector-port 9229 |
| WebSocket URL | --ws-url <url> | --ws-url "ws://127.0.0.1:9229/abc" |
If the process doesn't have --inspect active, the CLI activates it via SIGUSR1 (no code changes). For Docker: expose port 9229 and use --inspect=0.0.0.0:9229.
CLI Management Commands
Daemon
node-devtools-cli daemon status
node-devtools-cli daemon start
node-devtools-cli daemon stop
node-devtools-cli daemon restart
node-devtools-cli daemon infoSession
node-devtools-cli session list
node-devtools-cli session info <session-id>
node-devtools-cli session delete <session-id>Tools
node-devtools-cli tools list
node-devtools-cli tools search <query>
node-devtools-cli tools info <tool-name>Config & Updates
node-devtools-cli config
node-devtools-cli update --checkExamples
Connect by PID
SESSION="--session-id api-debug"
# Connect
node-devtools-cli $SESSION debug connect --pid $(pgrep -f "node server.js")
# Set tracepoint on route handler
node-devtools-cli $SESSION debug put-tracepoint \
--url-pattern "routes/api.ts" \
--line-number 25
# Trigger: curl http://localhost:3000/api/users
# Get snapshots
node-devtools-cli $SESSION --json debug get-probe-snapshotsConnect by Process Name
node-devtools-cli debug connect --process-name "api"Docker Container
# App runs in container with -p 9229:9229
node-devtools-cli debug connect \
--container-name my-node-app \
--host host.docker.internal \
--inspector-port 9229Exception Catching
SESSION="--session-id exc-debug"
node-devtools-cli $SESSION debug connect --pid 12345
node-devtools-cli $SESSION debug put-exceptionpoint --state uncaught
# Trigger error in app
# Check snapshots
node-devtools-cli $SESSION --json debug get-probe-snapshots --types exceptionpointInteractive Mode
node-devtools-cli interactive| Command | Description |
|---|---|
help | Show commands |
exit, quit | Exit |
debug connect | Connect to process |
debug status | Connection status |
<domain> <tool> | Execute tool |
Shell Completions
eval "$(node-devtools-cli completion bash)"
eval "$(node-devtools-cli completion zsh)"