Xdebug
Debug PHP backends from your AI agent with breakpoints, step execution, and live variable inspection instead of switching to an IDE alone.
Overview
io.github.kpanuragh/xdebug is an MCP server for the Ship phase that lets AI agents control PHP Xdebug breakpoints, stepping, and variable inspection.
What is this MCP server?
- stdio MCP server (npm package xdebug-mcp) bridging agents to PHP Xdebug
- Breakpoint set/clear and step-over/in/out style execution control
- Variable and stack inspection for live PHP request debugging
- Version 1.2.1 on MCP server schema 2025-10-17
- GitHub source at kpanuragh/xdebug-mcp for local setup reference
- Server version 1.2.1
- npm package identifier xdebug-mcp with stdio transport
- Published against MCP server schema 2025-10-17
Community signal: 23 GitHub stars.
What problem does it solve?
PHP bugs are painful to chase when your agent can only grep files and guess instead of stopping on a live breakpoint.
Who is it for?
Indie PHP developers who already run Xdebug locally or in Docker and want agent-assisted stepping during test and fix cycles.
Skip if: Teams on Node-only stacks, production-only servers without DBGp access, or builders who want zero local PHP/Xdebug configuration.
What do I get? / Deliverables
After you register the stdio server, your agent can drive Xdebug interactively so fixes are verified against real execution state before you ship.
- Agent-driven breakpoint and step commands against a running PHP debug session
- In-conversation variable and execution context inspection during fixes
- Faster reproduce-and-verify loops before production deploy
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Journey fit
Interactive debugging sits in the ship phase because it validates behavior, reproduces defects, and hardens code before release—not when you are still sketching product ideas. Testing is the canonical shelf for breakpoint-driven debugging workflows that mirror how solo builders verify fixes during QA and pre-launch hardening.
How it compares
Live Xdebug MCP integration, not a static code-review or lint-only agent skill.
Common Questions / FAQ
Who is io.github.kpanuragh/xdebug for?
Solo and small-team PHP builders who use MCP agents and need interactive debugging on APIs, CMS plugins, or monolith backends.
When should I use io.github.kpanuragh/xdebug?
Use it during ship-phase testing when you are reproducing defects, stepping through suspect code paths, or confirming a patch under Xdebug.
How do I add io.github.kpanuragh/xdebug to my agent?
Install the npm package xdebug-mcp (registryType npm, stdio transport), point your agent’s MCP config at that command, and ensure PHP Xdebug is listening for DBGp on the same machine or mapped container.