IntelliJ IDEA 2021.1 Help

Run/Debug Configuration: WebSphere Server

Run | Edit Configurations | Icons general add | WebSphere Server | Local or Remote

WebSphere Server run/debug configurations let you deploy and debug your applications on WebSphere Application Server (version 6.1 or later) and the WebSphere Application Server Liberty profile. (The WebSphere Integration plugin must be enabled.)

When it's necessary to distinguish between the features for the Liberty profile and WebSphere Application Server, the first of the two is referred to as WAS LP, while the second - simply as WAS.

See also, Application server run configurations.

Server tab for a local configuration: WAS LP

ItemDescription
Application serverSelect the server configuration to be used.

Click Configure to create a new server configuration or edit an existing one. (The Application Servers dialog will open.)

After launchSelect this checkbox to start a web browser after starting the server and deploying the artifacts.

Select the browser from the list. Click the Browse button Shift+Enter to configure your web browsers.

With JavaScript debuggerIf this checkbox is selected, the web browser is started with the JavaScript debugger enabled.

Note that JavaScript debugging is available only for Firefox and Google Chrome. When you debug your JavaScript in Firefox for the first time, the JetBrains Firefox extension is installed.

The field underneath After launchSpecify the URL the browser should go to when started. In most typical cases, this URL corresponds to the root of your Web application or its starting page.
VM optionsIf necessary, specify the command-line options to be passed to the server JVM at the server start.

If you need more room to type, click Icons general expand component next to the field to open the VM Options dialog where the text entry area is larger.

When specifying JVM options, follow these rules:

  • Use spaces to separate individual options, for example, -client -ea -Xmx1024m.

  • If an option includes spaces, enclose the spaces or the argument that contains spaces in double quotes, for example, some" "arg or "some arg".

  • If an option includes double quotes (as part of the argument), escape the double quotes using backslashes, for example, -Dmy.prop=\"quoted_value\".

  • You can pass environment variable values to custom Java properties. For example, if you define a variable MY_ENV_VAR, you can pass it to the foo property as follows:

    -Dfoo=${MY_ENV_VAR}

On 'Update' action Select the necessary option for the Update application function (Artwork studio icons layout editor toolbar refresh or Ctrl+F10 in the Run or Debug tool window).

The update options are different for exploded and packed artifacts.

For exploded artifacts, the available options are:

  • Update resources. All changed resources are updated (HTML, JSP, JavaScript, CSS and image files).

  • Update classes and resources. Changed resources are updated; changed Java classes (EJBs, servlets, etc.) are recompiled.

    In the debug mode, the updated classes are hot-swapped. In the run mode, IntelliJ IDEA just updates the changed classes in the output folder. Whether such classes are actually reloaded in the running application, depends on the capabilities of the runtime being used.

  • Redeploy. The application artifact is rebuilt and redeployed.

  • Restart server. The server is restarted. The application artifact is rebuilt and redeployed.

For packed artifacts, the available options are:

  • Hot swap classes. Changed classes are recompiled and reloaded at runtime. This option works only in the debug mode.

  • Redeploy. The application artifact is rebuilt and redeployed.

  • Restart server. The server is restarted. The application artifact is rebuilt and redeployed.

Show dialogSelect this checkbox if you want to see the Update dialog every time you use the Update application function.

The Update dialog is used to select the Update option prior to actually updating the application.

On frame deactivationSpecify what IntelliJ IDEA should do when you switch from the IDE to a different application (for example, a web browser). (Frame deactivation means switching to a different application.)

The options other than Do nothing have the same meanings as in the case of the Update action.

ServerSelect the name of the target server.

If the list is empty, create a server: in your Liberty profile installation folder, from the wlp/bin directory, run the following command:

server create <server-name>

If the message Error: JMX administration should be enabled is shown in the lower part of the dialog, click Fix.

As a result, the following is added into the configuration file wlp/usr/servers/<server-name>/server.xml:

  • <feature>localConnector-1.0</feature> (within <featureManager>)

  • <applicationMonitor updateTrigger="mbean"/>

Server tab for a local configuration: WAS

ItemDescription
Application serverSelect the server configuration to be used.

Click Configure to create a new server configuration or edit an existing one. (The Application Servers dialog will open.)

After launchSelect this checkbox to start a web browser after starting the server and deploying the artifacts.

Select the browser from the list. Click the Browse button Shift+Enter to configure your web browsers.

With JavaScript debuggerIf this checkbox is selected, the web browser is started with the JavaScript debugger enabled.

Note that JavaScript debugging is available only for Firefox and Google Chrome. When you debug your JavaScript in Firefox for the first time, the JetBrains Firefox extension is installed.

The field underneath After launchSpecify the URL the browser should go to when started. In most typical cases, this URL corresponds to the root of your Web application or its starting page.
VM optionsIf necessary, specify the command-line options to be passed to the server JVM at the server start.

If you need more room to type, click Icons general expand component next to the field to open the VM Options dialog where the text entry area is larger.

When specifying JVM options, follow these rules:

  • Use spaces to separate individual options, for example, -client -ea -Xmx1024m.

  • If an option includes spaces, enclose the spaces or the argument that contains spaces in double quotes, for example, some" "arg or "some arg".

  • If an option includes double quotes (as part of the argument), escape the double quotes using backslashes, for example, -Dmy.prop=\"quoted_value\".

  • You can pass environment variable values to custom Java properties. For example, if you define a variable MY_ENV_VAR, you can pass it to the foo property as follows:

    -Dfoo=${MY_ENV_VAR}

On 'Update' action Select the necessary option for the Update application function (Artwork studio icons layout editor toolbar refresh or Ctrl+F10 in the Run or Debug tool window).

The update options are different for exploded and packed artifacts.

For exploded artifacts, the available options are:

  • Update resources. All changed resources are updated (HTML, JSP, JavaScript, CSS and image files).

  • Update classes and resources. Changed resources are updated; changed Java classes (EJBs, servlets, etc.) are recompiled.

    In the debug mode, the updated classes are hot-swapped. In the run mode, IntelliJ IDEA just updates the changed classes in the output folder. Whether such classes are actually reloaded in the running application, depends on the capabilities of the runtime being used.

  • Redeploy. The application artifact is rebuilt and redeployed.

  • Restart server. The server is restarted. The application artifact is rebuilt and redeployed.

For packed artifacts, the available options are:

  • Hot swap classes. Changed classes are recompiled and reloaded at runtime. This option works only in the debug mode.

  • Redeploy. The application artifact is rebuilt and redeployed.

  • Restart server. The server is restarted. The application artifact is rebuilt and redeployed.

Show dialogSelect this checkbox if you want to see the Update dialog every time you use the Update application function.

The Update dialog is used to select the Update option prior to actually updating the application.

On frame deactivationSpecify what IntelliJ IDEA should do when you switch from the IDE to a different application (for example, a web browser). (Frame deactivation means switching to a different application.)

The options other than Do nothing have the same meanings as in the case of the Update action.

Profile pathSelect the server profile from the list. Alternatively, click the Browse button and select the server profile directory in the dialog that opens.
CellSpecify the target server cell.
NodeSpecify the target server node.
ServerSpecify the target server.
UsernameSpecify the name of the user on whose behalf IntelliJ IDEA will connect to the server.
PasswordThe password of the user specified in the Username field.

Server tab for a remote configuration: WAS LP

ItemDescription
Application serverSelect the server configuration to be used. Note that this is a local server configuration. (When working with a remote server, the same server version must be available locally.)

Click Configure to create a new server configuration or edit an existing one. (The Application Servers dialog will open.)

After launchSelect this checkbox to start a web browser after connecting to the server and deploying the artifacts.

Select the browser from the list. Click the Browse button Shift+Enter to configure your web browsers.

With JavaScript debuggerIf this checkbox is selected, the web browser is started with the JavaScript debugger enabled.

Note that JavaScript debugging is available only for Firefox and Google Chrome. When you debug your JavaScript in Firefox for the first time, the JetBrains Firefox extension is installed.

The field underneath After launchSpecify the URL the browser should go to when started. In most typical cases, this URL corresponds to the root of your Web application or its starting page.
On 'Update' action Select the necessary option for the Update application function (Artwork studio icons layout editor toolbar refresh or Ctrl+F10 in the Run or Debug tool window).

The options are:

  • Hot swap classes. Changed classes are recompiled and reloaded at runtime. This option works only in the debug mode.

  • Redeploy. The application artifact is rebuilt and redeployed.

Show dialogSelect this checkbox if you want to see the Update dialog every time you use the Update application function.

The Update dialog is used to select the Update option prior to actually updating the application.

On frame deactivationSpecify what IntelliJ IDEA should do when you switch from the IDE to a different application (for example, a web browser). (Frame deactivation means switching to a different application.)

The options other than Do nothing have the same meanings as in the case of the Update action.

ServerSpecify the name of the target server.
Test ConnectionClick this button to test the connection with the server to make sure that the current settings are correct.
Host The fully qualified domain name or the IP address of the server host.
Port The server HTTP port.

Server tab for a remote configuration: WAS

ItemDescription
Application serverSelect the server configuration to be used. Note that this is a local server configuration. (When working with a remote server, the same server version must be available locally.)

Click Configure to create a new server configuration or edit an existing one. (The Application Servers dialog will open.)

After launchSelect this checkbox to start a web browser after connecting to the server and deploying the artifacts.

Select the browser from the list. Click the Browse button Shift+Enter to configure your web browsers.

With JavaScript debuggerIf this checkbox is selected, the web browser is started with the JavaScript debugger enabled.

Note that JavaScript debugging is available only for Firefox and Google Chrome. When you debug your JavaScript in Firefox for the first time, the JetBrains Firefox extension is installed.

The field underneath After launchSpecify the URL the browser should go to when started. In most typical cases, this URL corresponds to the root of your Web application or its starting page.
On 'Update' action Select the necessary option for the Update application function (Artwork studio icons layout editor toolbar refresh or Ctrl+F10 in the Run or Debug tool window).

The options are:

  • Hot swap classes. Changed classes are recompiled and reloaded at runtime. This option works only in the debug mode.

  • Redeploy. The application artifact is rebuilt and redeployed.

Show dialogSelect this checkbox if you want to see the Update dialog every time you use the Update application function.

The Update dialog is used to select the Update option prior to actually updating the application.

On frame deactivationSpecify what IntelliJ IDEA should do when you switch from the IDE to a different application (for example, a web browser). (Frame deactivation means switching to a different application.)

The options other than Do nothing have the same meanings as in the case of the Update action.

CellSpecify the target server cell.
NodeSpecify the target server node.
ServerSpecify the target server.
UsernameSpecify the name of the user on whose behalf IntelliJ IDEA will connect to the server.
PasswordThe password of the user specified in the Username field.
SOAP PortSpecify the server SOAP port.
Test ConnectionClick this button to test the connection with the server to make sure that the current settings are correct.
Use SSL connectionSelect this checkbox to connect to the server using SSL. Specify the associated settings:
  • Trust store. Specify the path to the truststore file. You can click the Browse button and select the necessary file in the dialog that opens.

  • Trust store password. Specify the password for accessing the truststore.

  • Key store. Specify the path to the keystore file. You can click the Browse button and select the necessary file in the dialog that opens.

  • Key store password. Specify the password for accessing the keystore.

Remote connection settingsThe settings for accessing deployed applications.
Host The fully qualified domain name or the IP address of the server host.
Port The server HTTP port.

Deployment tab

Use this tab to specify which artifacts or external resources should be deployed onto the server. An external resource means a deployable Web component such as a .war file which is not represented by a project artifact. Usually, such components are stored outside of the project scope.

To add items to the deployment list (shown under Deploy at the server startup ), click the Add button The Add button.

Note that deployment to WAS LP that runs on a different computer is not supported.

ItemDescription
The Add button or Alt+Insert

Add an artifact or an external resource to the list.

The Remove button or Alt+DeleteRemove the selected artifacts and external resources from the list.
Edit Artifact or F4Configure the selected artifact. The Artifacts page of the Project Structure dialog will open.
Use custom context rootIf you want to assign a particular context root to an artifact or external resource, select the artifact or the resource, select the checkbox, and specify the desired context root in the field below the checkbox.

Logs tab

Use this tab to specify which log files generated while running or debugging should be displayed in the console, that is, on the dedicated tabs of the Run or Debug tool window.

ItemDescription
Is ActiveSelect checkboxes in this column to have the log entries displayed in the corresponding tabs in the Run tool window or Debug tool window.
Log File Entry

The read-only fields in this column list the log files to show. The list can contain:

  • Full paths to specific files.

  • Ant patterns that define the range of files to be displayed.

  • Aliases to substitute for full paths or patterns. These aliases are also displayed in the headers of the tabs where the corresponding log files are shown.

    If a log entry pattern defines more than one file, the tab header shows the name of the file instead of the log entry alias.

Skip ContentSelect this checkbox to have the previous content of the selected log skipped.
Save console output to fileSelect this checkbox to save the console output to the specified location. Type the path manually, or click the browse button and point to the desired location in the dialog that opens.
Show console when a message is printed to standard output streamSelect this checkbox to activate the output console and bring it forward if an associated process writes to Standard.out.
Show console when a message is printed to standard error streamSelect this checkbox to activate the output console and bring it forward if an associated process writes to Standard.err.
the Add buttonClick this button to open the Edit Log Files Aliases dialog where you can select a new log entry and specify an alias for it.
the Edit buttonClick this button to edit the properties of the selected log file entry in the Edit Log Files Aliases dialog.
the Delete buttonClick this button to remove the selected log entry from the list.

Code Coverage tab

Use this tab to configure code coverage monitoring options.

Note that this tab is not available for remote servers.

ItemDescription
Choose code coverage runnerSelect the desired code coverage runner.
SamplingSelect this option to measure code coverage with minimal slow-down.
TracingSelect this option to collect accurate branch coverage. This mode is available for the IntelliJ IDEA code coverage runner only.
Track per test coverageSelect this checkbox to detect lines covered by one test and all tests covering line.
Packages and classes to record code coverage data

If necessary, specify the classes and packages to be measured.

Use the Add Class button or the Add Package button to add classes or packages to the list.

To remove the classes or packages from the list, select the corresponding list items and click the Remove button.

Enable coverage in test folders.Select this checkbox to include the test source folders in code coverage analysis.

Startup/Connection tab for a local configuration

ItemDescription
Icons toolwindows tool window run  Run /
Icons actions start debugger  Debug /
Icons general run with coverage  Coverage
Use to switch between the settings for the run, debug and code coverage modes.
Startup script Specify the script to be used to start the server.

Use default:

  • If this checkbox is selected, the default script is used.

    Icons general expand component  in this case opens the Default Startup Script dialog which shows the contents of the Startup script field (readonly).

  • Clear this checkbox to change the parameters passed to the script or to specify a different script:
    • To specify the script, click the Browse button and select the desired script in the dialog that opens.

    • To specify the parameters, click Icons general expand component and specify the script parameters and VM options in the Configure VM and Program Parameters dialog.

      When specifying the parameters and options, follow these rules:

      • Use spaces to separate individual parameters and options, for example, -client -ea -Xmx1024m.

      • If a parameter or an option includes spaces, enclose the spaces or the argument that contains the spaces in double quotes, for example, some" "arg or "some arg".

      • If a parameter or an option includes double quotes (e.g. as part of the argument), escape the double quotes by means of the backslashes, for example, -Dmy.prop=\"quoted_value\".

Shutdown script Specify the script to be used to stop the server.

Use default:

  • If this checkbox is selected, the default script is used.

    Icons general expand component  in this case opens the Default Shutdown Script dialog which shows the contents of the Shutdown script field (readonly).

  • Clear this checkbox to change the parameters passed to the script or to specify a different script:
    • To specify the script, click the Browse button and select the desired script in the dialog that opens.

    • To specify the parameters, click Icons general expand component and specify the script parameters and VM options in the Configure VM and Program Parameters dialog.

      When specifying the parameters and options, follow these rules:

      • Use spaces to separate individual parameters and options, for example, -client -ea -Xmx1024m.

      • If a parameter or an option includes spaces, enclose the spaces or the argument that contains the spaces in double quotes, for example, some" "arg or "some arg".

      • If a parameter or an option includes double quotes (e.g. as part of the argument), escape the double quotes by means of the backslashes, for example, -Dmy.prop=\"quoted_value\".

Pass environment variablesTo pass specific variables to the server environment, select this checkbox and specify the variables:
  • To add a variable, click Icons general add and specify the variable name and value in the Name and Value fields respectively.

  • To remove a variable from the list, select the variable and click Icons general remove.

PortUse this field to change the debugger port.
Debugger SettingsClick this button to edit the debugger options on the Debugger page of the Settings dialog.

Startup/Connection tab for a remote configuration

This tab shows command-line options for starting the server JVM in the run and debug modes.

ItemDescription
Icons toolwindows tool window run  Run /
Icons actions start debugger  Debug
Use to switch between the settings for the run and debug modes. The settings are shown in the area under To run/debug...
To run/debug remote server JVM...The command-line options for starting the server JVM. These are shown just for copying elsewhere.
Transport (and all that follows)The GUI for generating the remote debug command-line options shown in the area under To run/debug...

Common

When you edit a run configuration (but not a run configuration template), you can specify the following options:

Item

Description

Name

Specify a name for the run/debug configuration to quickly identify it when editing or running the configuration, for example, from the Run popup Alt+Shift+F10.

Allow parallel run

Select to allow running multiple instances of this run configuration in parallel.

By default, it is disabled, and when you start this configuration while another instance is still running, IntelliJ IDEA suggests to stop the running instance and start another one. This is helpful when a run/debug configuration consumes a lot of resources and there is no good reason to run multiple instances.

Store as project file

Save the file with the run configuration settings to share it with other team members. The default location is .idea/runConfigurations. However, if you do not want to share the .idea directory, you can save the configuration to any other directory within the project.

By default, it is disabled, and IntelliJ IDEA stores run configuration settings in .idea/workspace.xml.

Toolbar

The tree view of run/debug configurations has a toolbar that helps you manage configurations available in your project as well as adjust default configurations templates.

ItemShortcutDescription
the Add buttonAlt+InsertCreate a run/debug configuration.
the Remove buttonAlt+DeleteDelete the selected run/debug configuration. Note that you cannot delete default configurations.
CopyCtrl+DCreate a copy of the selected run/debug configuration. Note that you create copies of default configurations.
Save configurationThe button is displayed only when you select a temporary configuration. Click this button to save a temporary configuration as permanent.
Edit TemplatesView and edit the template (that is, the default run/debug configuration settings). The templates are displayed under the Templates node and used for newly created configurations.
Method up/ Method downAlt+Up/ Alt+Down

Move the selected run/debug configuration up and down in the list.

The order of configurations in the list defines the order, in which the configurations appear when you choose a run/debug configuration.

Default templates of run/debug configurations are always sorted alphabetically.

Move into new folder / Create new folder

Move into new folder / Create new folder. You can group run/debug configurations by placing them into folders.

To create a folder, select the configurations within a category, click Folder, and specify the folder name. If only a category is in focus, an empty folder is created.

Then, to move a configuration into a folder, between the folders or out of a folder, use drag or Move Up and Move Down buttons.

To remove grouping, select a folder and click Remove Configuration.

Sort configurations Click this button to sort configurations in the alphabetical order.

Before Launch

In this area, you can specify tasks to be performed before starting the selected run/debug configuration. The tasks are performed in the order they appear in the list.

ItemShortcutDescription
the Add buttonAlt+Insert

Click this icon to add one of the following available tasks:

  • Run External tool: select to run an external application. In the dialog that opens, select one or multiple applications you want to run. If it is not defined in IntelliJ IDEA yet, add its definition. For more information, see External tools and External Tools.

  • Run Another Configuration: select to execute another run/debug configuration. In the dialog that opens, select the configuration to be run.

  • Build: select to compile the specified module. The Build Module command will be executed.

    If an error occurs during compilation, IntelliJ IDEA won't attempt to start the run/debug configuration.

  • Build Project: select to compile the entire project. The Build Project command will be executed.

    If an error occurs during compilation, IntelliJ IDEA won't attempt to start the run/debug configuration.

  • Build, no error check: the same as the Build option, but IntelliJ IDEA will try to start the run/debug configuration irrespective of the compilation results.

  • Build Artifacts: select this option to build an artifact or artifacts. In the dialog that opens, select the artifact or artifacts that should be built.

  • Launch Web Browser: select this option to have a browser started. In the dialog that opens, select the type of the browser and provide the start URL. Also, specify if you want the browser be launched with JavaScript debugger.

  • Run Ant target: select this option to run an Ant target. In the dialog that opens, select the target to be run.

  • Run Grunt task: select this option to run a Grunt task.

    In the Grunt task dialog that opens, specify the Gruntfile.js where the required task is defined, select the task to execute, and specify the arguments to pass to the Grunt tool.

    Specify the location of the Node.js interpreter, the parameters to pass to it, and the path to the grunt-cli package.

  • Run Gulp task: select this option to run a Gulp task.

    In the Gulp task dialog that opens, specify the Gulpfile.js where the required task is defined, select the task to execute, and specify the arguments to pass to the Gulp tool.

    Specify the location of the Node.js interpreter, the parameters to pass to it, and the path to the gulp package.

  • Run Maven Goal: select this option to run a Maven goal. In the dialog that opens, select the goal to be run.

  • Run npm Script: select this option to execute an npm script.

    In the NPM Script dialog that opens, specify the npm run/debug configuration settings.
  • Compile TypeScript: select to run the built-in TypeScript compiler and thus make sure that all the changes you made to your TypeScript code are reflected in the generated JavaScript files. In the TypeScript Compile Settings dialog that opens, select or clear the Check errors checkbox to configure the behaviour of the compiler in case any errors are detected:

    • If the Check errors checkbox is selected, the compiler will show all the errors and the run configuration will not start.

    • If the Check errors checkbox is cleared, the compiler will show all the detected errors but the run configuration still will be launched.

  • Generate CoffeeScript Source Maps: select this option to generate the source maps for your CoffeeScript sources. In the dialog that opens, specify where your CoffeeScript source files are located.

  • Run Remote External tool: adds a remote SSH external tool.

  • Run Rake task: add a Rake task to be executed prior to running or debugging. To choose a Rake task, click the browse button the Browse button, and select the desired task from the list of available tasks.

    Note that code completion is available here.

    Code completion for the Rake tasks

  • Run JRuby compiler: choose this option to execute JRuby compiler with the specified target path, compiler process heap size, and command line parameters (if any).

the Remove buttonAlt+DeleteClick this icon to remove the selected task from the list.
EditEnterClick this icon to edit the selected task. Make the necessary changes in the dialog that opens.
Method up/ Method downAlt+Up/ Alt+DownClick these icons to move the selected task one line up or down in the list. The tasks are performed in the order that they appear in the list.
Show this pageSelect this checkbox to show the run/debug configuration settings prior to actually starting the run/debug configuration.
Activate tool window

By default this checkbox is selected and the Run or the Debug tool window opens when you start the run/debug configuration.

Otherwise, if the checkbox is cleared, the tool window is hidden. However, when the configuration is running, you can open the corresponding tool window for it yourself by pressing Alt+4 or Alt+5.

Last modified: 14 April 2021