# Multiprocess debugging

> **TL;DR**
> Required plugins:
>
>
>
> `JavaScript and TypeScript` -    the plugin is bundled with IntelliJ IDEA and enabled by default.
>
>
>
> `Node.js`, `JavaScript Debugger` -    install the plugins on the Settings | Plugins page, tab Marketplace.     The plugins are available only in IntelliJ IDEA with the Ultimate subscription.

With IntelliJ IDEA, you can debug additional Node.js processes that are launched by the [child_process.fork() method](https://nodejs.org/api/child_process.html#child_process_child_process_fork_modulepath_args_options) or by the [cluster module](https://nodejs.org/api/cluster.html). Such processes are shown as threads in the Frames pane on the Debugger tab of the [Debug tool window](debug-tool-window.html).

![Node.js application: Multi-process debugging](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.2/ws_node_multiprocess.png)

Procedure:

1. Set the [breakpoints](using-breakpoints.html) in the processes to debug.

2. Create a Node.js run/debug configuration as described in [Running and Debugging Node.js](running-and-debugging-node-js.html#Node.js_run).

3. From the Run widget list on the toolbar, select the newly created  configuration and click ![the Debug button](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.2/app.expui.run.debug.svg) next to it.

The [Debug tool window](debug-tool-window.html) opens and the Frames list shows the additional processes as threads as soon as they are launched.

To examine the data (variables, watches, and so on) for a process, select its thread in the list and view its data in the Variables and Watches panes. When you select another process, the contents of the panes are updated accordingly.