PhpStorm 2018.2 Help

Browser Debugging Extensions

In order to start debugging, you first need to activate the debugger engine on the server. To do this, you need to set a special GET/POST or COOKIE parameter (see the Xdebug and Zend Debugger official documentation for details). While you can do it manually, it is more convenient to use a browser extension, which lets you enable the debugger with a single click.

The following table lists the available debugging extensions.

Chrome

Firefox

Internet Explorer

Safari

Opera

Xdebug

Xdebug Helper

The easiest Xdebug or Xdebug Helper

PhpStorm bookmarklets generator

Xdebug Toggler

Xdebug launcher

Zend Debugger

zDebug or Zend Debugger Toolbar

Zend Debugger Toolbar

If you use Zend Server (version 7 or higher), you can use Z-Ray for debugging. Otherwise, use the PhpStorm bookmarklets generator.

To configure Xdebug Helper for Chrome

  1. Install the Xdebug helper extension for Chrome from the Chrome Web Store.

  2. In PhpStorm, enable listening to incoming debug connections by either clicking php icons debug listen off on the toolbar or selecting Run | Start Listening for PHP Debug Connections

  3. Initiate connection from the browser side. Click the Xdebug Helper icon on the browser toolbar to initiate a debugging, profiling or tracing session:

    ps xdebug helper chrome
  4. As a rule, no further configuration is required. If necessary, you can explore additional settings by right-clicking the Xdebug Helper icon and choosing Options from the context menu.

    ps xdebug helper chrome settings

To configure Zend Debugger Toolbar for Firefox

  1. Install Zend Debugger Toolbar.

  2. In PhpStorm, enable listening to incoming debug connections by either clicking php icons debug listen off on the toolbar or selecting Run | Start Listening for PHP Debug Connections

  3. In the browser, click the Zend Debugger icon on the toolbar and select Settings. Make sure that Autodetect is selected, and the Broadcasting port value matches the value set for Settings broadcasting port on the Debug page in PhpStorm.

    ps zend debugger extension
  4. Initiate connection from the browser side. Click the Zend Debugger icon on the browser toolbar to initiate a debugging or profiling session:

    ps zend debugger firefox settings
Last modified: 21 November 2018

See Also