AI Coder and AI debugger two-in-one: Zentara Code

Zentara Code is your all-in-one AI coding assistant and AI debugger, seamlessly integrated into Visual Studio Code. Whether you're writing new features or fixing bugs, Zentara Code streamlines the process by combining intelligent code generation with powerful runtime AI debugging capabilities.

More Info

📑 Table of Contents

• Overview
• Core Capabilities
• Detailed Debugging Operations
• Getting Started
• Quick Example
• Roadmap & Changelog
• Contributing
• License

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Overview

Zentara Code goes beyond simple code generation. It's an intelligent agent that can:

• Write code: Generate code based on your requirements.
• Use LLM to Debug autonomously: Utilize a full suite of runtime debugging tools to diagnose and fix issues in the code it writes, or in existing codebases.
• Integrate with VS Code: Seamlessly works within your VS Code environment, using its familiar debugging interfaces.

Zentara Code's powerful AI debugging operations are primarily utilized when it operates in Code Mode (for writing and then debugging code) and Debug Mode (for focused debugging tasks). For general information about Zentara Code's broader capabilities as a coding agent (forked from Roo-Code), please refer to the Roo-Code documentation at https://github.com/RooCodeInc/Roo-Code

This empowers developers by automating complex coding and debugging tasks, allowing for faster development cycles and more robust software.

Core Capabilities

• AI-Powered Code Generation & Modification:
  • Understands natural language prompts to create and modify code.
• Integrated Runtime AI Debugging:
  • Full Debug Session Control: Programmatically launches, and quits debugging sessions.
  • Precise Execution Control: Steps through code (over, into, out), sets execution pointers, and runs to specific lines.
  • Advanced Breakpoint Management: Sets, removes, and configures conditional, temporary, and standard breakpoints.
  • In-Depth State Inspection: Examines call stacks, inspects variables (locals, arguments, globals), and views source code in context.
  • Dynamic Code Evaluation: Evaluates expressions and executes statements during a debug session to understand and alter program state.
• Intelligent Exception Handling:
  • When a program or test run in a debugging session encounters an error or exception, Zentara Code can analyze the exception information from the debugger.
  • It then intelligently decides on the next steps, such as performing a stack trace, reading stack frame variables, or navigating up the call stack to investigate the root cause.
• Enhanced Pytest Debugging:
  • Zentara Code overrides the default pytest behavior of silencing assertion errors during test runs.
  • It catches these errors immediately, allowing for real-time, interactive debugging of pytest failures. Instead of waiting for a summary at the end, exceptions bubble up, enabling Zentara Code to react contextually (e.g., by inspecting state at the point of failure).
• Language-Agnostic Debugging:
  • Leverages the Debug Adapter Protocol (DAP) to debug any programming language that has a DAP-compliant debugger available in VS Code. This means Zentara Code is not limited to specific languages but can adapt to your project's needs.
• VS Code Native Experience: Integrates seamlessly with VS Code's debugging infrastructure, providing a familiar and powerful experience.

Detailed Debugging Operations

Zentara Code provides a rich set of granular AI debugging operations, allowing for precise control over the debugging process:

Session Management

• debug_launch: Starts a new AI debugging session for a specified program or test.
• debug_quit: Terminates the currently running program and exits the debugger.

Execution Control

• debug_continue: Resumes program execution until the next breakpoint or program end.
• debug_next: Executes the current line and stops at the next line in the current function (steps over calls).
• debug_step_in: Steps into a function call on the current line, or to the next line if no function call.
• debug_step_out: Continues execution until the current function returns, then stops.
• debug_jump: Changes the next line of code that will be executed within the current stack frame.
• debug_until: Continues program execution until it reaches a specified line number in the current source file.

Breakpoint Management

• debug_set_breakpoint: Adds a breakpoint at a specified location.
• debug_set_temp_breakpoint: Adds a temporary breakpoint that is removed after being hit once.
• debug_remove_breakpoint: Removes an existing breakpoint.
• debug_remove_all_breakpoints_in_file: Removes all breakpoints currently set in a specified source file.
• debug_disable_breakpoint: Disables an existing breakpoint without removing it.
• debug_enable_breakpoint: Re-enables a previously disabled breakpoint.
• debug_ignore_breakpoint: Sets or clears an ignore count for a breakpoint (skip N hits).
• debug_set_breakpoint_condition: Sets or clears the condition for an existing breakpoint.
• debug_get_active_breakpoints: Retrieves a list of all currently set breakpoints.

Stack & Source Inspection

• debug_stack_trace: Displays the current call stack of the paused program.
• debug_list_source: Displays lines of source code around the current execution point in a frame.
• debug_up: Moves the debugger's current focus one level up in the call stack.
• debug_down: Moves the debugger's current focus one level down in the call stack.
• debug_goto_frame: Changes the debugger's current focus to a specific stack frame by ID.
• debug_get_source: Retrieves the source code definition for an object, function, or class.

State Inspection & Evaluation

• debug_get_stack_frame_variables: Retrieves variables from specified scopes (Local, Arguments, etc.) within a frame.
• debug_get_args: Retrieves the arguments passed to the function/method of a specified stack frame.
• debug_evaluate: Evaluates an arbitrary expression within the context of a specified stack frame.
• debug_pretty_print: Evaluates an expression and returns a formatted, human-readable string of its value.
• debug_whatis: Evaluates an expression and returns the type of the resulting value.
• debug_execute_statement: Executes a given statement (potentially with side effects) in a frame.

Status Information

• debug_get_last_stop_info: Retrieves the full body of the last "stopped" event from the debugger.

Getting Started

Zentara Code is a VS Code extension. Here's how you can get started:

1. Install from VS Code Marketplace (Recommended for Users)

• Open VS Code.
• Go to the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X or Cmd+Shift+X).
• Search for "Zentara Code".
• Click "Install".
• Once installed, Zentara Code will be available to assist you.

For more detailed installation instruction, please visit https://zentar.ai, click on the "Install for free" button.

2. Build and Install from Source (For Developers/Contributors)

If you want to contribute or run the latest development version:

• Clone the repository:

  git clone https://github.com/Zentar-Ai/Zentara-Code.git
  cd zentara-code
  

• Install dependencies: This project uses pnpm. Ensure you have Node.js npm , pnpm installed.

  pnpm install
  

• Build the extension:

  pnpm vsix
  

  This will typically compile the TypeScript code and package the extension into a .vsix file in a bin/ directory.

• Install the .vsix file in VS Code:

  1. Go to the Extensions view in VS Code.
  2. Click the "..." (More Actions) menu in the top-right corner of the Extensions view.
  3. Select "Install from VSIX..."
  4. Navigate to and select the generated .vsix file.

Quick Example

Important: This extension has been validated with Google Gemini 2.5 Pro (build 0506). Other models are not fully supported because they cannot invoke the function tool reliably.

Here are a few examples of how you can use Zentara Code to debug different types of projects. The example scripts (quicksort_buggy.py, test_quicksort_pytest.py, merge_sort_buggy.js, insertion_sort_buggy.ts, etc.) mentioned in these tutorials can be found in the testdata/ directory of this repository. These tutorials are condensed versions; for more detailed step-by-step guides, please refer to the corresponding markdown files in the testdata/ directory (e.g., debugging_demo.md, debugging_demo_pytest.md).

1. Debugging a Python Script

This tutorial demonstrates debugging a standard Python script. We'll use an example of a buggy quicksort algorithm.

Scenario: You have a Python script, quicksort_buggy.py, that isn't sorting correctly.

a. Prepare Your Workspace:

• Ensure testdata/quicksort_buggy.py (or your target script) is in your workspace.
• (Optional) Create a copy to debug, e.g., testdata/quicksort_buggy.debug.py.

b. Initiate AI Debugging with Zentara Code: Instruct Zentara Code (e.g., in Code Mode or Debug Mode): "Zentara, start debugging testdata/quicksort_buggy.debug.py" (Zentara Code would use debug_launch with program: "testdata/quicksort_buggy.debug.py")

c. Observe Initial Behavior (Optional): "Zentara, continue execution and let me know what happens." (Zentara Code uses debug_continue) The script might run to completion, show errors, or fail assertions.

d. Set Breakpoints & Investigate: Assume an error occurs related to sorting an empty list. "Zentara, restart the debug session for testdata/quicksort_buggy.debug.py. Set a breakpoint at the beginning of the quick_sort function in testdata/quicksort_buggy.debug.py. Also, set a breakpoint where quick_sort is called for an empty list scenario (likely within the script's own test harness). Continue execution until the breakpoint for the empty list call is hit." (Zentara Code uses debug_restart, debug_set_breakpoint, then debug_continue)

e. Step Through and Inspect: Once paused: "Zentara, I'm at the breakpoint.

1. What are the arguments being passed to quick_sort?
2. Now, step into the quick_sort function." (Zentara Code uses debug_evaluate or debug_get_args, then debug_step_in)

Inside quick_sort: "Zentara, step through the function line by line. Show me the values of low, high, and arr at each step." (Zentara Code uses debug_next repeatedly, with debug_evaluate or debug_get_stack_frame_variables)

f. Diagnose the Bug: Based on the debugger's output, you might identify the cause. "Zentara, it seems the base case for empty lists in quick_sort is not handled correctly."

2. AI Debugging Python with Pytest

This tutorial shows how to debug Python code using pytest.

Scenario: You have quicksort_buggy.py and a test_quicksort_pytest.py file containing tests for it.

a. Prepare Your Workspace:

• Ensure both testdata/quicksort_buggy.py and testdata/test_quicksort_pytest.py are present.
• It's good practice to have tests import from a copy, e.g., testdata/quicksort_buggy.debug.py. Create this copy.

b. Initiate Pytest Debugging: "Zentara, debug the tests in testdata/test_quicksort_pytest.py using pytest." (Zentara Code uses debug_launch with program: "testdata/test_quicksort_pytest.py", `mode: "pytest"')

c. Observe Initial Test Failures: "Zentara, continue execution and report the pytest results." (Zentara Code uses debug_continue) Pytest will report failing tests.

d. Set Breakpoints & Investigate a Failing Test: Assume test_empty_list in testdata/test_quicksort_pytest.py fails. "Zentara, restart the pytest debug session for testdata/test_quicksort_pytest.py, stopping at entry. Set a breakpoint in testdata/test_quicksort_pytest.py where the quick_sort logic is called for test_empty_list. Also, set a breakpoint at the start of the quick_sort function in testdata/quicksort_buggy.debug.py. Continue execution." (Zentara Code uses debug_restart, debug_set_breakpoint (for test and source file), then debug_continue)

e. Step Through Test and Source Code: When paused in the test file: "Zentara, step into the call that leads to quick_sort." (Zentara Code uses debug_step_in)

Once inside quick_sort in testdata/quicksort_buggy.debug.py: "Zentara, step through quick_sort line by line, showing key variables, to see why test_empty_list is failing." (Zentara Code uses debug_next and variable inspection tools)

f. Diagnose the Bug: By observing the runtime behavior of testdata/quicksort_buggy.debug.py as called by the test, you can identify the bug.

3. AI Debugging a JavaScript Script

This tutorial covers debugging a typical JavaScript (e.g., Node.js) script. We'll use a buggy Merge Sort example.

Scenario: You have merge_sort_buggy.js that produces incorrect output.

a. Prepare Your Workspace:

• Ensure testdata/merge_sort_buggy.js is available.
• (Optional) Create a copy, e.g., testdata/merge_sort_buggy.debug.js.

b. Initiate JavaScript Debugging: "Zentara, start debugging testdata/merge_sort_buggy.debug.js" (Zentara Code uses debug_launch with program: "testdata/merge_sort_buggy.debug.js" and stopOnEntry: true)

c. Observe Initial Output: "Zentara, continue and show me the output." (Zentara Code uses debug_continue)

d. Set Breakpoints & Investigate: Suppose an array [5, 2, 8, 1, 9, 4] is sorted incorrectly. "Zentara, restart debugging for testdata/merge_sort_buggy.debug.js. Set a breakpoint at the start of the mergeSort function in testdata/merge_sort_buggy.debug.js. Set another breakpoint where mergeSort is called with [5, 2, 8, 1, 9, 4] (within the script's test calls). Continue." (Zentara Code uses debug_restart, debug_set_breakpoint, debug_continue)

e. Step Through and Inspect (Focus on merge): When paused: "Zentara, step into mergeSort. Then, when execution reaches the merge function, step through that line by line. Show me left, right, result, leftIndex, and rightIndex." (Zentara Code uses debug_step_in, debug_next within merge, and variable inspection)

f. Diagnose the Bug: This detailed inspection, especially of the merge function's logic, will help identify the bug.

4. AI Debugging a TypeScript Script

This tutorial shows debugging a TypeScript script, which involves a compilation step.

Scenario: You have insertion_sort_buggy.ts with a faulty sorting algorithm.

a. Compile TypeScript to JavaScript: "Zentara, compile testdata/insertion_sort_buggy.ts using tsc." (Zentara Code would use execute_command with command: "tsc testdata/insertion_sort_buggy.ts") This creates testdata/insertion_sort_buggy.js.

b. Initiate Debugging on Compiled JS: "Zentara, debug the compiled testdata/insertion_sort_buggy.js" (Zentara Code uses debug_launch with program: "testdata/insertion_sort_buggy.js")

c. Observe Initial Assertion Failures: "Zentara, continue execution and report any assertion failures." (Zentara Code uses debug_continue)

d. Set Breakpoints & Investigate: If an assertion for a test array fails: "Zentara, restart debugging for testdata/insertion_sort_buggy.js. Set a breakpoint at the start of the insertionSort function (in testdata/insertion_sort_buggy.js). Set another where insertionSort is called for the failing test case (within the script's test calls). Continue." (Zentara Code uses debug_restart, debug_set_breakpoint, debug_continue)

e. Step Through and Inspect: When paused: "Zentara, step into insertionSort. Step line by line, showing i, j, current, and arr." (Zentara Code uses debug_step_in, debug_next, and variable inspection tools on the JavaScript code)

f. Diagnose the Bug: By stepping through the compiled JavaScript and observing its runtime behavior, you can diagnose the issue in the original TypeScript logic.

Example Autonomous Debugging Prompts for Zentara Code

The Quick Tutorials above show a step-by-step, interactive debugging process. However, you can also instruct Zentara Code to debug more autonomously. Here are some example high-level prompts based on the scenarios in the testdata/ directory:

1. For General Python Script (testdata/quicksort_buggy.py):

"Zentara, the script testdata/quicksort_buggy.py is not working correctly. Please debug it using your runtime analysis tools. Identify any bugs, explain them, and then try to fix the script. After applying fixes, verify if the corrected script passes its internal assertions."

2. For Python with Pytest (testdata/test_quicksort_pytest.py and testdata/quicksort_buggy.py):

"Zentara, the pytest tests in testdata/test_quicksort_pytest.py are failing when testing testdata/quicksort_buggy.py. Please use your pytest debugging mode to investigate these failures. Pinpoint the bugs in testdata/quicksort_buggy.py based on the test results and runtime analysis. Explain the bugs, then attempt to fix testdata/quicksort_buggy.py and confirm if the tests pass." (Remember to have Zentara Code create a copy like quicksort_buggy.debug.py to modify, or instruct it to do so.)

3. For JavaScript Script (testdata/merge_sort_buggy.js):

"Zentara, testdata/merge_sort_buggy.js has a bug in its merge sort implementation. Please debug this script. Use your runtime debugging tools to find the issue, explain it clearly, and then try to correct the merge_sort_buggy.js file. Verify your fix."

4. For TypeScript Script (testdata/insertion_sort_buggy.ts):

"Zentara, the TypeScript script testdata/insertion_sort_buggy.ts needs debugging. First, compile it to JavaScript. Then, debug the compiled JavaScript output to find any bugs in the insertion sort logic. Explain the problems you discover, suggest fixes for the original .ts file, and if possible, apply and test them."

These prompts give Zentara Code more leeway to decide on the specific debugging steps (breakpoints, stepping, inspection) needed to solve the problem.

Python Debugging Setup (Important)

For Zentara Code to effectively debug Python projects, especially those using Conda environments or specific pytest installations, ensure the correct Python interpreter is configured in your VS Code settings (.vscode/settings.json):

{
	"python.defaultInterpreterPath": "/path/to/your/conda/env/bin/python"
}

Replace /path/to/your/conda/env/bin/python with the actual path to your Python interpreter.

Roadmap & Changelog

We're constantly evolving Zentara Code. Check out our issue tracker for our public roadmap and planned features. If you're looking to contribute, good first issue labels are a great place to start!

Contributing

Zentara Code thrives on community involvement! We welcome contributions of all kinds.

• Issue Tracker
• Code of Conduct

Follow Us

Follow us on Twitter: @ZentaraCode

License

Zentara Code is licensed under the Apache License 2.0.

© 2025 ZentarAI

This project is a fork of ZentaraCodeInc/Zentara-Code). We gratefully acknowledge all contributions made to the original project.