PyDebugVisualizer

Visualize Python data structures during debugging in VS Code.

Features

• Interactive Graph Visualization: View your Python objects, lists, dictionaries, and their relationships as interactive graphs
• Memory State Tracking: See how your data structures evolve during debugging
• Diff Visualization: Highlight changes between debug steps (additions in green, deletions in red, modifications in orange)
• Seamless Integration: Works with VS Code's built-in Python debugger

Requirements

• Visual Studio Code 1.106.0 or higher
• Python extension for VS Code
• A Python project with debugging configured

Installation

1. Install the extension from the VS Code Marketplace
2. Open a Python project in VS Code
3. Start debugging your Python code

Usage

Starting a Debug Session

1. Open a Python file in VS Code
2. Set breakpoints by clicking in the gutter (left of line numbers)
3. Press F5 or click the Run and Debug button in the sidebar
4. Select Python File or your configured debug configuration

Viewing Memory Visualization

Once your debugger hits a breakpoint, you have three ways to open the visualization:

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut (Fastest)

• Press Ctrl+Shift+M (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+M (Mac)

Method 2: Activity Bar Icon

1. Look for the PyDebug Visualizer icon in the Activity Bar (left sidebar)
2. Click on it to open the side panel
3. Click "Show Visualization" button

Method 3: Command Palette

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+P (Mac)
2. Type "PyDebugVisualizer: Show Visualization"
3. Press Enter

Understanding the Visualization

The visualization displays your Python objects as a graph:

• Nodes: Represent variables and objects in memory
• Edges: Show references between objects
• Colors:
  • 🟢 Green: New objects or variables added since the last step
  • 🔴 Red: Objects or variables removed since the last step
  • 🟠 Orange: References that have been modified
  • ⚪ White/Default: Unchanged objects

Interactive Controls

The visualization panel includes several controls:

• 🔄 Refresh: Update the visualization with the current debug state
• [ ] Center: Center and fit the graph to the viewport
• ➕ Zoom In: Zoom in on the graph
• ➖ Zoom Out: Zoom out from the graph

Tips

• Use step over (F10) or step into (F11) to see how your data evolves
• The visualization automatically updates when you step through code
• Complex structures with many objects may take a moment to render
• Click the refresh button if the visualization doesn't update automatically

Feedback & Issues

Found a bug or have a suggestion? Please report it on our GitHub repository.

License

MIT License - see LICENSE file for details