Set up remote debugging for Tomcat in Docker

Set up remote debugging in dockerized Tomcat

Start Container, stock tomcat 8.5 in this example

$  docker run \
    -eJPDA_OPTS="-agentlib:jdwp=transport=dt_socket,address=5005,server=y,suspend=n" \
    -p8080:8080 \
    -p5005:5005 \
    tomcat:8.5-jdk8 \
    catalina.sh jpda run

In IntelliJ, add a launch configuration w/ the following properties:

Template: Remote
Debugger Mode: Attach to remote JVM
Host: localhost
Port: 5005
Commandline Arguments for remote JVM: -agentlib:jdwp=transport=dt_socket,server=y,suspend=n,address=5005

Configuration in other debuggers/IDEs is basically the same.

Once the container is running, set a breakpoint / exception breakpoint & start the new launch configuration. The container now suspends once the breakpoint is hit & the stack is visible in your IDE.

wwerner/docker-tomcat_remote-debugging.adoc

Set up remote debugging in dockerized Tomcat