Can’t connect VSCode debugger to remote docker container running locally with NextJS? Don’t Panic!

Are you stuck trying to connect your VSCode debugger to a remote Docker container running locally with NextJS? Well, you’re in luck! This article is here to guide you through the process with clear and direct instructions, so you can get back to coding in no time.

Prerequisites

Before we dive into the solution, make sure you have the following setup:

• Docker installed on your local machine
• VSCode installed with the Docker extension
• A NextJS project running in a Docker container locally
• A basic understanding of Docker and VSCode

Step 1: Create a Docker Compose File

First, let’s create a docker-compose.yml file in the root of your project. This file will define the services and configurations for our Docker container.

version: '3'
services:
  app:
    build: .
    ports:
      - "3000:3000"
    environment:
      - NODE_ENV=development
      - CHOKIDAR_USEPOLLING=true
      - FAST_REFRESH=true
    volumes:
      - ./:/app
    command: npm run dev

This file defines a service called app that builds the Docker image from the current directory, maps port 3000, sets environment variables, and mounts the current directory as a volume.

Step 2: Create a Debug Configuration in VSCode

Next, let’s create a debug configuration in VSCode. Open the Command Palette in VSCode by pressing Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Shift + P (Mac). Type “Debug: Open Config” and select the option to open the launch.json file.

In the launch.json file, add the following configuration:

{
  "version": "0.2.0",
  "configurations": [
    {
      "name": "Docker: NextJS",
      "type": "node",
      "request": "attach",
      "port": 9229,
      "remoteRoot": "/app",
      "localRoot": "${workspaceFolder}",
      "outFiles": ["${workspaceFolder}/.next/**/*"]
    }
  ]
}

This configuration tells VSCode to attach to a Node.js process running in a Docker container on port 9229, map the remote root directory to the local project directory, and specify the output files.

Step 3: Start the Docker Container with Remote Debugging

Now, let’s start the Docker container with remote debugging enabled. Run the following command in your terminal:

docker-compose up -d

This command starts the Docker container in detached mode. Next, we need to enable remote debugging by executing the following command:

docker-compose exec app node --inspect-brk=0.0.0.0:9229 node_modules/next/dist/bin/next

This command runs the NextJS development server with remote debugging enabled on port 9229.

Step 4: Attach the VSCode Debugger

Finally, let’s attach the VSCode debugger to the remote Docker container. Open the Debug Panel in VSCode by clicking on the debug icon in the left sidebar or pressing Ctrl + Shift + D (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Shift + D (Mac).

Select the “Docker: NextJS” configuration we created earlier and click the “Start Debugging” button or press F5. VSCode will attach to the remote Docker container and you’ll see the debugger pause at the first line of your NextJS application.

Debugger attached.
Waiting for the debugger to disconnect...

      

That’s it! You should now be able to debug your NextJS application running in a remote Docker container using VSCode.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter any issues, here are some common solutions:

1. Error: Cannot connect to the Docker daemon

   Solution: Make sure the Docker daemon is running on your machine and you have the necessary permissions to access it.

2. Error: Cannot find the Docker container

   Solution: Verify that the Docker container is running and the container name is correct in your docker-compose.yml file.

3. Error: Debugger failed to attach

   Solution: Check that the remote debugging port (9229) is not already in use by another process and that the Docker container is running with remote debugging enabled.

Conclusion

And there you have it! With these step-by-step instructions, you should now be able to connect your VSCode debugger to a remote Docker container running locally with NextJS. Remember to stay calm, follow the instructions carefully, and don’t hesitate to troubleshoot any issues that may arise. Happy coding!

Keywords: VSCode, Docker, NextJS, Remote Debugging, Debugging, Docker Container, Local Development, Development Environment.

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