Show HN: BugStalker - a modern Rust debugger
14 comments
·April 25, 2025bobajeff
Does this have a machine interface mode like gdb/lldb? Asking because I like my debuggers to be integrated with my code editor of choice which is usually done via such an interface.
godzie
Unfortunately no, but it's a good idea. I'll definitely look into this feature.
otherayden
Best of luck with this project. I'm not even a rust dev but I came to say that I love this name
gitroom
Honestly this wouldve helped me a ton when I got stuck with async errors before, Rust debugging always felt tougher than it should be.
dathinab
yeah I mean you are basically stuck with a few options
- use C/C++ focused debugers with a rust plugin or similar (okay, not not compared to idk. debugging python in PyStorm)
- rely on tracing/logging and errors reported (which might sound dump as it's basically "not" debugging, but with how the rust type system plays out and enforcement of reasonable decent code style/structure etc. this is quite often good enough)
- write/extend tests (again a form of "not" debugging, but where while a "must have" even if you pinned down the bug using a debugger)
- sprinkle in dbg! statements (basically print line debugging)
The fact that it took like 10? yearts for anyone to write more then just tweeks to C/C++ debuggers even through rust has a lot of enthusiasts is I think telling ;)
Still it looks like a real nice tool to have in your toolbox.
meisel
I’m surprised this isn’t getting more love. My experience with other debuggers with Rust was quite poor, I hope this one can fare much better. For example, I couldn’t call functions with previous debuggers
giancarlostoro
BugStomper would have also been a great name choice. ;)
rob74
Better than the current one - first, stalking is not really a verb that comes to mind when I think about bugs, and second, it has pretty negative connotations...
bfrog
Been hoping someone would make this, looks great!
I guess I’m next hoping someone gets it working using jtag/swd debug probes for embedded targets :)
goku12
Would something like this work for you? https://probe.rs/
godzie
BS is a modern debugger for Linux x86-64. Written in Rust for Rust programs.
Async Rust support – debug async code with new commands: - async backtrace – inspect async task backtraces - async task – view task details - async stepover / async stepout – better control over async execution
Enhanced variable inspection: - argd / vard – print variables and arguments using Debug trait
Other: - new `call` Command – execute functions directly in the debugged program - `trigger` Command – fine-grained control over breakpoints - new project Website – better docs and resources
…and much more!
Full Changelog: https://github.com/godzie44/BugStalker/releases/tag/v0.3.0
Documentation & Demos: https://godzie44.github.io/BugStalker/
is this necessarily linux for dependency reasons, or could it be on OSX in the future?