AWS Lambda enables developers to debug functions running in the cloud from VS Code IDE

AWS Lambda now supports remote debugging in Visual Studio Code (VS Code), enabling developers to debug their Lambda functions running in the cloud directly from their local IDE. With this new capability, developers can use familiar debugging tools like breakpoints, variable inspection, and step-through debugging with functions deployed in the cloud without modifying their existing development workflow, thus accelerating their serverless development process.

Developers building serverless applications with Lambda often need to test and debug cross-service integrations involving multiple AWS services that may be attached to Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) or require specific AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) permissions. Previously, in absence of tools to fully replicate the Lambda runtime environment and its interactions with other AWS services locally, developers had to rely on print statements, logs, and multiple iterative deployments to diagnose and resolve issues. With remote debugging in VS Code, developers can now debug the execution environment of the function running in the cloud with complete access to VPC resources and IAM roles and trace execution through entire service flows in the cloud. Developers can also quickly make updates to their function and test the changes. This launch eliminates the need for complex local debugging setups and repeated deployments, reducing the time to identify and fix issues from hours to minutes.

This feature is now available to all developers with the AWS Toolkit (v3.69.0 or later) installed on their VS Code, at no additonal cost. To get started, select a Lambda function in VS Code IDE and click “Invoke Remotely”. You can then start a remote debugging session with a single click. The AWS Toolkit will automatically download the function code, establish a secure debugging connection, and enable breakpoint setting. To learn more, visit the AWS News blog post, AWS Toolkit documentation, and Lambda developer guide.