No Developer tools

• my JS runs on the server
• can't watch it running
• old IE6 times...

Not all hope is lost

Node.js' built in debugger

node debug app.js

For hardcore MUD users

Running Node.js in debug mode

node --debug app.js
              

node --debug-brk app.js
              

not really useful on it's own

works best when combined with V8 tools

Hmmm,
but V8 is used as well in Chrome...

npm install node-inspector -g
node --debug-brk app.js
node-inspector
              

• can't debug yet unread files
• use debugger; statement to stop flow

From console to browser

To IDE

• use update site: http://chromedevtools.googlecode.com/svn/update/dev/
• install Google Chrome Developer Tools extension
• create debug configuration "Standalone V8 VM" on port 5858

• bit awkward to use, but still handy

IntelliJ (PHP/Web)Storm

• paid :(
• full blown-debugger
• one-click Node.js run and debug

• free :)
• pretty good debugger
• uses Github/Bitbucket-based project
• can run Node.js for you on hosted machine
• give it a try, it's getting better and better

Takeaways

• node --debug-brk app.js
• debugger; statement to force breakpoints
• use V8 debugger (CLI, node-inspector, Eclipse)
• or use IDE which can run Node (WebStorm, Cloud9)