pdbp
pdbp (Pdb+): A drop-in replacement for pdb and pdbpp.
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes. pdbp is stable (Production/Stable status), permissively licensed, has no known vulnerabilities, and adds real quality-of-life improvements to Python debugging with minimal install friction. The aging maintenance status (212 days since last release) is not a blocker for a mature debugger tool, but monitor the repository if you rely on it for critical work. Suitable for developers who spend significant time in the debugger.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.8 or later; works on CPython and PyPy.
- Low install friction with a pure Python wheel and three lightweight runtime dependencies (pygments, tabcompleter, colorama).
- Maintenance status is aging—last release was 212 days ago—but the repository remains active with recent commits and no archived status.
License · maintenance · safety
PSF (permissive) — Licensed under PSF (permissive), so you can use it freely in commercial and open-source projects without restriction.
last release 2026-01-14 (212 days) · last repo commit 2026-01-14 · 115 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 870,987 downloads/mo, #4,846 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install pdbp
# In your project's __init__.py:
import pdbp
# Or set environment variable:
# PYTHONBREAKPOINT=pdbp.set_trace
# Then trigger with:
# python -m pdbp script.py
# or pytest --pdb- Whether tab completion and sticky mode work equally well across all supported Python versions and platforms.
- Performance impact compared to standard pdb when debugging large or long-running applications.
- Compatibility with IDE debuggers and remote debugging scenarios.
What it is and what it does
pdbp is a drop-in replacement for Python's built-in pdb debugger that adds syntax highlighting, tab completion, and sticky mode (showing multiple lines of code context). It works across Windows, macOS, and Linux, and can be activated by importing it in your project, setting an environment variable, or calling pdbp.set_trace() directly. The package depends on pygments for syntax highlighting, colorama for cross-platform colored output, and tabcompleter for command-line completion.
The main value is in the user experience: sticky mode is enabled by default and shows you more context as you step through code, colors make it easier to read output, and tab completion speeds up typing commands. You can customize colors and behavior through pdb.DefaultConfig settings. The package is maintained by the SeleniumBase team and is used in production by other packages.
Use it for
- Debug Python scripts interactively with colored syntax highlighting and multi-line code context visible at each breakpoint.
- Use tab completion to quickly type debugger commands and variable names without memorizing exact syntax.
- Trigger post-mortem debugging after test failures in pytest with --pdb flag to inspect the failure state.
- Customize debugger appearance (line colors, truncation) to match your terminal theme or preferences.
- Replace pdb globally in an existing project by importing pdbp in __init__.py without changing breakpoint code.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes.
pdbp is stable (Production/Stable status), permissively licensed, has no known vulnerabilities, and adds real quality-of-life improvements to Python debugging with minimal install friction. The aging maintenance status (212 days since last release) is not a blocker for a mature debugger tool, but monitor the repository if you rely on it for critical work. Suitable for developers who spend significant time in the debugger.
Install
pdbp on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with a pure Python wheel and three lightweight runtime dependencies (pygments, tabcompleter, colorama). Maintenance status is aging—last release was 212 days ago—but the repository remains active with recent commits and no archived status.
Requires Python 3.8 or later; works on CPython and PyPy.
License in practice
Licensed under PSF (permissive), so you can use it freely in commercial and open-source projects without restriction.
Quickstart
pip install pdbp
# In your project's __init__.py:
import pdbp
# Or set environment variable:
# PYTHONBREAKPOINT=pdbp.set_trace
# Then trigger with:
# python -m pdbp script.py
# or pytest --pdbVerify before relying
- Whether tab completion and sticky mode work equally well across all supported Python versions and platforms.
- Performance impact compared to standard pdb when debugging large or long-running applications.
- Compatibility with IDE debuggers and remote debugging scenarios.
Package facts
| License | PSF permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.8 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 3 packagespygmentstabcompletercolorama |
| Maintenance | Aging 212 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 870,987 / month, #4,846 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableEnvironment :: ConsoleEnvironment :: MacOS XEnvironment :: Win32 (MS Windows)Intended Audience :: DevelopersOperating System :: MacOS :: MacOS XOperating System :: Microsoft :: WindowsOperating System :: POSIX :: LinuxProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.14Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Programming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonProgramming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: PyPyTopic :: Scientific/EngineeringTopic :: Software DevelopmentTopic :: Software Development :: DebuggersTopic :: Software Development :: LibrariesTopic :: Software Development :: Quality AssuranceTopic :: Software Development :: TestingTopic :: Utilities |
Evidence: pdbp-1.8.2-py3-none-any.whl
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See also pdbpp · pdbr · pudb · web-pdb · ipdb · flake8-debugger · tabcompleter · pyxdia · rpdb · debugpy